Laclede Gas Company
| Company type | Subsidiary |
|---|---|
| Industry | Natural gas utility |
| Predecessor | Laclede Gas Light Company |
| Founded | March 2, 1857 in Missouri, United States |
| Fate | Subsidiary of Spire Inc |
| Headquarters | St. Louis , United States |
Area served | St. Louis and ten counties in eastern Missouri |
| Products | Natural gas distribution, underground natural gas storage, propane storage and vaporization |
| Owner | Spire Inc |
| Parent | Spire Inc |
| Website | www |
Laclede Gas Company stands as Missouri's foremost utility for distributing natural gas, catering to around 632,000 customers across residential, commercial, and industrial sectors within St. Louis and ten counties in eastern Missouri. Beyond its primary role in gas distribution, Laclede Gas also operates an underground natural gas storage facility, a propane storage cavern, and propane vaporization units.
As a regulated public utility, Laclede Gas functions as a wholly owned subsidiary of Spire Inc (previously known as Laclede Group). Its main corporate offices are situated in the 700 Market building located in downtown St. Louis.
History
Initially established as the Laclede Gas Light Company, the enterprise leveraged the advancement of gas-powered street and household lighting, which supplanted earlier illumination methods such as candles and kerosene lamps prior to the widespread use of electric lighting. The company was officially chartered in Missouri on March 2, 1857, bearing the name of Pierre Laclède, the founder of St. Louis.
In 1905, North American Company—a conglomerate of public utilities—acquired St. Louis United Railways and reported ownership over Union Electric and Laclede Gas. However, by 1909, antitrust regulations under Missouri law compelled North American to divest Laclede Gas. The sale transferred ownership to a group of St. Louis investors led by G. H. Walker and Adolphus Busch for $7 million. While Walker planned to sell his shares afterward, Busch committed $1 million as an investment.
See also
- Erastus Wells, an early company president
- Spire Inc — formerly known as The Laclede Group Inc.