Dorchester Gas Light Company
Before the Edison Electric Illuminating Co. of Boston brought electric lighting, there was the Dorchester Gas Light Company.
The company was incorporated in 1854. “Gideon Beck, Alexander Pope, and Charles C. Harrington, their associates and successors, are hereby made a corporation, by the name of the Dorchester Gas Light Company, for the purpose of manufacturing and selling gas in the town of Dorchester. … Said corporation, with the consent of the selectmen of the town of Dorchester, shall have the power and authority to open the ground in any part of the streets, lanes, and highways, in said, for the purpose of sinking and repairing such pipes and conductors as it may be necessary. …”
In 1905 the Company was merged with others to form the Boston Consolidated Gas Company, which was a utility subsidiary of Massachusetts Gas Companies. In 1939 Massachusetts Gas Companies was succeeded by Eastern Gas and Fuel Associates. In later years other companies were merged with Boston Consolidated. In 1955 the name of the company became Boston Gas Company. By 1980 Boston Gas Company was the largest gas utility in New England. The company became part Keyspan and is now part of National Grid.
The 1874 atlas shows a large facility owned by the Dorchester Gas Light Company at Freeport Street just east of the intersection with Dorchester Avenue on the shore side of Freeport Street.
There is also a gasometer near Franklin Court and Clapp Street and another gasometer at Adams Village (now part of the Eire Pub).
The maps from 1874 through 1904 show that The Boston Gas Light Company owned the facilities at Commercial Point.