Early Lighting in Shelby: From Fat Lamps to Gasoline Street Lights

Before electricity, Shelby homes used lamps fueled by animal fat or fish oil. Later, the town installed gasoline-burning street lamps, but there were only a few, and they were spaced far apart, not on every corner. At first, lamps were placed about one block each way from the Court Square. As time passed, additional lamps were installed, extending about three blocks each way. A lamplighter went out nightly to refill and light them, though the chimneys were often not cleaned, giving poor light.

Source: Mamie Jones.