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Private company

American Light and Traction

American energy supply company based in Detroit, founded in 19001

American Light and Traction was founded in 1900 for the purpose for consolidating the utility industry's small, local power suppliers. By 1901, American Light and Traction owned and controlled over 40 gas producing plants, electric light and traction (streetcar) properties.2 Wikipedia text CC BY-SA 4.0

Last updated Oct 21, 2026.

Overview

1900Founded1
  • Industryenergy supply1
  • HeadquartersDetroit1

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American Light and Traction was founded in 1900 for the purpose for consolidating the utility industry's small, local power suppliers. By 1901, American Light and Traction owned and controlled over 40 gas producing plants, electric light and traction (streetcar) properties.2

The story

1900 - founded by Emerson McMillin as president

1935 - enactment of Public Utility Holding Act forced break-up of company due to antitrust provisions regulating integrated utility companies

1938 - Michigan Consolidated Gas (MichCon) formed

1949 - Michigan Consolidated Gas, the Milwaukee Gas Company, the Michigan-Wisconsin Gas Company, the Austin Field Pipeline Company and the Milwaukee Solvay Company merge to become American Natural Gas Company

1981 - MichCon becomes wholly owned subsidiary of Primark

1988 - spun off

2001 - merger with DTE Energy

From Wikipedia’s article on American Light and Traction, shared under CC BY-SA 4.0.3

Products and brands

  • electricity

Listed on Wikidata.1

Timeline

  1. 1900Founded Founded1

Sources

The numbers on this page point here. Each one links to the record it came from.

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