Paul Wirt was one of the original developers of the first electric lighting companies of Bloomsburg.

On December 11, 1889 Paul Wirt and many other gentlemen, all of whom were prominent in the affairs of the county, received a charter from the governor, effected an organization under the name of Bloomsburg Electric Light and Power Company. They Purchased a lot at the northeast corner of the intersection of Eighth and Cathrine streets.

There they erected an electric light plant, the original equipment consisting of two small keeler boilers; two fifty horsepower Taylor Beck engines; two fifty kilowat Thompson Houston alternating generators one fifty light direct current Thompson-Houston arc generator, and a wooden panel switchboard.

A contract for lighting the streets of Bloomsburg was secured from the town council, pole lines and wires were erected throughtout the built up portion of the town, arc lights placed at the intersection of the principal thoroughfares.

The electric lights were first turned on April 1st, 1891. Truly a historic event in the advancement of Bloomsburg.