In March 1898, Algona voters approved a referendum to establish an electric light franchise by 67 yes votes to 59 no votes. There was a lot of skepticism of electricity as it was a “new-fangled idea.” A group of public-minded citizens of that time underwrote the project for $10,000 and accepted dividends in earnings from the newly built power plant, located at the corner of Hall and Call Streets, where the Algona City Hall now stands.