Although Newport, Rhode Island, rightfully claims to be home to the first gas street light in the United States, Baltimore upped the game when the Maryland city established the first public gas utility in 1816. A few months later, on February 7, 1817, Baltimore installed and lit its first gaslight on North Holliday and East Baltimore Streets. Newport lit a residence; Baltimore intended to light a city! The brain behind illuminating Baltimore with gas was prominent American portraitist Rembrandt Peale, who is best known for his paintings of founding fathers…
