Franklin Electric Power Board Building (65 King Street)

The Franklin Electric Power Board (FEPB) was formally established in 1924 after years of searching for a feasible solution to offering consistent electricity to Pukekohe residents. On 1 August 1925, the Board opened a power plant on Neilson Street as well as one in Waiuku. From this time on, electricity was rapidly introduced to homes. The Nelson Street facility, called the Borough Generating Plant, no longer exists and today this site is occupied by Miller Reserve. The year 1925 also saw the establishment of a store, offices, and garages on 99 Manukau Road. The building can still be seen today.

In 1927, the FEPB decided to erect a second building on King Street. There were two design proposals, one by John Routly and another by Thomas S Cray. To this day it remains unclear whose design was chosen. The building was finished in 1928 and had an electrical appliance showroom downstairs and offices upstairs. It was the first place to sell electrically-powered products for the home. This building was occupied by the board until 1973, when they moved to Seddon Street.

Continue walking along King Street. Stop at 80 King Street and look at the building across the road.