From 1871 to 1900 Southboro Center, Cordaville, Southville and later, Fayville, were illuminated by street lamps. The number and location of the lamps in each village was determined by the road commissioners, and they were lighted and put in place by the citizens.

Negotiations for electric street lighting had been in progress for some time when in November, 1900, the committee chosen for that purpose was instructed by “to negotiate further with the Marlborough Electric Light Company for the purpose of getting better terms and prices”, and, “to get estimates of methods of establishing and maintaining a municipal electric light plant”. The installation of a town-owned lighting plant was apparently deemed inadvisable since on December 6, the selectmen were authorized to “make the most advantageous contract they can with whatever company they see fit, to light the streets of Southborough Center and the public buildings”. On December 15, 1900, the first order of location granted to the Marlborough Electric Company by the selectmen authorized the erection and wiring of poles for the installation of street lights along Main Street from the end of the Boston Road and the beginning of Newton Street, west to the junction of Northborough and Westborough Roads; a short distance on each of Latisquama, Middle, and Deerfoot Roads; and along Marlboro Road as far as St. Mark’s School. Street lights were extended to Fayville in 1903, and to Cordaville and Southville in 1908.