The first gas works in Palmerston North were constructed by John Coates and Co. and consisted of 11 retorts and two gas holders. It was officially opened 23 February 1889. In 1891 the operation was sold to the Palmerston North Gas Company Ltd, who ran the business until 1915 when the Palmerston North Borough Council acquired the Gasworks. The first Gasworks became redundant after the construction of new gas works on Napier Road, which were opened 21 December 1923.