Charles Gilbert Gates

Charles Gilbert Gates (May 26, 1876 – October 29, 1913) of Minneapolis, Minnesota, was the owner of the first home in the United States where air conditioning was installed in 1914.^[1] He was the son of John Warne Gates, also known as "Bet-a-Million" Gates.^[1]

Charles Gilbert Gates in 1903

Charles Gilbert Gates mansion, first home in America to install air conditioning - Minneapolis, Minnesota

Biography

Charles Gilbert Gates was the son of John Warne Gates, a manufacturer of barbed wire. In July 1913 he drove from his home in Minneapolis to New York City, where he had a seat on the New York Stock Exchange. He died in his sleep in Cody, Wyoming, in 1913.^[2] After his death his home was completed and was the first to have air conditioning installed.^[1]