 The construction of a road to Republic then a flourishing mining camp in what was to become Ferry County was expected to increase traffic to Wilbur, but the expected benefit never materialized.After a July 5, 1901 fire destroyed several city blocks, causing $155,000 in damage ($3.9 million in 2017 dollars), a water works was established in 1903.Wilbur was electrically lighted in October 1903 by the Wilbur Electric Company.