Niagara Falls in Niagara Region, Ontario — Central Canada (North America)

Wm. B. Rankine

Operating Station of Canadian Niagara Power Company, Limited

Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, July 19, 2017

1. Wm. B. Rankine Marker

Inscription. Built in 1901-05, it was the first Powerhouse on the Canadian side to produce electrical energy for commercial use and sale outside Niagara Falls. Its location takes advantage of the natural flow of the river which formerly entered here to flow around Cedar Island, which no longer exists.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Man-Made Features. A significant historical year for this entry is 1901.

Location. 43° 4.572′ N, 79° 4.717′ W. Marker is in Niagara Falls, Ontario, in Niagara Region. Marker is on Niagara Parkway, 0.2 kilometers north of Fraser Hill, on the right when traveling north. Marker is located on the pedestrian walkway overlooking the falls, just east of Parking Lot #1. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 6650 Niagara Parkway, Niagara Falls ON L2G, Canada. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. The Niagara Parks Commission / Commission Des Parcs Du Niagara (about 210 meters away, measured in a direct line); Niagara Falls Park and River Railway Powerhouse (about 210 meters away); José María Heredia (approx. 0.3 kilometers away); Table Rock House (approx. 0.4 kilometers away); Tightrope Walker Nik Wallenda (approx. 0.4 kilometers away); Niagara Park Greenhouses (approx.

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0.4 kilometers away); Toronto Power Generating Station (approx. 0.6 kilometers away); Table Rock (approx. 0.6 kilometers away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Niagara Falls.

More about this marker. Marker is a metal tablet, mounted near ground-level on a big rock near the path.

Also see . . . Canadian Niagara Power William Birch Rankine Hydro-electric Generating Station.
The powerhouse is located 1,500 feet upriver from the Falls. Water is diverted from the river by a concrete weir that extends into the river. The water is channeled into the fore bay and enters the penstocks (10’ 2” diameter) and plunges down 136 feet to the turbine below. The rotating turbine turns a 40” diameter steel shaft connected to the generator. The generators rotate at 250 revolutions per minute with a peripheral speed of 110 miles per hour. The generators produce the electricity. The water after leaving the turbines empties into a 25 foot high – 2,200 foot long discharge tunnel and discharges into the lower Niagara River at the base of the Horseshoe Falls. On September 30th 1905, William Rankine died, three days after the third generator was put into operation. (Submitted on April 10, 2018, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)

Wm. B. Rankine Marker (<i>wide view</i>) image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, July 19, 2017

2. Wm. B. Rankine Marker (wide view)

Niagara Falls Bird's Eye View of Falls, Power Houses, etc. from Falls View Station image. Click for full size.

Postcard published by the Hugh C. Leighton Co., Portland, Me., circa 1908

3. Niagara Falls Bird's Eye View of Falls, Power Houses, etc. from Falls View Station

Credits. This page was last revised on November 20, 2020. It was originally submitted on April 10, 2018, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 350 times since then and 45 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on April 10, 2018, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. 3. submitted on April 10, 2018. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.