Near Highland in Utah County, Utah — The American Mountains (Southwest)

Upper American Fork Hydroelectric Power Plant

Photographed by Connor Olson, April 17, 2021

1. Upper American Fork Hydroelectric Power Plant Marker

Inscription. Located in American Fork Canyon just east of Highland and constructed in 1906-1907, the facility is significant because of its association with the development of early hydroelectric power in northern Utah County. The plant was one of four electric generating stations built to supply power to the towns of American Fork, Lehi, and Pleasant Grove, as well as industries within the general vicinity. Of the four plants, this is the only one existing. It was designed by engineers Willard Young and Frank Kelsey and built by the Utah County Light and Power Company; it features a simple design that was common of plants built by power companies in the early 1900s. The powerhouse is the key feature of the power plant facility. Abutting the canyon wall, the powerhouse is a T-shaped, brick structure with a concrete foundation and a hipped roof. The powerhouse is in excellent condition and retains its historic integrity.

Erected 2009 by Utah Division of State History.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Industry & Commerce. A significant historical year for this entry is 1906.

Location. 40° 26.269′ N, 111° 43.392′ W.

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Marker is near Highland, Utah, in Utah County. It is on Utah Route 92, on the left when traveling east. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: American Fork UT 84003, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the Wasatch Front

and in Greater Provo.

It is also in the American Mountain West

and on the Colorado Plateau.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Rocky Mountains,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain

and also Mexico’s Alta California.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 3 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Native Restoration (approx. 0.8 miles away); A Shared Effort (approx. one mile away); American Fork Weir (approx. 1.6 miles away); Moyle House & Indian Tower (approx. 3 miles away); John Rowe Moyle in First Handcart Company (approx. 3 miles away); The Great Trek (approx. 3 miles away); John Rowe Moyle Tower Home and Surroundings (approx. 3 miles away); John Rowe Moyle (approx. 3 miles away).

Photographed by Connor Olson, April 17, 2021

2. Upper American Fork Hydroelectric Power Plant Marker

Marker is mounted on the wall to the left of the entrance doors.

Upper American Fork Hydroelectric Power Plant image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Connor Olson, April 17, 2021

3. Upper American Fork Hydroelectric Power Plant

Credits. This page was last revised on April 28, 2021. It was originally submitted on April 20, 2021, by Connor Olson of Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin. This page has been viewed 421 times since then and 37 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on April 20, 2021, by Connor Olson of Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin. • Syd Whittle was the editor who published this page.