Near Hampton in Franklin County, Iowa — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)
Power To The People
Rural Electrification Act of 1936
Photographed By Lugnuts, May 1, 2021
1. Power To The People Marker
1936 The Rural Electrification Act (R.E.A.) signed by President Franklin Roosevelt provided loans for the purpose of construction of rural electrical generating plants.
1937, Feb. 10 - The Federated R.E.A. was incorporated forming together Butler, Franklin, Hardin, Grundy, Wright and Hancock Counties in Iowa. The Reeve power plant was built over the long, cold winter of 1937-38 by the Welden Brothers Construction Company of Iowa Falls.
1938, Mar. 23 - This plant became the first rural power plant west of the Mississippi River to energize the farmer owned lines.
Rural America was delivered out of darkness by the REA-Co-op Partnership. The rural farms powered by the electricity rapidly modernized their operations and lifestyles. Electric lights replaced lamps and lanterns. Appliances and machinery provided great labor savings and increased farm productivity. American industry grew stronger by manufacturing and selling more electric appliances and machinery to meet the needs of rural America.
Erected by Franklin County Historical Society.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Industry & Commerce. In addition, it is included in the Rural Electrification 💡 series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1936.
Location.
this page online
Other nearby markers. At least 5 other markers are within 13 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Franklin County Pioneers (approx. 3½ miles away); The Old Stone House (approx. 3½ miles away); Coulter Freedom Rock Veterans Memorial (approx. 7.8 miles away); Ackley, Iowa Veterans Memorial (approx. 12.9 miles away); Ackley Freedom Rock Veterans Memorial (approx. 12.9 miles away).
Regarding Power To The People. This was the first rural cooperative electrical power generation station west of the Mississippi River. With the creation of the Rural Electrification Administration, the increase in farms with electricity went from 11% to over 77%.
The plant fell into disuse in 1950, but remained intact. It came into private hands and after most of the equipment was removed, it was turned over to the Franklin County Historical Society. Today, this important artifact in the history of rural electrification is a museum that, as of this writing, is only open by appointment.
Also see . . . Step inside Iowa’s REA Power Plant Museum. (Submitted on May 5, 2021.)
Photographed By Lugnuts, May 1, 2021
2. Power To The People Marker
The marker is attached to a concrete pillar that appears old enough to be original to the building, but if it is original, I do not know what service it provided. Four more pillars are in front of the building.
Photographed By Lugnuts, May 1, 2021
3. Reeve Electric Association Plant Museum
The plant is decommissioned but the sub station to the east of the building is very active. As a result, the entire property is surrounded by security fence. The four pillars in front of the building display the name of the museum and the letters R E A for Rural Electrification Administration.
Credits. This page was last revised on August 9, 2023. It was originally submitted on May 4, 2021, by Lugnuts of Germantown, Wisconsin. This page has been viewed 117 times since then and 17 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on May 4, 2021, by Lugnuts of Germantown, Wisconsin. 2, 3. submitted on May 5, 2021, by Lugnuts of Germantown, Wisconsin. • Mark Hilton was the editor who published this page.
