Oscoda in Iosco County, Michigan — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
Cooke Hydroelectric Plant / Hydroelectric Power
Cooke Hydroelectric Plant
William Augustine Foote, a Jackson entrepreneur, built a series of hydroelectric plants along the Au Sable River with the help of his brother, electrical engineer James Berry Foote. The Footes enlisted the aid of civil engineer William Fargo and construction supervisor Grant Cochran, and in 1910 began constructing the Cooke Hydroelectric Plant. The first of six hydros built on the lower Au Sable River, the plant opened the following year. Its 140,000-volt transmission line (the highest voltage in use at that time) extended 125 miles to Flint. The facility was named for Andrew Cooke, a financier who accompanied the Footes on surveys of the Au Sable River and suggested this location for the plant.
Hydroelectric Power
Flowing water has long provided power to mines and mills. With advances in electricity in the 1800s, waterpower was soon used to generate electricity. The first public demonstration of hydroelectric power in the country occurred on July 24, 1880, when sixteen carbon arc street lamps lit up Grand Rapids using a belt driven dynamo (generator) powered by a water turbine at the Wolverine Chair Factory. Michigan´s extensive water resources were harnessed to power electric generating equipment first at existing dams and mills and later at sites built expressly for hydroelectric generation. The electricity from these plants provided power to homes and businesses and helped fuel Michigan´s growth as one of the nation´s premier industrial states.
Erected 2015 by Michigan Historical Commission - Michigan Historical Center. (Marker Number L2142.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Waterways & Vessels. In addition, it is included in the Michigan Historical Commission series list. A significant historical date for this entry is July 24, 1880.
Location. 44° 28.31′ N, 83° 34.32′ W. Marker is in Oscoda, Michigan, in Iosco County. Marker is on Cooke Dam Road, on the right when traveling east. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1201 Cooke Dam Road, Oscoda MI 48750, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 4 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Cooke Hydroelectric Plant (here, next to this marker); Foote Hydro (approx. 3½ miles away); a different marker also named Foote Hydro (approx. 3½ miles away); Mio Hydro (approx. 3½ miles away); a different marker also named Mio Hydro (approx. 3½ miles away); Five Channels & Loud Hydros (approx. 3½ miles away); Loud Hydro (approx. 3½ miles away); Five Channels Hydro (approx. 3½ miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Oscoda.
Credits. This page was last revised on October 28, 2021. It was originally submitted on October 28, 2021, by J.T. Lambrou of New Boston, Michigan. This page has been viewed 151 times since then and 19 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on October 28, 2021, by J.T. Lambrou of New Boston, Michigan. • J. Makali Bruton was the editor who published this page.