Folsom in Sacramento County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)

Main Powerhouse

Photographed by Andrew Ruppenstein, February 20, 2022

1. Main Powerhouse Marker

Inscription. In July 1895, this was one of the few places in California or the United States where you could hear the hum and buzz of industrial scale electricity being generated. Where only a short time ago gold miners washed pans of gravel in search of placer gold, water powered turbines now spun groundbreaking three-phase generators. Designed with the help of the General Electric Company, this hydroelectric power plant was one of the first to successfully demonstrate the economic and practical feasibility of generating and transmitting Alternating Current electricity over long distances. Prior Direct Current electric power plants could only transmit electricity for short distances, usually less than five miles. While this hydroelectric power plant was soon eclipsed in size and power output by new construction throughout California, those power plants built on the success here. The turbines and generators in this building lit and powered Sacramento for over fifty years.

Erected by California State Parks.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Industry & Commerce. A significant historical month for this entry is July 1895.

Location. 38° 40.788′ N, 121° 10.611′ W. Marker is in Folsom, California, in Sacramento County. It can be reached

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from Greenback Lane. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Folsom CA 95630, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in California’s Sacramento Metro,

in Sacramento Valley,

and specifically in the Central Valley.

It is also on the American Pacific Coast.

Globally, it is in North America,

on the Ring of Fire,

in the Pacific Rim,

in the Western Hemisphere,

in the Western World,

and in 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 walking distance of this marker: Pushing Electrons (here, next to this marker); Cutting Edge Technology (a few steps from this marker); Lower Powerhouse (within shouting distance of this marker); Original Folsom Hydroelectric Plant (within shouting distance of this marker); Forebay (within shouting distance of this marker); An Electrifying Past (within shouting distance of this marker); J. Clifton Toney (approx. 0.2 miles away); Ashland Station (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Folsom.

Also see . . . California SP Folsom Powerhouse (National Archives Catalog). The National Register of Historic Places nomination form for this property.

"In the late 19th century electricity came out of the laboratory to offer its services as a working partner in the social structure. The Folsom Power House is an integral part of the story of the development of electricity for consumer use. It marked one of the first successful uses of hydroelectric power in the world. In 1895, however, many people were skeptical that electric current could be transmitted over long distances. There were few who foresaw that possibility,
Photographed by Andrew Ruppenstein, February 20, 2022

2. Main Powerhouse and Marker
but the Folsom WaterPower Company was one of these. This faith was reflected by the General Electric Company, which early began the manufacture of turbine waterwheels, generators, and required accessories designed toward its achieving that end. Its gamble made the success of Folsom Power House possible.

(Submitted on March 24, 2022.)

Main Powerhouse - interior image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Andrew Ruppenstein, February 20, 2022

3. Main Powerhouse - interior

Credits. This page was last revised on March 24, 2022. It was originally submitted on March 23, 2022, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California. This page has been viewed 497 times since then and 16 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on March 23, 2022, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California.