Fredericksburg, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)

Hydroelectricity Brings Changes to Fredericksburg

Fredericksburg: Timeless.

Photographed by Bernard Fisher, June 19, 2016

1. Hydroelectricity Brings Changes to Fredericksburg Marker

Inscription.

Hydroelectricity Brings Changes to Fredericksburg. Fredericksburg: Timeless.. Desperate for economic growth, following the Civil War, Fredericksburg embraced the technological innovation of hydroelectricity. In 1887, a local ﬁrm converted an old grist mill near the Falmouth Bridge to an electric generating plant. In 1901, the local government built its own hydroelectric facility, calling it the City Electric Light Works., The municipal power plant remained in operation until 1919. lts output, however, was direct current (DC), which has a limited range. The more substantial Embrey Power Station, constructed in 1910, generated alternating current (AC), which can be transmitted greater distances. It provided electric power well beyond the city limits., Electriﬁcation had a profound impact on the area’s industrial development. Factories could be removed from places susceptible to river ﬂooding and built closer to rail connections and roadways. The Embrey Plant closed in the 1960s, when a nuclear plant became operational on the North Anna River., (captions) , Capt. McCracken, Chairman of the Light Committee, reported three bids for the erection and installation of an Electric Light Plant for lighting the streets of the city (City Council meeting of June 15, 1900)., The transition from hydromechanical power to hydroelectricity is evident in this 1909 photo of the concrete Embry Dam being constructed across the Rappahannock River. The Fredericksburg Water Power Company’s stone and timber dam, which can be seen just upstream, would be covered by the new reservoir., The City Electric Light Works, whose wheel pit is visible in front of you, powered city lights for 18 years. The Embry Power Station, to your left front, remained operational for 50 years. (Image courtesy of Virginia Department of Historic Resources), In 2004, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers demolished the 1910 Embry Dam and the 1854 Fredericksburg Water Power Co. dam. Removal of this industrial infrastructure provides significant environmental benefits to Virginia fisheries.

Desperate for economic growth, following the Civil War, Fredericksburg embraced the technological innovation of hydroelectricity. In 1887, a local ﬁrm converted an old grist mill near the Falmouth Bridge to an electric generating plant. In 1901, the local government built its own hydroelectric facility, calling it the City Electric Light Works.

The municipal power plant remained in operation until 1919. lts output, however, was direct current (DC), which has a limited range. The more substantial Embrey Power Station, constructed in 1910, generated alternating current (AC), which can be transmitted greater distances. It provided electric power well beyond the city limits.

Electriﬁcation had a profound impact on the area’s industrial development. Factories could be removed from places susceptible to river ﬂooding and built closer to rail connections and roadways. The Embrey Plant closed in the 1960s, when a nuclear plant became operational on the North Anna River.

(captions)
Capt. McCracken, Chairman of the Light Committee, reported three bids for the erection and installation of an Electric Light Plant for lighting the streets of the city (City Council meeting of June 15, 1900).

The transition from hydromechanical power to hydroelectricity is evident in this 1909

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photo of the concrete Embry Dam being constructed across the Rappahannock River. The Fredericksburg Water Power Company’s stone and timber dam, which can be seen just upstream, would be covered by the new reservoir.

The City Electric Light Works, whose wheel pit is visible in front of you, powered city lights for 18 years. The Embry Power Station, to your left front, remained operational for 50 years. (Image courtesy of Virginia Department of Historic Resources)

In 2004, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers demolished the 1910 Embry Dam and the 1854 Fredericksburg Water Power Co. dam. Removal of this industrial infrastructure provides significant environmental benefits to Virginia fisheries.

Erected by Fredericksburg Economic Development and Tourism Office.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Man-Made Features • Waterways & Vessels. In addition, it is included in the Virginia, Fredericksburg: Timeless. series list. A significant historical date for this entry is June 15, 1887.

Location. 38° 18.73′ N, 77° 27.923′ W. Marker is in Fredericksburg, Virginia. It can be reached from the intersection of Caroline Street and Ford Street, on the left when traveling west. Located along the River Heritage Trail. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Fredericksburg VA 22401, United States of America. Touch for directions.

River Heritage Trail image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Bernard Fisher, June 19, 2016

2. River Heritage Trail

Regionally, this marker is in the Washington Metropolitan Area

and in Northern Virginia.

It is also in the American South

and specifically in the Upper South.

Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region,

North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

one of the original Thirteen Colonies,

one of the Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Germania Mill: Recovering from the Civil War (here, next to this marker); Rappahannock River Heritage Trail (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Water Powered Industries (about 700 feet away); French John's Wharf (approx. ¼ mile away); Carl's (approx. ¼ mile away); Walker-Grant High School Class of 1950 Stages Graduation Protest at Fredericksburg Community Center (approx. ¼ mile away); A Canal Defines Its Neighborhood (approx. ¼ mile away); Elmhurst (approx. 0.3 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Fredericksburg.

Other markers no longer nearby. A Walking Tour of Fredericksburg’s Historic Old Mill District (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been permanently removed); A Canal Defines its Neighborhood (was approx. ¼ mile away but has been replaced with another marker now near it).

Credits. This page was last revised on March 12, 2023. It was originally submitted on June 20, 2016, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia. This page has been viewed 822 times since then and 42 times this year. Last updated on March 12, 2023, by Carl Gordon Moore Jr. of North East, Maryland. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on June 20, 2016, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia. • J. Makali Bruton was the editor who published this page.