Niagara Falls in Niagara Region, Ontario — Central Canada (North America)

Sir Adam Beck G. S. I

Photographed by Kevin Westell, July 3, 2025

1. Sir Adam Beck G. S. I Marker

Inscription. The first Beck I unit was commissioned on Christmas Day, 1921. The vertical turbine generator combination is similar to the design used since in almost all hydraulic stations. Water provided by an open canal 20 km long from Chippawa above Niagara Falls is used to generate alternating current power with exceptionally high efficiency.

Beck I was the largest hydraulic generating station in the world when completed by Ontario Hydro in 1930. The plant continues to operate today and can generate enough power to supply a small, modern city.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Science & Medicine. A significant historical year for this entry is 1921.

Location. 43° 8.889′ N, 79° 2.695′ W. Marker is in Niagara Falls, Ontario, in Niagara Region. It is on Niagara River Parkway, on the right when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 14000 Niagara River Parkway, Niagara Falls ON L2E L2E, Canada. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is on Ontario’s Golden Horseshoe

and in Niagara Canada.

It is also in Central Canada.

Globally,

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it is in North America,

on the Great Lakes,

in the Western Hemisphere,

in the Western World,

and in the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once a British colony,

the Viceroyalty of New France,

the Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) Confederacy,

and Rupert’s Land.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Queenston-Chippawa Hydro-Electric Development (about 240 meters away, measured in a direct line); 2024 Floral Clock (approx. 0.2 kilometers away); Lilac Garden (approx. half a kilometer away); Robert Moses Niagara Power Plant Turbine (approx. one kilometer away in the U.S.); Niagara Power Project (approx. one kilometer away in the U.S.); Fighting for Homeland (approx. one kilometer away in the U.S.); In Memory of Thomas F. Hopkins (approx. 1.1 kilometers away in the U.S.); Clet Hall, Marillac Hall, Laboure Hall (approx. 1.2 kilometers away in the U.S.). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Niagara Falls.

Another marker is no longer nearby. Floral Clock (was approx. 0.2 kilometers away but has been permanently removed).

Sir Adam Beck G. S. I - Marker in context image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Kevin Westell, July 3, 2025

2. Sir Adam Beck G. S. I - Marker in context

The marker is mounted horizontally on a large, flat rock (bottom right), on the sidewalk, adjacent to the south-most skeleton tower in the row of skeleton towers which are part of Sir Adam Beck I Generating Station.

Sir Adam Beck I Generating Station image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Kevin Westell, July 3, 2025

3. Sir Adam Beck I Generating Station

The building is over the 10 penstocks and generators of the power station.

Credits. This page was last revised on July 6, 2025. It was originally submitted on July 5, 2025, by Kevin Westell of St. Catharines, Ontario. This page has been viewed 112 times since then and 25 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on July 5, 2025, by Kevin Westell of St. Catharines, Ontario. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.