Georgetown in Clear Creek County, Colorado — The American Mountains (Southwest)
Hydroelectric Plant
1900
Georgetown-Silverton
| | National Historic Landmark District | |
Photographed by Sandra Hughes Tidwell, August 3, 2025
1. Hydroelectric Plant 1900 Marker
This plant is one of Colorado's oldest alternating-current hydroelectric facilities that is still generating electricity. When it began operating, the ability to provide inexpensive electric power with alternating current over long distances revolutionized the mining industry. By 1903, the plant was supplying electricity to Georgetown and many of the nearby mines and towns, including Silver Plume, Idaho Springs, Black Hawk, and Central City.
Today, Xcel Energy owns this technological landmark and operates it remotely from its Cabin Creek facility on Guanella Pass Road. The Georgetown plant, which is now also an energy museum, has the capacity to produce enough power from South Clear Creek to support 700-1,000 homes and businesses.
Erected by Town of Georgetown & Historic Georgetown, INC 2007.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Natural Resources. A significant historical year for this entry is 1900.
Location. 39° 42.359′ N, 105° 41.711′ W. Marker is in Georgetown, Colorado, in Clear Creek County. It is at the intersection of Main Street and Griffith Street,
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Regionally, this marker is in the Colorado High Rockies and on the Continental Divide. It is also in the American Mountain West. Globally, it is in North America, the Rocky Mountains, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Georgetown Steam/Hydro Generating Plant (here, next to this marker); Star Hook and Ladder Building 1886 (within shouting distance of this marker); Hotel de Paris (within shouting distance of this marker); Hotel de Paris, 1875-90 (within shouting distance of this marker); McClellan Opera House (within shouting distance of this marker); Cushman Block II, 1872/1875 (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Forbes Building, ca. 1869 (about 400 feet away); Tucker Brothers Store, ca. 1870 (about 400 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Georgetown.
Photographed by Sandra Hughes Tidwell, August 3, 2025
2. Hydroelectric Plant 1900 Marker
Photographed by Sandra Hughes Tidwell, August 3, 2025
3. Electrical Engineering Milestone
Georgetown Steam/Hydro Generating Plant
Electric generating plants, through their high-voltage lines, provide critical power to the isolated mines in this region. Georgetown, completed in 1900, was unusual in employing both steam and water power. Its owner, United Light and Power Company, was a pioneer in using three-phase, 60-Hertz alternating current and in being interconnected with other utilities.
July 1999
Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers
Credits. This page was last revised on September 10, 2025. It was originally submitted on August 25, 2025, by Sandra Hughes Tidwell of Killen, Alabama, USA. This page has been viewed 106 times since then and 30 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on August 25, 2025, by Sandra Hughes Tidwell of Killen, Alabama, USA. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.
