Niagara Falls in Niagara County, New York — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
World's First Hydroelectric Power Plant
This is the original arch entrance to the Adams Station, the world's first hydroelectric power plant. Electric power, its transmission in commercial quantities to remote distances, the design and building of the first large electrical equipment- all started with the completion of the Adams Station in 1895 at Niagara Falls. Its entrance was re-erected on this site in 1966 to commemorate the tremendous impact which the generation of electric power at the Adams Station gave to civilization throughout the world. This arch dedicated 1967 by Nelson A. Rockefeller, Governor.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Science & Medicine. A significant historical year for this entry is 1895.
Location. 43° 4.905′ N, 79° 4.262′ W. Marker is in Niagara Falls, New York, in Niagara County. Marker can be reached from Goat Island Road. The marker is located on the Power Portal arch at the north edge of the Goat Island Parking lot. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Niagara Falls NY 14303, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. The Power Portal (here, next to this marker); Original Stepping Stone (within shouting distance of this marker); Cave of the Winds Elevator (within shouting distance of this marker); Niagara River Corridor Important Bird Area (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Cave of the Winds and Bridal Veil Falls (about 400 feet away); The Cave of the Winds (about 400 feet away); Goat Island (about 400 feet away); Nikola Tesla (about 400 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Niagara Falls.
More about this marker. Goat Island is paid parking. There are separate vehicle and pedestrian bridges to the island.
Regarding World's First Hydroelectric Power Plant. There are other tablets on the Power Portal arch pictured on this panel.
Text of The Power Portal Plaque: The construction of larger and more efficient electric generating stations at Niagara made the original Adams Plant obsolete. It has been demolished. The main entrance to this first powerhouse with the legended Indian medallion by Frederick McMonnies in the fan arch above the doorway was taken down piece by piece and re-erected here. The cost of materials was met by subscription from interested corporations, individuals and associations. The site was made available by the Niagara Frontier State Park Commission. On a voluntary basis, the Builders' Association of Niagara Falls furnished equipment and administration. Perhaps the greatest contribution was the individual members of the Niagara Falls Building Trades Council who donated their time and skill on their days off to make the re-erection of this memorial possible.
Text of Birth of Hydro Electric Power tablet: To the engineers, financiers, scientists, whose genius, courage and industry made possible here the birth of hydro electric power and created the first five thousand horse power water turbines directly connected to alternating current generators and inaugurated in America long distance transmission of power by electricity. Erected by The Niagara Falls Power Company MCMXXIV. This tablet replaces the original which was lost. 1966.
Text of Adams Hydro Electric Power Station plaque: Edward Dean Adams Hydro-Electric Power Station Number One. Inaugurated August 26, 1895 by The Niagara Falls Power Company.
The Tesla statue was a gift from Yugoslavia for America's Bicentennial.
Also see . . . Adams Power Plant Transformer House - Wikipedia. (Submitted on June 10, 2014, by Anton Schwarzmueller of Wilson, New York.)
Credits. This page was last revised on April 22, 2023. It was originally submitted on June 9, 2014, by Anton Schwarzmueller of Wilson, New York. This page has been viewed 780 times since then and 47 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on June 9, 2014, by Anton Schwarzmueller of Wilson, New York. 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10. submitted on June 10, 2014, by Anton Schwarzmueller of Wilson, New York. 11. submitted on April 16, 2023, by Craig Doda of Napoleon, Ohio. 12. submitted on June 10, 2014, by Anton Schwarzmueller of Wilson, New York. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.