East Town in Milwaukee in Milwaukee County, Wisconsin — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

Oneida Street Power Plant

National Historic Mechanical Engineering Landmark

Photographed By Devon Polzar, April 2016

1. Oneida Street Power Plant Marker

Inscription. This facility, formerly known as the Oneida Street Power Plant, served from 1918-1920 as the pilot plant in the United States for the development and use of finely-pulverized-coal firing in the boilers of steam-electric power plants. The results of the Oneida experiences were new and improved elements of boiler design and lower costs of power generation.

Erected 1980 by The American Society of Mechanical Engineers.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Science & Medicine. In addition, it is included in the Historic Mechanical Engineering Landmarks series list.

Location. 43° 2.449′ N, 87° 54.67′ W. Marker is in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, in Milwaukee County. It is in East Town. Marker is on E Wells St, on the right when traveling west. The marker is attached to the building which is now home to the Milwaukee Repertory Theater. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 108 E Wells St, Milwaukee WI 53202, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Oneida Street Station (a few steps from this marker); Pabst Theater (within shouting distance of this marker); Nearly a Century of Planning (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line);

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Architectural Gems on the Riverfront (about 500 feet away); A German Heritage (about 500 feet away); An Outdoor Gallery (about 500 feet away); Wisconsin Soldiers’ Home (about 600 feet away); Red Lights on the River (about 600 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Milwaukee.

Also see . . . ASME Landmark Brochure: Oneida Street Power Plant. This link should bring up a PDF file that provides information regarding the significance of the Oneida (East Wells) Street Power Plant--where extremely important tests were conducted that ultimately demonstrated the ability to burn pulverized coal successfully for power generation. This led to improvements in efficiency and allowed much larger boilers to be used--both of which improved the economics of power production. (Submitted on July 21, 2019, by Thomas Fehring of Whitefish Bay, Wisconsin.)

Power Plant Building and Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Devon Polzar, April 2016

2. Power Plant Building and Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on March 16, 2023. It was originally submitted on April 6, 2016, by Devon Polzar of Port Washington, Wisconsin. This page has been viewed 414 times since then and 30 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on April 6, 2016, by Devon Polzar of Port Washington, Wisconsin. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.