Vulcan Street Plant
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The Vulcan Street Plant was the first hydroelectric central station providing electricity to customers in North America. It was located at 600 Vulcan Street, Appleton, Wisconsin, and started producing electricity on September 30, 1882. It is now a National Historic Engineering Landmark.
The Appleton Edison Electric Co. was started by paper manufacturer Henry J. Rogers in his paper mill. The Vulcan Street Plant was powered by a ten foot fall of water in the Fox River, using two Edison Type "K" dynamo generators driven by a system of gears and belts connected to a water wheel. It had a capacity of 12.5 kilowatts. In 1882 service ran from dusk to dawn. Since there were no meters, customers were charged a flat monthly fee. The first house to be lit was the Hearthstone Historic House Museum.
The Vulcan Street Plant was replaced by a newer facility in 1886, and the company declared bankruptcy in 1896. A replica of the original plant can be seen at 807 South Oneida Street, Appleton, Wisconsin.
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