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All the United States California Folsom The Folsom Powerhouse

The Folsom Powerhouse

This 19th century hydroelectric powerhouse was the first of its kind.

Folsom, California

Added By
Alan Newman
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One of the main turbines   Dohuglas Nelson Turner
Powerhouse showing granite foundations and brick upper floors.   UncleVinney/Public Domain
Later 110kV transformers and prisoner-built retaining wall.   UncleVinney/Public Domain
The transformers to the left are the third generation ones. The second generation transformers are still inside the building.   The Oaked Ridge/Public Domain
The governer system used to maintain the frequency at 60 Hz.   Douglas Nelson Turner/Public Domain
Convicts cutting granite in the quarry for dam construction.   Unknown
Forebay and water control gates   Brian Grogan/Public Domain
One of four main AC generator sets. These generated at 800volts 60, Hz 3 phase.   Douglas Nelson Turner/Public Domain
Folsom Powerhouse   Nick Ares
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About

The Folsom Powerhouse in California was the first practical means of generating hydroelectricity in a separate location from where it was used, and was partially constructed by the unpaid labor of convicts at Folsom Prison.

The hydroelectric powerhouse delivered power to from Folsom to Sacramento from 1895 to 1952. The water feed canal and impoundment, both of which sit on the American River, were built by convict labor provided in a deal between landowners and Senator H. G. Livermore. The prisoners produced all of the granite blocks used to build the dam, the foundation of what would become the powerhouse, and the retaining wall for penstocks.

The powerhouse was not always meant to generate electricity, however. The initial plan was to use the water to mechanically drive a sawmill, and for a few years this is what happened. Then, in the late 1880s, Livermore realized that rather than using the water as a motive force, the water could be used to power generators and provide electricity to Sacramento, 22 miles away. The power was also able to be converted to DC (by means of a supplementary generator or rotary converter) to allow it to drive the DC motors on the Sacramento street cars.

The powerhouse, a granite and brick two-story building, is still in complete working order to this day, but the water supply has been cut off by the Folsom Dam, which was built just upstream on the American River. Today, visitors are free to walk around the powerhouse and admire the large turbines and cutting-edge 19th century technology.

Related Tags

Water Energy Power Stations Environment Machines Dams

Know Before You Go

If traveling from Sacramento take the Gold Line on the light rail system to "Historic Folsom". You will be traveling along the route of oldest rail line in California and it will cost you only $7 ($3:50 for seniors) for a day's unlimited travel on almost all buses and light rail in the region (2017 prices). You can join this line directly from the Sacramento Valley main line rail station or downtown (there is a stop near the Capitol building). Entry to the powerhouse is free and it is easily in walking distance from the light rail terminus. Parking at the Visitor Center is a $10 for a day-use pas—there are picnic tables!

Community Contributors

Added By

Dr Alan P Newman

Edited By

wheninroam, aribrown, kimrad

  • wheninroam
  • aribrown
  • kimrad

Published

July 6, 2017

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The Folsom Powerhouse
9980 Greenback Ln
Folsom, California
United States
38.680475, -121.175812
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Nearby Places

Folsom Prison Museum

Folsom, California

miles away

Mormon Island

Folsom, California

miles away

Safetyville, USA

Sacramento, California

miles away

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Photo of Folsom

Folsom

California

Places 3

Nearby Places

Folsom Prison Museum

Folsom, California

miles away

Mormon Island

Folsom, California

miles away

Safetyville, USA

Sacramento, California

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Folsom

Folsom

California

Places 3

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