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The first hydroelectric power plant was
built in Appleton on the Fox River. Hydroelectric power plants
make electricity by using the power of running water. The plant
produced 12.5 kilowatts of power, which is not very much by today's
standards. But, it was enough to power all of the machinery in
two paper mills. It also powered a private home, which was owned
by the man who owned one of the paper mills. This house still
stands today and is called Hearthstone. You can visit it if you
go to Appleton. The house was one of the first to have electric
lights. In 1886, this same plant powered the first electric streetcar
system, which helped the people of Appleton to get around easier.
Today's hydropower plants usually range in size from several
hundred kilowatts to several hundred megawatts. Hydropower supplies
9% of our country's electricity today, and accounts for 49% of
all renewable energy used.
Picture From
State of
Wisconsin Blue Book;
Department of Natural
Resources
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