Grand Rapids at the Dawn of Hydroelectric Power

by James R. Winslow

Grand Rapids can lay claim to the world’s first hydroelectric power plant, and the first to supply commercial electric lighting service in Michigan. William T. Powers, an enterprising manufacturer, in 1865 and 1866, purchased the necessary river frontage and in the two following years constructed the West Side Water Power Canal, completing it in September 1868. Powers became interested in electricity after he learned of an exhibit to take place at the Franklin Institute, Philadelphia in 1877, of an electric lighting system. Frederick W. Powers, grandson of William T., related that his grandfather attempted to make an incandescent lamp before the day of Thomas Edison’s in 1879. The elder Powers could not solve the vacuum problem, and his lamps burned out within minutes.

Grand Rapids Electric Light & Power Company buildings (left to right) William T. Powers’ Sawmill built in 1868 used temporarily for the electric company from September 1880 to November 1881. The next building north of the sawmill was the first building constructed specifically for the Hydroelectric Power Plant in the Winter 1880–81. The two-story City Lighting Plant constructed in November 1881. The brick building built in the mid-1880s.

Photo circa 1902 from Grand Rapids Public Library, Archives & Special Collections #54-12-10

William T. Powers organized the Grand Rapids Electric Light & Power Company, March 22, 1880, in associated with William H. Powers (son), Amasas B. Watson, James Blair, Henry Spring, John L. Shaw, Thomas M. Peck, and Sluman S. Bailey. The company acquired a sixteen-light Brush dynamo which was installed in the Wolverine Chair & Furniture Company factory. The machine was belt-driven from the factory’s line shaft, powered by a water turbine.

On Saturday evening, July 24, 1880, sixteen electric lights glowed in Campau Place. The first businesses illuminated were Sweet’s Hotel, Powers’ Opera House, E. S. Pierce’s Clothing, Spring & Company Dry Goods, Mill & Lacey Drugs, A. Preusser’s Jewelry,and Star Clothing. The brilliant electric lights proved such a draw for merchants that demand outgrew the capacity, and the machine was moved to Powers’ sawmill at the downstream end of the canal, and increased output by the installation of a new forty-light generator.

Consumers Power Company Hydroelectric Plant, May 1, 1956, shown here less than three months after it was decommissioned on February 29, 1956 at 4:15 PM. The last remaining addition to the Hydroelectric Power Plant was built in 1917.

photo courtesy Grand Rapids City Archives, Litigation Collection #010701

Growth of the business by the city street lighting contract March 1881, justified even more extensive operations. Powers transferred water rights from the West Side Water Power Company to Grand Rapids Electric Light & Power, sixteen first run-of-stone, amounting to two hundred and forty horsepower. On May 27, 1881, a contract was awarded to John H. Hoskin for the construction of a permanent powerhouse which was completed Nov 1, 1881.

About the Author

Jim Winslow, Founder of TourGR.com, a Grand Rapids guided tour company which gives historical walks throughout downtown. Tour GR came about through his passion for Grand Rapids family history and all things having to do with the Grand River. It has been an offshoot of his latest research project documenting and mapping the history of Grand Rapids water power canals system, its industries, and historical contribution at the dawn of hydroelectric power. Jim also works at Grand Rapids Public Museum, serves on the Board of Trustees for Grand Rapids Historical Society since 2013 and is a 5-year member of the National Certified Tourism Ambassador program. Local historian and GRHS Trustee will be leading us through the history of the Grand Rapids water canals that once existed on both sides of the river, and of which this city once relied upon heavily for its industry.

“Grand Rapids at the Dawn of Hydroelectric Power”, Thursday, September 12, 2019, 7:00 p.m., presented by James R. Winslow