Stairs Station Hydroelectric Power Plant - Salt Lake City, Utah
Posted by: 
brwhiz
N 40° 37.407 W 111° 45.210
12T E 436269 N 4497230
A rugged installation that has stood the test of time and still provides power to Salt Lake City.
Waymark Code: WM9QFJ
Location: Utah, United States
Date Posted: 09/19/2010
Views: 13
The plaque is inscribed:
Stairs Station Hydroelectric Power Plant
The Stairs Project was built in 1894-96 as the first hydroelectric power plant to provide electricity to Salt Lake City. It was one of the first plants in Utah to transmit power long distance, using alternating current rather than direct current. In addition to the powerhouse, other elements of the historic complex include the dam, conduit, and penstock—all critical components of a hydroelectric project. The power plant is ideally located to take advantage of the Stairs cascade on Big Cottonwood Creek.
During the late nineteenth century, a combination of technological developments, capitalist enterprise, and economic demands led to the creation of Utah's hydroelectric power industry. Small utility companies around the state built water power plants to generate electricity, mostly for streetcar systems, mines, and other industries. Cities and small towns also consumed power for municipal, commercial, and domestic use. By the early twentieth century, a merger and consolidation movement among Utah's utilities culminated in the formation of the Utah Power & Light Company (UP&L). In 1989, UP&L merged with PacifiCorp, an Oregon corporation, which continues to operate the Stairs Project.
Name of Historic District (as listed on the NRHP): Stairs Station Hydroelectric Power Plant Historic District
Link to nationalregisterofhistoricplaces.com page with the Historic District: [Web Link]
Address:
Big Cottonwood Canyon Road (Utah State Highway 190)
Cottonwood Heights, Utah 84121
How did you determine the building to be a contributing structure?: Narrative found on the internet (Link provided below)
Optional link to narrative or database: [Web Link]
NRHP Historic District Waymark (Optional): Not listed
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