FIRST - High-Tension Power Line, Portland, Oregon - First of its Kind on Waymarking.com

The world’s FIRST long distance high-tension power line began operation between Willamette Falls and Portland by the Willamette Falls Electric Company on June 3, 1889. The high tension transmission line ended at what is now called Chapman Park, located at 4th and Main in Portland, where a bronze plaque still commemorates the momentous event, the FIRST long distance transmission of electricity in the United States. At 10:00pm on June 3rd, 1889, a switch was thrown in the newly built powerhouse at Willamette Falls, and one of four 32.5 kilowatt "No. 8 Brush arc light dynamos" pumped enough electricity over 14 miles of wire to light 55 carbon arc street lamps in downtown Portland.

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