1939 Municipal Power Plant - Rensselaer, IN
Posted by: 
KC9PDY
N 40° 56.363 W 087° 09.280
16T E 486980 N 4532039
The Municipal Power Plant in Rensselaer, Indiana, extensively rebuilt and remodeled in 1939.
Waymark Code: WMFYA2
Location: Indiana, United States
Date Posted: 12/16/2012
Views: 1
The
plant was originally built in 1892 and purchased by the City of Rensselaer
in 1897. The plant houses six (6) engine/generators. Four are
powered by diesel fuel, one is dual fuel with the option of operating on
diesel or natural gas and one is a straight natural gas engine. The
plant is capable of generating enough power to meet the needs of Rensselaer.
A "Special Ordinance"
Number 14 was written and passed on September 17, 1897 authorizing and
empowering the City of Rensselaer to construct, maintain and operate an
electric light system for the purpose of supply electricity to the City.
The passage of this ordinance
was the beginning of a municipality to serve the inhabitants of the City.
Over 100 years later, the Elecric Utility consists of three sub departments
and an administrative office.
City of Rensselaer Electric
Department Web
Link
There are four dated Cornerstones
in evidence, two from 1939, when the plant was extensively remodeled and
enlarged, one from the addition built in 1949, and one from the 1969 addition
to the plant.
Rensselaer Power
Plant
1939
Conrad Kellner - Mayor
John R. Merritt - Clerk
- Treasurer
Robert Wright - City
Attorney
Councilmen
Chas R. Benjamin
Ross Rowlin
Harry Swartzell
Marion Irwin
Albert Abbott
Rensselaer Power
Plant
1939
Incorprated as a Municipal
Steam Power Plant in
1898
Changed to Diesel Power
in 1925
Remodeled and enlarged
in 1939
Chas S. Chamberlin Superintendent
Louis C. Ramp Asst. Superintendent
J. W. Moore & Son
Consulting Engineers
Howards S. Carns Architect
W. R. Dunkin & Son
Inc. Contractors
1949
Addition to
Municipal Power Plant
Rensselaer, Indiana
William H. Bahler
Mayor
Joseph Critser
Waldo Garrigues
Howard Randle
Russell Handly
Wendell Martin
City Council
John R. Merritt
City Clerk - Treasurer
W. A. Somers
City Attorney
Lois C. Ramp
Utilities Superintendent
W. T. Wilcox
Assistant Superintendent
W. R. Dunkin & Son
Inc.
Contractor
Boyd E. Phelps Inc.
Architects Engineers
1969
Addition to
Municipal Power Plant
Rensselaer, Indiana
Malcolm W. Roth - Mayor
Denver M. Tudor - Clerk
- Treasurer
Robert Wright - City
Attorney
Robert Randle - City
Attorney
Councilmen
James Granlund
James Gwin
William Hudson
R. Harold Harkin
Ray Shoup
Edward Putman
Plant Superintendent
Paul Richards
Line Superintendent
James I. Barnes Construction
Co.
Building Contractor
Carroll Dietle & Associates
Inc.
Consulting Engineers
& Architect
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