Nooksack Falls Hydroelectric Power Plant facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Nooksack Falls Hydroelectric Power Plant
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Nooksack Falls Hydroelectric Power Plant (1906)
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| Location | Rt. 542 on Nooksack River, Whatcom County, Washington |
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| Nearest city | Glacier, Washington |
| Built | 1906 |
| NRHP reference No. | 88002735 |
| Added to NRHP | December 15, 1988 |
The Nooksack Falls Hydroelectric Power Plant is a special place. It was built in 1906 at Nooksack Falls on the Nooksack River. This plant can make 1500 kilowatts of electricity. It is one of the oldest power plants still working in western Washington.
The plant worked for over 90 years. Then, in 1997, a fire damaged its main generator. This stopped the plant from working. But don't worry! A new generator was put in. The plant started making electricity again in 2003.
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Building the Nooksack Power Plant
In 1889, a group of business people formed a company. It was called the Bellingham Bay Improvement Company (BBIC). These investors wanted to help Bellingham grow. They hoped it would become a big city for business and trade.
The BBIC invested in many different things. This included shipping, coal mining, and building railroads. They also sold land and provided city services. Even though Bellingham didn't become a huge city, the BBIC helped it grow a lot.
The BBIC was in charge of providing electricity to Bellingham. At first, this power was mostly for streetlights and electric streetcars. But by 1903, the city was getting bigger. The small power generator they had was not enough. So, the BBIC started planning a new power plant. They chose a spot below Nooksack Falls.
Challenges of Construction
Building the Nooksack plant was not easy. In 1903, the BBIC had dug six tunnels for the project. But the big machines, like the generator, were 50 miles away. Moving heavy equipment through the mountains was a huge challenge.
The heaviest parts were sent by train to Glacier. From there, they were loaded onto a sled. Then, they were pulled through the mountains. The first big piece was a crane that could lift 40,000 pounds. Smaller parts were carried by pack animals. Many local people helped by letting the company use their animals.
All these problems made it hard for the BBIC. In 1905, the company decided to sell its power businesses. This included the Nooksack Falls project, which was still being built.
Stone & Webster Takes Over
In 1905, a company called Stone & Webster bought the power businesses from BBIC. This included the unfinished Nooksack Falls Hydroelectric Power Plant. Stone & Webster took over the building work.
They finished the plant quickly. On September 21, 1906, Bellingham started getting power from the plant. The electricity traveled through a 47-mile-long (76 km) power line.
Life at the Plant
For many years, the power plant was like a small community. It was in a remote area, far from towns. The roads were not good. So, workers had to live right at the plant.
The company hired a chief operator and two assistants. They lived in three small houses. A school teacher was also hired to teach the children. Around 1905, a two-story hotel was built. It housed company officials, construction workers, and visitors. Part of the hotel was even used as a classroom.
The plant had the most workers between 1906 and the mid-1920s. But by 1978, the plant became automated. This meant machines could do much of the work. So, fewer people were needed on site. The houses were then taken down. This was done to stop people from living there without permission.
The Nooksack Falls Hydroelectric Power Plant is an important part of history. It was added to The National Register of Historic Places on December 15, 1988.
