Smuggler-Union Hydroelectric Power Plant facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Smuggler-Union Hydroelectric Power Plant
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 Location in Colorado
Location in the United States
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| Location | Uncompahgre National Forest, San Miguel County, Colorado |
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| Nearest city | Telluride, Colorado |
| Area | 0.5 acres (0.20 ha) |
| Built | 1907 |
| NRHP reference No. | 79000621 |
| Added to NRHP | December 27, 1979 |
The Smuggler-Union Hydroelectric Powerplant, also called the Bridal Veil Powerhouse, is a special building that makes electricity. It's also a home! It sits right next to the beautiful Bridal Veil Falls on a huge 400-foot (122-meter) cliff above Telluride, Colorado.
The building has 2-1/2 stories and is built on a strong concrete base with a wooden frame. It includes the main power plant, a 1-1/2 story house, and a small cookhouse. The power plant's foundation is unique, with cool semicircular windows. Part of the building even sticks out over a rock, with more arched windows.
Contents
How the Power Plant Works
A hydroelectric power plant uses the power of moving water to create electricity. Water from the falls rushes down, spinning a large machine called a turbine. This turbine then powers a generator, which makes electricity. It's a clean way to get power!
A Look Back at Its History
The Smuggler-Union Hydroelectric Powerplant was built in 1907. Its main job was to provide electricity for the Smuggler-Union Mine, which was located 2,000 feet (610 meters) below. It made alternating current (AC) electricity, which is the type of power we use in our homes today.
Buckley Wells, who managed the Smuggler-Union Mine, suggested building the plant. He even used the residence as his summer home until the 1920s. In the winter, people first reached the plant using a special cable car system called an aerial tramway, but this was later destroyed.
The power plant worked steadily until 1953, helping the Idarado Mining Company. After it stopped being used, the living areas and the generator started to fall apart.
Bringing the Powerhouse Back to Life
In 1988, a local person named Eric Jacobson got a 99-year lease for the property from the Idarado Mining Company. He decided to fix up the whole place. He worked hard to restore it and eventually moved his family into the home.
The AC power plant started working again in 1991! It used its original 2,300-volt Westinghouse Electric AC generator. This generator is one of the oldest AC generators still running today.
In 2010, Eric Jacobson gave up his lease. The Idarado Mining Company took over and has kept the plant running. The electricity it makes now provides about 25 percent of all the power needed in Telluride. As of 2012, the plant creates about 2,000 megawatt-hours of electricity each year. This is enough power for about 2,000 average American homes! The local San Miguel Power Association buys this electricity from Idarado.
A Historic Landmark
The Smuggler-Union Powerplant was added to the National Register of Historic Places on December 27, 1979. This means it's recognized as an important historical site in the United States.
