The History of PGE
From the early beginnings as Willamette Falls Electric Company, Portland Electric Power Company (PEPCO) and finally as Portland General Electric (PGE), PGE has a unique and significant history that has shaped the Willamette Valley and beyond. It is a fascinating story of transforming the lives of customers and the communities served that began over 150 years ago. And it’s one PGE is proud to share and celebrate today. Looking forward to powering Oregon’s clean energy future, PGE continues to be passionate about preserving the rich history of the region through protecting the past.
Electrifying Oregon
1940s - 1980s
1990s - Present
History of PGE
Electrifying Oregon
Powering Progress
A Thoughtful Transition
The History of PGE
Portland General Electric (PGE), along with its predecessor companies, has a unique and significant history that has shaped the Willamette Valley and beyond into what it is today over the last 150 plus years. As a company, PGE is proud of our story and wants to celebrate the history powering Oregon with our customers and the public. PGE is dedicated to preserving aspects of our history through protecting the past, while powering the future as we look towards a decarbonized future.
Powering Oregon Since 1889
PGE’s story begins in 1889, when a generator at Willamette Falls produced enough power to light 55 streetlamps located fourteen miles away in Portland, Oregon. That may not seem like a big deal but stringing electrical wires that distance had never been done before. Fortunately, PGE’s founders had confidence it could be achieved and as a result, the company has the distinction of creating the nation’s first long distance transmission of electricity.
Additional Resources:
Bringing Power to Ideas
PGE Photo Collection
History of PGE
1860s - 1930s
1930s - 1980s
1990s - Today
A Thoughtful Transition
Powering Progress
Electrifying Oregon
Many challenges would follow that bright beginning. Oregonians had to be educated about the potential uses of this new and mysterious power source. But adaptation was quick and as wonderful timesaving home electrical appliances were developed, demand for electricity skyrocketed. Soon, PGE was building a robust network of power plants along with innovative ways for customers to use energy more efficiently.
Today, it’s easy to take electricity and all that it provides for granted. But it took years of planning and hard work by dedicated people, along with the support of residents and customers, to bring us all to this point. PGE continues to celebrate and operate historic hydroelectric power plants, while bringing new forms of sustainable generation online to support the growing demand.
1860s - 1930s
Powering Progress
A Thoughtful Transition
1860s - 1930s
1940s - 1980s
Powering Oregon Since 1889
Our story begins in 1889, when a generator at Willamette Falls produced enough power to light 55 streetlamps located fourteen miles away in Portland, Oregon. That may not seem like a big deal but stringing electrical wires that distance had never been done before. Fortunately, PGE’s founders had confidence it could be achieved and as a result, Portland General Electric has the distinction of creating the nation’s first long distance transmission of electricity.
Many challenges would follow that bright beginning. Oregonians had to be educated about the potential uses of this new and mysterious power source. But adaptation was quick and as wonderful timesaving home electrical appliances were developed, demand for electricity skyrocketed. Soon, PGE was building a robust network of power plants along with innovative ways for customers to use energy more efficiently.
Today, it’s easy to take electricity and all that it provides for granted. But it took years of planning and hard work by dedicated people, along with the support of our customers, to bring us to this point. At PGE, we continue to celebrate and operate historic hydroelectric power plants, while bringing new forms of sustainable generation online to support the growing demand.
Additional Resources:
Bringing Power to Ideas
PGE Photo Collection
Our story begins in 1889, when a generator at Willamette Falls produced enough power to light 55 streetlamps located fourteen miles away in Portland, Oregon. That may not seem like a big deal but stringing electrical wires that distance had never been done before. Fortunately, PGE’s founders had confidence it could be achieved and as a result, Portland General Electric has the distinction of creating the nation’s first long distance transmission of electricity.
Many challenges would follow that bright beginning. Oregonians had to be educated about the potential uses of this new and mysterious power source. But adaptation was quick and as wonderful timesaving home electrical appliances were developed, demand for electricity skyrocketed. Soon, PGE was building a robust network of power plants along with innovative ways for customers to use energy more efficiently.
Today, it’s easy to take electricity and all that it provides for granted. But it took years of planning and hard work by dedicated people, along with the support of our customers, to bring us to this point. At PGE, we continue to celebrate and operate historic hydroelectric power plants, while bringing new forms of sustainable generation online to support the growing demand.
1990s - Present
(Oregon Historical Society)
Electrifying Oregon
1860s - 1930s
Powering Progress
1940s - 1980s
A Thoughtful Transition
1990s - Present
Show All
1868 | Willamette Falls Canal and Locks Company
Willamette Falls: the birthplace of an electric Oregon & PGE
PGE Photo Collection
Forever Evolving
Powering the Future
A Thoughtful Transition
Clackamas Project Expansion
Building Reliable Power Plants
Powering Progress
Willamette Falls
Clackamas River Construction
Electrifying Oregon
History of PGE
View the 1860s - 1930s Timeline
1889 | Willamette Falls Powerhouse (Station A)
Willamette Falls: the birthplace of an electric Oregon & PGE
Learn about Station A
1895 | T.W. Sullivan Powerhouse (Station B)
Willamette Falls: the birthplace of an electric Oregon & PGE
Learn about Station B
1924 | Oak Grove Powerhouse (Station P)
Constructing Hydropower on the Clackamas River
View the 1860s - 1930s Timeline
1924 | Three Lynx Village
Constructing Hydropower on the Clackamas River
Learn about Three Lynx Village
1911 | River Mill Powerhouse (Station M)
Constructing Hydropower on the Clackamas River
View the 1860s - 1930s Timeline
1907 | Faraday Powerhouse (Station G)
Constructing Hydropower on the Clackamas River
View the 1860s - 1930s Timeline
1911 | The Milliken Transmission Line
Constructing Hydropower on the Clackamas River
Learn about The Milliken Transmission Line
1909 | Electric Building
Constructing Hydropower on the Clackamas River
View the 1860s - 1930s Timeline
1956 | Frog Lake
Expansion of the Clackamas River Hydroelectric Project
View the 1940s - 1980s Timeline
1956 | Timothy Lake
Expansion of the Clackamas River Hydroelectric Project
View the 1940s - 1980s Timeline
1953 | PGE Parks & Recreation
Expansion of the Clackamas River Hydroelectric Project
View the 1940s - 1980s Timeline
1965 | Bethel-Round Butte Transmission Line
Building Reliable Power Plants
Learn about Bethel-Round Butte Transmission Line
1958 | Pelton Dam & Powerhouse
Building Reliable Power Plants
View the 1940s - 1980s Timeline
1964 | Round Butte Dam & Powerhouse
Building Reliable Power Plants
View the 1940s - 1980s Timeline
1958 | North Fork Hydroelectric Plant
Expansion of the Clackamas River Hydroelectric Project
Learn about North Fork Hydroelectric Plant
1980 | Boardman Coal Power Plant
Building Reliable Power Plants
Learn about Boardman Coal Power Plant
1976 | Trojan Nuclear Power Plant
Building Reliable Power Plants
Learn about Trojan Nuclear Power Plant
1974 | Beaver Combustion Plant
Building Reliable Power Plants
Learn about Beaver Combustion Plant
2014 | Tucannon River Wind Farm
Powering the Future
Learn about Tucannon River Wind Farm
2007 | Biglow Canyon Wind Farm
Powering the Future
Learn about Biglow Canyon Wind Farm
2007 | Port Westward
Forever Evolving
Learn about Port Westward
2016 | Carty Generating Station
Forever Evolving
View the 1990s - Present Timeline
2020 | Wheatridge Renewable Energy Facility
Powering the Future
View the 1990s - Present Timeline
1909 | Electric Building
Constructing Hydropower on the Clackamas River
View the 1860s - 1930s Timeline
1911 | The Milliken Transmission Line
Constructing Hydropower on the Clackamas River
Learn about The Milliken Transmission Line
1907 | Faraday Powerhouse (Station G)
Constructing Hydropower on the Clackamas River
View the 1860s - 1930s Timeline
1911 | River Mill Powerhouse (Station M)
Constructing Hydropower on the Clackamas River
View the 1860s - 1930s Timeline
1924 | Three Lynx Village
Constructing Hydropower on the Clackamas River
Learn about Three Lynx Village
1924 | Oak Grove Powerhouse (Station P)
Constructing Hydropower on the Clackamas River
View the 1860s - 1930s Timeline
1895 | T.W. Sullivan Powerhouse (Station B)
Willamette Falls: the birthplace of an electric Oregon & PGE
Learn about Station B
1889 | Willamette Falls Powerhouse (Station A)
Willamette Falls: the birthplace of an electric Oregon & PGE
Learn about Station A
1868 | Willamette Falls Canal and Locks Company
Willamette Falls: the birthplace of an electric Oregon & PGE
View the 1860s - 1930s Timeline
1974 | Beaver Combustion Plant
Building Reliable Power Plants
Learn about Beaver Combustion Plant
1976 | Trojan Nuclear Power Plant
Building Reliable Power Plants
Learn about Trojan Nuclear Power Plant
1980 | Boardman Coal Power Plant
Building Reliable Power Plants
Learn about Boardman Coal Power Plant
1958 | North Fork Hydroelectric Plant
Expansion of the Clackamas River Hydroelectric Project
Learn about North Fork Hydroelectric Plant
1964 | Round Butte Dam & Powerhouse
Building Reliable Power Plants
View the 1940s - 1980s Timeline
1958 | Pelton Dam & Powerhouse
Building Reliable Power Plants
View the 1940s - 1980s Timeline
1965 | Bethel-Round Butte Transmission Line
Building Reliable Power Plants
Learn about Bethel-Round Butte Transmission Line
1956 | Timothy Lake
Expansion of the Clackamas River Hydroelectric Project
View the 1940s - 1980s Timeline
1956 | Frog Lake
Expansion of the Clackamas River Hydroelectric Project
View the 1940s - 1980s Timeline
1953 | PGE Parks & Recreation
Expansion of the Clackamas River Hydroelectric Project
View the 1940s - 1980s Timeline
2007 | Port Westward
Forever Evolving
Learn about Port Westward
2007 | Biglow Canyon Wind Farm
Powering the Future
Learn about Biglow Canyon Wind Farm
2016 | Carty Generating Station
Forever Evolving
View the 1990s - Present Timeline
2020 | Wheatridge Renewable Energy Facility
Powering the Future
View the 1990s - Present Timeline
2014 | Tucannon River Wind Farm
Powering the Future
Learn about Tucannon River Wind Farm
