Originally called the Willamette Falls Powerhouse (referred to as the powerhouse or dynamo house, it was renamed Station A after Station B (now called Sullivan) was built on the west side of the river.
The Willamette River is the 10th largest river in the lower 48 states. To meet Portland’s increasing power needs, Station A was built by the Willamette Falls Electric Company. Founded in November 1888, the Willamette Falls Electric Company was an early predecessor of PGE.
A 14-mile transmission line to Portland was erected and on June 3, 1889, the first generating unit was connected to provide street lighting in Portland. On June 10th, a second unit was connected to help power electric trolley in the city. These were the first instances of long-distance transmission of electricity for commercial purposes in the United States.
Realizing that Portland’s power needs were only going to increase, the Willamette Falls Electric Company was taking the unprecedented step of planning an alternating current (AC) system. The Company worked with W.C. Cheney, an electrical engineer noted for his progressive position on AC. The six 4,000-volt single-phase AC generators (dynamos) on the turbine deck of Station A were ordered from the Westinghouse Electric and Manufacturing Company – the only manufacturer willing to design and build such large equipment at the time.
Westinghouse insisted that it be absolved of any responsibility for unsatisfactory or unsuccessful operation. The generators were installed in the summer of 1890 and began transmitting electricity to Portland accomplishing another first – the first instance of long-distance transmission of alternating current for commercial purposes in the United States. In 1892, Portland General Electric Company was formed when the Willamette Falls Electric Company and the Willamette Transportation and Locks Company merged. And then, in 1897, the Willamette Falls Powerhouse was closed as a generation plant.
1889-1897 (decommissioned)
Commercial operation
Willamette River, Oregon City
Location
Station A
1889 - 1897
Willamette Falls Powerhouse
History of PGE
Electrifying Oregon
Powering Progress
A Thoughtful Transition
History of PGE
Electrifying Oregon
Powering Progress
A Thoughtful Transition