Folsom Powerhouse
Why it's listed
Built in 1895 on the American River at Folsom, this hydroelectric plant sent power 22 miles to Sacramento. The main building has two stories, with a granite lower level, thick walls and a corrugated iron roof. Eight-foot inlet pipes fed four pairs of turbines connected to generators that were the largest three-phase dynamos built up to that time. A smaller frame powerhouse from 1897 holds a fifth generator driven by rope and pulley, and now serves as a museum. The Folsom Water Power Company, led by Horatio P. Livermore, built the plant with General Electric equipment when many doubted that current could travel far. On July 13, 1895, the switch was thrown and lights came on in Sacramento, which later held an electric carnival. Pacific Gas and Electric acquired the plant in 1905 and donated it to the state in 1952. It is California Historical Landmark No. 633.
Significance in brief: The plant marked one of the first successful uses of hydroelectric power in the world and showed that electricity could be transmitted over long distances. Its power travelled 22 miles to Sacramento, where it ran street railways and lighting. It is also California Historical Landmark No. 633.
Machine-generated summary. This summary was generated by a language model from the official nomination document and has not been reviewed line by line by an editor. It may contain errors. Check the source document before relying on any detail. Source: nomination document (PDF) · National Archives catalog entry. NRHP reference 73000426, listed October 2, 1973. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | Off Folsom Blvd. in Folsom Lake State Recreation Area, Folsom |
|---|---|
| County | Sacramento County |
| Listed | October 2, 1973 |
| Reference number | 73000426 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 19th Century (specific date 1895) |
| Architect / builder | Folsom Water Power Company (Horatio P. Livermore, Charles E. Livermore, Albert Gallatin); equipment supplied by General Electric Company |
| Areas of significance | Industry, Engineering |
| Level of significance | National |
| National Historic Landmark | Yes, designated May 29, 1981 |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Canal is dry and the building no longer generates power; structures are described as mostly in good condition, with the lower powerhouse maintained and used as a museum. Owned by the California Department of Parks and Recreation. |
| Acreage | 12 |
| Coordinates | 38.68018, -121.17693 (NPS GIS) |
What listing means for this property
National Register listing is honorary: it recognises significance and does not restrict what a private owner may do without federal money or permits. It unlocks the 20% federal rehabilitation tax credit for income-producing buildings, state credits in many states, and Section 106 review when federal agencies are involved. See what listing means in practice.
General information, not legal or tax advice. Rules change; confirm with your State Historic Preservation Office or a qualified adviser.
Sources and further reading
- National Park Service, National Register of Historic Places database (snapshot May 2026), reference 73000426.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q5464868
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.