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Folsom Powerhouse Accomplishments

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Perched high above the shore of Lake Natoma, Folsom Powerhouse State Historic Park displays the work of men who were critical to the creation of electric power systems in use today. The Powerhouse, with its original 1895 equipment, illustrates how power systems were constructed in the late 19th century. It is the work of a General Electric (GE) Corporation team of many brilliant individuals whose contributions were not always recognized in their lifetimes. Many attempts have been made to describe the significance and stunning accomplishments of the Folsom Powerhouse. The word “first” is commonly used. This claim is sometimes incorrectly applied and does not do justice to the GE team that brought together all the advanced technology of the day to create a showcase hydroelectric power facility. …show more content…

In 1884, Judge Lorenzo Sawyer's ruling against the North Bloomfield Mining and Gravel Company (for the full story, see Malakoff Diggings) ended hydraulic mining and created a base of unemployed workers with journeyman skills in hydro engineering. Their experience with penstocks and monitor nozzles was invaluable, and they were eager for work. As mine shafts replaced hydraulic mining, a power source was needed to operate water pumps, air pumps, stamp mills, lighting, and other machinery. Steam power plants required boilers, piping, the ongoing costs of coal or wood fuel, and a significant workforce to run the operation. Even with the cost of building dams, hydroelectricity was a less expensive option. One of the first recorded uses of hydroelectric power for mining in California was the 1889 DC powerhouse for the Dalmatia mine in El Dorado County. Mine owners whose facilities were distant from a water source were eager to try the new AC technology. Those that did began achieving milestone transmission distances. Poly-phase

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