Interior of Power House 3 Big Creek California

Interior of Power House 3 Big Creek California

Power House No. 3 (Big Creek, Calif.) -- Photographs.; Electric power transmission -- California -- Fresno County -- 20th century -- Photographs.; Hydroelectric power plants -- California -- Fresno County -- 20th century -- Photographs.; Big Creek (Calif.) -- Economic conditions -- 20th century -- Photographs.; Big Creek (Calif.) -- History -- 20th century -- Sources.

Electrical generators located inside Power House Number 3, part of California Edison's Big Creek Project in the Sierra mountains. Hailed by the press as "the Electrical Giant of the West" for its then 99,000 kilowatts of rated capacity made it the largest hydroelectric plant in the West. Power House Number 3 went into operation in 1923. The generators at this plant were the first Westinghouse units ever purchased by the Edison Company. Located at an elevation of 1,412 feet, Power House Number 3 is the operating headquarters for the Big Creek system, housing the control center for the entire project. The Big Creek system of six dams, eight tunnels, three artificial lakes and five power houses was completed in 1929 supplying electricity to customers in Southern and Central California.

1 photographic print (postcard) :b&w ;14 x 9 cm.

San Joaquin Valley Library System

ca 1923

Fresno County Public Library

This image is being made available for educational and research purposes only, under the "fair use" clause of the U.S. Copyright Law (Title 17, U.S.C.) Further questions regarding the image or its use may be directed to the Fresno County Public Library, Heritage Center, 2420 Mariposa St, Fresno, CA 93721. Phone: 559-600-6230 HeritageCenter@fresnolibrary.org

SJV Photo Heritage

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en

Image

frp0095

ca 1923