On September 30, 1882, the Vulcan Street Plant in Appleton, Wisconsin, began operation as one of the first commercial hydroelectric power plants in the United States. Built with support from Thomas Edison’s associates, the plant supplied electricity to a nearby paper mill and a few homes. Its success demonstrated the potential of hydropower as a reliable energy source. The project helped encourage further development of electric utilities and power grids. Hydroelectric generation remains an important component of U.S. electricity production today.
