folsom powerhouse

zimagrrl

This place has an excellent display in the visitor center, wonderful docents who can answer almost all of your questions, and a beautiful setting right on the river in Old Town Folsom. And it's all free! You can't beat that for a family day out, and you might even learn something! Folsom was the first to transmit AC power for commercial and residential use over a long distance (although Niagara Falls can make a similar claim). If you think about how much we rely on electricity today in our homes and businesses, this is a fairly significant achievement. Go check it out!

mini

There is a nice visitor center that explains the history of the Folsom dam and powerhouse. The staff here is very nice and informative. Admission is free;there is a a $5.00 charge for parking, The outdoor areas to see the powerhouse, which is the first one in California, is scenic and interesting to see.

folsomite

This is a very cool powerhouse site, 1890s and unique. great docent led tours, plus also a nice new interpretive center. its walking distance to historic Sutter Street in Folsom, so you can take a break from the stores and restaurants for something you will remember the rest of your life.

GSmith07

Brought a picnic lunch for the kiddos and just sat and had a day. Walked around the water and took the Powerhouse tour. This place is impressive, but the younger kids got bored quickly. My teenagers were more interested in the history.

544billk

The first powerhouse in CA is very well preserved. The original turbines, generators, and electrical control panels are on display, with a guide that will explain what was required to start, and operate the machinery. The historical powerhouse is located close to historic Folsom, Sutter St. Wonderful technology for the time period.

MikeC382

This is the first AC powerhouse. The site is excellent but it wasn't very well labelled so our experiences varied depending on the knowledge of the docent.

PaulC868

Easy walk from old Folsom. You can see the turbines, generators, control panel, machine shop of the first AC hydro-electric plants opened in 1891. There are hand generators and some other things for the kids to try. Nice grounds and for contrast, a Maidu grinding rock by the river. Great docent info.