Mechanicville Hydroelectric Plant

The Mechanicville Hydroelectric Plant spans the western channel of the Hudson River with a 220-foot (67-meter) wide concrete building housing horizontally mounted turbines. The facility continues to generate electricity by harnessing the river's flow through its original machinery.

Construction took place between 1897 and 1898, with the plant delivering its first power to General Electric in July 1898. It represented one of the early demonstrations of how water power could supply electricity to major industrial operations.

The plant stood as a symbol of technological hope when the region transformed industrially and people first harnessed river power for factory work. Visitors can see how the machines inside the concrete buildings still convert the river's force into electricity.

The site sits directly on the Hudson River with visibility from nearby roads, offering a clear view of the imposing concrete structure. Visitors should note this is an active industrial facility where access may be limited.

The plant operates at 40 Hertz frequency, preserving its original electrical specifications from the late 1800s. This older power standard is uncommon today and shows how electricity generation varied in its early years.