Stairs Station Hydroelectric Power Plant Historic District

Stairs Station Hydroelectric Power Plant is a historic water-powered electricity facility located in Big Cottonwood Canyon with a two-level powerhouse. Water flows down through pipes and channels to turn turbines that generated electricity.

The facility was built in 1894-1895 to supply electricity to Salt Lake City and played a role in the early electrification of the region. The project came from the need to use water from the mountains and provide modern energy sources for the growing city.

The powerhouse shows Renaissance Revival architecture that was typical for Utah's industrial development in the late 1800s. The building design and layout of the machinery areas reflect how people took pride in this new energy technology.

The site sits in a mountain canyon, so weather and road conditions vary by season. The best time to explore is during warmer months when the access roads are easily passable.

The building keeps much of its original equipment inside, including the turbines and machinery from that time. This makes it a rare example of a fully preserved facility from that era of water power development.

Location: Salt Lake County

GPS coordinates: 40.62520,-111.74400

Latest update: December 14, 2025 14:42