Adams Power Plant Transformer House, Hydroelectric power station in Niagara Falls, United States
The Adams Power Plant Transformer House is a limestone building beside the upper Niagara River featuring classical architectural details. It has high ceilings and extended rectangular windows that reflect the grand design of industrial architecture from that era.
The building was constructed in 1895 and was the first major commercial use of alternating current systems based on Nikola Tesla's polyphase technology. It played a key role in the early history of modern electricity distribution.
The building was designed by the renowned architectural firm McKim, Mead and White, showing how engineering and classical design came together in that era. Visitors can see how people valued beauty and function together in an industrial setting.
The building sits close to the Niagara River and is easily reached from the riverside area. It is a historic site, so interior conditions may be limited and visitors should expect a modest setup.
The building is the sole surviving piece of the larger Adams plant complex that revolutionized power generation. Visitors see a piece of industrial history that shows how closely engineering and architecture worked together in that era.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.