Tesla and Niagara Falls 

While growing up in modern-day Croatia, Nikola Tesla saw a photograph of Niagara Falls and dreamed about harnessing its power someday. In 1893, Tesla would achieve that dream when he began working on the world’s first hydroelectric power station.

When Tesla emigrated to the U.S. in 1884, he had only four cents to his name and a letter of recommendation from Thomas Edison’s engineer in charge of European operations. Edison hired the young immigrant but only under the condition that he stop pursuing the idea of alternating current.

At the time, electricity was transmitted by direct current and could travel no more than 100 yards. This was only enough power to light a bulb! Tesla wanted to develop a system of alternating current that would yield far more power and travel much longer distances.

In less than a year, Tesla struck out on his own. He formed a powerful partnership with George Westinghouse and the Westinghouse Electric and Manufacturing Company.

In 1893, Westinghouse was awarded the contract for a hydroelectric power station that would utilize the natural power of Niagara Falls to provide electricity to local industries and beyond. One of their competitors was Thomas Edison and his system of direct current. The project was backed by a team of wealthy investors, including J.P. Morgan and W.K. Vanderbilt.

Despite many challenges, the massive power station was built in three years near the upper Niagara River. It was the first, large-scale complex to use alternating current in the world.

In 1895, electricity transmitted from Niagara Falls reached a nearby factory in the city. In 1896, the flip of a switch caused the first power to surge from Niagara Falls to Buffalo. Tesla’s brilliant system had worked!

In 1927, the entire complex was renamed the Edward Dean Adams Power Station after the president of the company which oversaw its construction. Today, all that remains of the complex is The Adams Power Plant Transformer House. It is located on Buffalo Avenue and listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Inspired by the famed waterfall, Nikola Tesla and his AC electricity transformed Niagara Falls. “As a cheap and convenient source of electrical power, it became a magnet for industry,” which boosted its population, economy, and significance on a national and global scale.

Visitors to Niagara Falls can learn more about Tesla and his many innovations at the Niagara Power Vista and the Cave of the Winds attraction. On Goat Island, there is also an impressive bronze monument of Tesla overlooking the Falls.

Hope L. Russell, Ph.D.