Property Record
BRIDGE ST AT CHIPPEWA RIVER
Architecture and History Inventory
| Historic Name: | Northern States Power Company Power Plant |
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| Other Name: | Northern States Power Co. Power Plant; Pioneer Public |
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| Reference Number: | 3147 |
| Location (Address): | BRIDGE ST AT CHIPPEWA RIVER |
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| County: | Chippewa |
| City: | Chippewa Falls |
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| Year Built: | 1927 |
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| Additions: | |
| Survey Date: | 1984 |
| Historic Use: | power plant |
| Architectural Style: | Astylistic Utilitarian Building |
| Structural System: | |
| Wall Material: | Brick |
| Architect: | BYLLESBY ENGINEERING |
| Other Buildings On Site: | |
| Demolished?: | No |
| Demolished Date: |
| National/State Register Listing Name: | Not listed |
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| Additional Information: | A 'site file' exists for this property. It contains additional information such as correspondence, newspaper clippings, or historical information. It is a public record and may be viewed in person at the Wisconsin Historical Society, State Historic Preservation Office. Brick surface divided by capped brick pilasters; projecting area of facade has a rectangular pediment (formerly had a gable shaped facade and a triangular pediment on the south, north and rear); smoke stack in angle of facade. The Northern States Power Plant is characterized by brick walls that are articulated by capped brick pilasters and was originally further ornamented by Neo-Classical Revival influenced cornices and multiple pediments. Also once known as the Pioneer Public Service Power Plant, the Northern States Plant, although suffering from loss of architectural integrity, is an important historic structure in the city of Chippewa Falls. FALSE FRONTS CENTERED ON EACH FACE, SHIELD SHAPED DEVICE IN FF FACING WATER. Additional map code 42-29. Construction of the Northern States Power Dam and Power Plant began in 1927; thw work was completed in 1928 (A)(B). The builder was Byllesby Engineering and Management Corporation (Chicago & New York) (C). The Northern States Power Plant and dam site are historically important on a regional level as the first plant and dam constructed by Northern States Power in west central Wisconsin. Nevertheless, the importance of hydroelectric power to the region is best represented by the first dam and plant, Wissota, constructed by Wisconsin - Minnesota Power and Light. (D). On a local level the site of the present plant is historically important as the site of the original "big mill" of the Chippewa Lumber and Boom Company, as well as the dam site for the Union Lumbering Company. |
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| Bibliographic References: | (A) Chippewa Herald-Telegram 19 February, 1927. (B) Chippewa Herald-Telegram 2 August, 1928. (C) Chippewa Herald-Telegram 30 November, 1926. (D) "Hydro Power: Energy Made in Wisconsin," Northern States Power Communications Department (Eau Claire, Wisconsin). CHIPPEWA FALLS HERALD TELEGRAM 4/30/1996. |
| Wisconsin Architecture and History Inventory, State Historic Preservation Office, Wisconsin Historical Society, Madison, Wisconsin |