Detroit United Railway - Powerhouse B (Detroit, Michigan)

 historical layer / disappeared object  Add category

 Upload a photo

In 1896, the Detroit Railway constructed a powerhouse on the site of the former Scranton and Faulconer lumber yards to provide electricity for its street car network. In 1901, the Detroit Railway became part of the consolidated Detroit United Railway. With consolidation it became known as Station B to distinguish it from Station A powerhouse, which was constructed by the Detroit Citizens Railway Company, a rival street car company that was also included in the new consolidated company, located on the north side of Atwater Street. Expanded in 1905 and 1915, the plant featured three 240 foot high chimneys. In 1922, the City of Detroit acquired the Detroit United Railway and established Detroit Street Railway which operated the plant until 1928 when the City opened the Mistersky power plant operated by the Public Lighting Commission which eliminated the need for the Atwater Street plant.

The property continued to be operated as a substation of the Public Lighting Commission. The power plant portion of the building was demolished in 1941 and in 1959, the property was sold to the neighboring Portland Huron Cement Company.






twitter.com/detroitstreetvu/status/1007112748000571397