Hydroelectric Power Plants
Before 1907 the City of Monroe had no electricity, so in 1907 James Jeppsen, J.H. Ericksen, and John H. Manson, decided to put a power plant in the old Bertlesen Flour Mill. They installed a 50 kilowatt tribune on the bottom floor of the mill and on Christmas Eve of that year the Lights came on for the first time. [The old Bertlesen Mill was located close to the mouth of Monroe Canyon, near the present day Monkey Town Fruit Orchard] In 1915 the city bought the holdings of these men, and continued to operate the plant. In February of 1917 during the middle of the night the mill/plant burned completely down, and the town was without power. As a result the City built a new smaller plant, just below the burned Mill Building, which was used for a few years to supply the town with power.
Bertlesen Mill
Canyon Power Plant
In 1924 they decided that a new bigger power plant was needed, so after touring many plants in the local area, and making plans they held an election to decide if they wanted to sell bonds to finance the project. It passed with a vote of 112 in favor of bonding and 22 opposing, they started construction on the new building and it was completed in early 1926. This building functioned for many years, until 1984 when the building was abandoned after a fire damaged and destroyed some of the equipment. This building still stands up Monroe Canyon just off the right side of the road.
As the town grew the demand for power increased and a second power plant was needed, so Monroe City sponsored a WPA project to build a new one. Construction was started in December of 1937 on this new plant at the mouth of First Left Hand [Just past the narrows] up Monroe Canyon; it was finished sometime the following year. This plant it still in use today.
After the fire destroyed equipment in the 1926 building a new power plant was constructed at the mouth of the canyon, next to the Ciy's irrigation pond. This power plant is still in operation today. The other plant not discussed was built next to the Hi-Roe Dairy, on the corner of 800 South and Bohman road.
Currently Monroe has three power plants in operation the 1937 building at the mouth of First Left Hand, the 1984 building near the irrigation pond, and the other located next to the Hi-Roe Dairy.
After the fire destroyed equipment in the 1926 building a new power plant was constructed at the mouth of the canyon, next to the Ciy's irrigation pond. This power plant is still in operation today. The other plant not discussed was built next to the Hi-Roe Dairy, on the corner of 800 South and Bohman road.
Currently Monroe has three power plants in operation the 1937 building at the mouth of First Left Hand, the 1984 building near the irrigation pond, and the other located next to the Hi-Roe Dairy.
