IN 1913
LIGHTS ON
through
the Power House
home to the
Melfort & District Museum
Melfort & District Museum
401 Melfort Street, Melfort SK 306 752 5870
melfort.museum2@sasktel.net
melfort.museum@sasktel.net
DISCOVER
Throwing the switch
in 1913
JOURNEY
The red brick structure of the Melfort Power House was built in 1912 - 1913. By June
of 1913 the transformers and generators arrived. The 150 horsepower engine was
projected to allow the plant to create approximately 23,000 volts. A second engine
was added at a later date in 1915.
The Power House
is used as the
Museums main office
Inside you will find a variety of
small displays,
which are changed periodically
EXPLORE
Lights turned on last night
About 10:30 pm last night the power house engine
was started & electrical current generated. Conn
Mansell took a leading part in the ceremony by
closing the switches. The first he touched was
for street lights, but an open circuit prevented the
lamps from doing their duty. Then the switch for
building was closed and the hotels and others who
were connected up had the lights in use.
On Wednesday evening the lights were to have been
turned on but engineers and contractors did
not believe their reputation and the “juice” was not
turned on. The moon for the first time in several days
in derision shed its bright rays over the town instead.
The 150 h.p. Diesel engine is a wonderful machine
using crude oil and exploding it by the heat
generated by the high
pressure of 1,000 lbs. there being no batteries to start
it and the plant will generate 2,300 volts
The Melfort Journal, October 10,1913.
In August of 1929, for $100 000, Canadian Utilities Ltd. was granted the right to sell power to the citizens of Melfort for
a period of 20 years. In the early 1950s, the plant was dismantled; one engine was sold to Yorkton and the other was
sold to a scrap iron dealer. In 1949/early 1950's the structure was taken over by Saskpower. It is currently owned by
the Melfort and District Museum and the City of Melfort.
“The Power plant to my knowledge was operated by Chet Tatlow. When he moved to [Prince Albert], Bert French and
Jack Price took over the operation of the plant and distribution system.
From 1947-1950 Vince Elmer took over the operation of the plant; which was called Canadian Utilities until 1949 when
it became Sask. Power Commission.
In 1950 the plant ceased operation. There were two large 500 kW diesel generators, which faced east and west in the
north end of the power plant.
In 1951 the plant was dismantled. One engine sold to Yorkton and the other sold to a scrap iron dealer by the name of
Gurstein.
Remaining in the plant was the switch board panel for the town of Melfort. This switchboard handled three main
feeders; 23 volts each for the town, and the shunt transformer for the 6900 volt street lights.
Up to 1950 Melfort was supplied with power from [Prince Albert] and sometimes Tisdale on the 24000 volt system.
The Power plant in Melfort was used to pick up excessive load. The two diesel engines were started with air pressure
and had to be synchronized when picking up excessive load.
When these engines were dismantled the one that went for scrap iron had wheels so big and heavy they had no
machinery to break or load them, so they dragged them across the street north of the power plant and buried them in
a vacant lot, where they remain to this day.”
Gilbert Scott, et al.
The Powerhouse is used as the Museums main office and is open year-round to visitors. Inside you will find a
variety of small displays. These displays are changed periodically.
