High Quality Content by WIKIPEDIA articles! The Vulcan Street Plant is the world`s first Edison hydroelectric central station. Built on the Fox River in Appleton, Wisconsin, the Vulcan Street Plant was put into operation on September 30, 1882. According to the American Society of Mechanical Engineers, the Vulcan Street plant is considered to be "the first hydro-electric central station to serve a system of private and commercial customers in North America." It is now a National Historic Engineering Landmark.