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 We have a winner!! Michelle L. (Norman) Moore of Covington, GA sent us an email with the correct answer: Electricity coming to Orofino. Michelle was in the Orofino High School Class of 1990. According to information from the Clearwater Historical Museum, Orofino's first electric lighting came from a small 100 watt horsepower water plant operated in conjunction with a sawmill owned by Hunsberger and Boehl. K.C. Osterhout bought the site and established Orofino's first electric lighting plant. According to Ralph Shriver, "When the lights would dim a little, it was caused by cows drinking from the flume." In 1912, it was converted into a steam plant and owned at various times by Lewis County, Grangeville Light and Power, Pacific Power and Light Company and in 1930 became part of Washington Light and Power. Monday: Cows impacted it. Tuesday: The first one was connected to a saw mill. Wednesday: Water flumes were used. Thursday: It lit up people's lives. Friday: By 1912 this utility was provided from a steam plant. Saturday: It was started by KC Osterhout, but ended up owned by Washington Water Power. |
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| Window on the Clearwater P.O. Box 2444 Orofino, ID 83544 208-476-0733 Fax: 208-476-3407 |