• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

SC Picture Project

The purpose of the South Carolina Picture Project is to celebrate the beauty of the Palmetto State while preserving some of its vanishing landscapes.

  • FIND A LANDMARK
    • BY CITY
    • BY COUNTY
    • BY CATEGORY
    • BYGONE LANDMARKS
  • ADD IMAGES
  • VOLUNTEERS
  • SPONSORS
  • DONATE
  • Subscribe!

Portman Shoals Generator

SC PICTURE PROJECT Leave a Comment

SC Picture Project / Anderson County / Portman Shoals Generator

This alternating-current generator was built by the Westinghouse Electric Company in 1911. It stands in the eponymous Generator Park in downtown Anderson. The generator was made to power the Portman Shoals Power Plant, established along the Seneca River in 1897 by innovator William C. Whitner. Whitner, who studied alternating currents in New York under Nicholas Tesla, had installed a 5,000-volt alternating-current generator at High Shoals along the Rocky River in 1894 to power water pumps for the newly-formed Anderson Water, Light and Power Company. When that succeeded, creating enough power to supply both water and lights to the city, Whitner was inspired to generate electricity for larger projects. Since that time, Anderson has been known as the Electric City.

Portman Shoals Generator Anderson

Charles Payne of Rock Hill, 2016 © Do Not Use Without Written Consent

In 1897 financial investors allowed Whitner to establish the 10,000-volt Portman Shoals Power Plant. Located 11 miles west of Anderson, the plant supplied water and electricity to homes and local businesses, most notably the Anderson Cotton Mill. The mill began operations in 1890 using steam power. After the Portman Shoals Plant replaced its power source, Anderson Cotton Mill became the first textile mill in the South to be powered by long-distance electric lines.

Portman Shoals Generator

Charles Payne of Rock Hill, 2016 © Do Not Use Without Written Consent

Whitner went on to establish other power plants across the South, working with a young engineer, W.S. Lee. Whitner partnered with a medical doctor and engineer, Dr. W. Gill Wylie, to establish the Catawba Power Plant along the Catawba River in York County. The plant initially struggled financially, and Whitner accepted a job in Richmond, Virginia with the Virginia Railroad and Power Company. A patient of Dr. Wylie’s, James B. Duke, learned of his doctor’s venture and financed the remainder of project, forming the Duke Power Company, now Duke Energy. Lake Wylie in Fort Mill is named for Dr. Wylie.

Portman Shoals Marker

Charles Payne of Rock Hill, 2016 © Do Not Use Without Written Consent

The Portman Shoals Power Plant, which became a Duke Power plant, closed on December 9, 1960. The generator seen here was first displayed at the Coleman Recreation Center. It was later moved to the grounds of a 10,000-square-foot park which honors the generator and the man who brought electricity to Anderson.

Plan Your Trip: Portman Shoals Generator

Where is Portman Shoals Generator located?
Address: East Whitner Street, Anderson, SC 29624
GPS Coordinates: 34.503593,-82.648334
What else should I see?
Anderson County Courthouse 0.2 mile
Chiquola Condominiums 0.2 mile
Sullivan-King Mortuary 0.4 mile
Anderson Carnegie Library 0.4 mile
Show me more like this!
  • Anderson Historic Sites
  • See other South Carolina Mills
  • See other South Carolina Parks
    Portman Shoals Generator Map

    Please Donate

    We’d like thank everyone who generously supports the South Carolina Picture Project. You provide us with the inspiration and financial support we need to keep doing what we do. Every reader contribution, big or small, is so valuable. If you have enjoyed this page or found it helpful, please pitch in. Even donation helps – and it only takes a minute. Thank you!

    Support the SC Picture Project!

    $1,085 of $7,500 raised
    $ 20.00
    Select Payment Method
    Personal Info

    Donation Total: $20.00

    Related posts:

    Embler Home in Anderson, SCEmbler Home Anderson Cotton Mill TowerAbney Mill Orr-Lyons Mills SmokestackOrr-Lyons Mill Gossett School, Williamston, SCGossett School Pendleton Oil MillPendleton Oil Mill

    Reader Interactions

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Primary Sidebar

    FIND A LANDMARK

    Your Email Here

    Help Keep This Site Online

    We depend on the support of today’s readers to document South Carolina’s historic landmarks for future generations. Please help us continue this important work by making a donation below.

    $1,085 of $7,500 raised
    $ 20.00
    Select Payment Method
    Personal Info

    Donation Total: $20.00

    Recent Posts

    • Strand Theater
    • Camden Depot
    • Charleston City Marina
    • Secession Hill
    • Faris Store

    Our Sponsor

    Footer

    ABOUT US

    We are a federally-recognized 501(c)(3) nonprofit that works to preserve the history of South Carolina’s historic, natural, and cultural landmarks before they are lost to time. This website serves as a permanent digital archive of over 2,300 South Carolina landmarks – and counting. Learn more about our work.

    CONTACT US

    We’d love to hear from you! Send us a quick email at share@scpictureproject.org.

    If you are looking for permission to use a photo, please reach out directly to the photographer listed in the image’s credit. If there is no link, contact us and we will do our best to help.

    SIGN UP

    Subscribe here to receive the “SC Photo of the Week” in your inbox! Each Tuesday, we highlight a different South Carolina landmark. Emails include the landmark’s history, its location and a map, and of course, incredible photos!

    South Carolina Picture Project © 2021 · All Rights Reserved