Schoellkopf Hydro Power Station 60th Comemoration of tragic rockslide disaster 6/7/16

This 60th anniversary of the famous Schoellkopf Power Station disaster hosted by the New York Office of Parks Recreation and Historic Preservation. On June 7th, 1956, 2/3rds of one of the world's first and largest hydro electric power stations of its kind (built in stages between 1903-1924) was destroyed in a massive 120,000 ton rock slide which killed a maintenance supervisor at the plant, Richard A. Draper. (The remainder of the station, 3A--of the A,B,C facilities along the bottom of the gorge holding the generators and turbines), was restored but closed in 1961 in favor of the Power vista in Lewiston, NY.) It was certainly a day many people still vividly remember, both in America and Canada. Here, his son Lloyd Draper (L) and Rene Sauvageau (R), a worker for Niagara-Mohawk at the time and for the station at the time, recount their stories next to the decorated memorial plaque of that day upon the site located near the Niagara Gorge Discovery Center at Niagara Falls State Park. Much of the former station's spectacular remains can still be seen and visited for free with a restored elevator service within the 1913-built stone shaft to the bottom. A self-guided tour brochure is currently available within the upper lobby to help you on your journey to a rather exciting but also sacred site. This historic site is on the list of the National Register of Historic Places. The rebuilt top portion of the older elevator shaft can be seen in the video alongside the guests. Cover photo from the Buffalo News.

[@mikemccullough4680]

My dad, Fred McCullough, worked there until 1961, when he transferred to the Glenmont,
New York Niagara Mohawk Steam plant.
I remember that dad worked with Dick Snopkowski,
whose son now flies for Rainbow Air, over the falls.

[@JJMHigner]

Very good! Thank you for sharing that!

[@JJMHigner]

Sorry for the wind noise at times. Luckily, it all went well.

[@cherylthiery7192]

My. DAD worked there.he was the last man out. MR.Draper was behind him and turned back for something.