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Fox River Canal and Water Power History

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The Albion Mills was built in 1861 on the Fox River Canal in Kaukauna by Charles Cord and William T. Gray. It was later sold to John Stoveken and called the Eagle Flour Mill. It later became the first Paper Mill in Kaukauna.
A Reminescence transcribed from the Kaukauna newspaper in the early 1880's
Last Monday was the 18th anniversary of the dedication of the First flouring mill built in Kaukauna. The building was a frame structure standing on the same spot where the elegant stone structure erected by our esteemed townsman, John Stovekin (Sic Stoveken), is now located, and was built and fitted by the messrs, Cord & Gray who subsequently disposed of the property to Mr. Stoveken. (abt 1864) The name of the institution was the "Albion Mills" and it did good service for Kaukauna, Little Chute and the surrounding vicinity until the destruction by fire several years later.
The people of Kaukauna thought its completion an occasion of sufficient importance to celebrate by a dedication ball, which accordingly took place in the new building, the music being furnished by Ferris & Berkhaus' band, while judge Aiken played the drum. Nearly the entire population then residing in the village, together with many from Appleton were present. Among the latter were Dr. C E Ostransler, Henry D. Ryan, Dick Webb, Theodore Earl, John Jewett (This is likely John Hewitt), D. J. Brothers and Webb Ketchum. A most glorious time was had by all present, dancing being kept up until a late hour. ...

 

Canal

Lock 1 is at top of picture Lock 2,3 is below - Picture estimated 1950

Canal-B

Lock 3



This newspaper clipping came from the Milwaukee Commercial Herald Newspaper in 1843 and documented the First steamboat that attempted to pass up the Kaukauna Rapids (This was before the canal and lock system was built)

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Green Bay and Mississippi Canal, Kaukauna Water Power Company, Joseph Vilas, M. J. Mead, N. M. Edwards, Meade and Edwards Canal, Hewitt Canal, Outagamie Paper Company,
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Ledyard, Milwaukee Lakeshore and Western, Round House, St. Mary's Church, Yankee Hill
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Grand Kakalin, Morgan L. Martin, Captain T. J. Cram, Steamer Manchester, Captain Stephen Houghtailing,
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Luther Lindauer, Wood Lumber Coal, B. H. Bat Hayes, Peter Renn, John Renn, Edward Renn, John McMorrow, St. Paul Home, Pechman Studio, Frank Pechman, Marvis Schmidt, Lynn Pechman, Fawn Pechman, James Bambery, Myron Cross
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History written by J. Sensenbrenner about the Fox river and it's development
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Old Badger Hydro Electric Plant
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2006 Generators in Old Badger Hydro-Electric Plant
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Old Badger Hydro Building 2006 Built in 1907
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Planning for the new power house
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New Power house being built
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The Electric Plant in 1915
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12 - 39" water turbines 4200 Horsepower
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History of the Old Badger Hydro plant from the "Walking tour of Kaukauna"
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Stone Quarry, Lindauer Mill
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The Badger Mill smoke stack was used as a stack for an engine to pump water from the Hydro Electric plant construction site in 1907
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Supreme court decision on water power. Green Bay & Mississippi Canal company. Kaukauna water power company, Union Pulp Company, Outagamie Paper Company, Henry Hewit
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1860 Trip from Janesville to Oshkosh and down the Fox River mentions Little Chute and Kaukauna,
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1845 First steam travel from lake Michigan to the Mississipi river via Kaukauna

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1843 First steamboat attempts to go up the Rapids in Kaukauna
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1854 Advertisement Dowd & Lyon, Storage Forwarding & Commission Merchants, Dealers in Pork, Flour, Fish, Salt, Dried Apples, Candles, Soap, Candy, Cigars, Reuben Doud, M. H. Lyon

 

 



 





 

 

 

 



Company   HP Turbines and type Total Turbines ? ? Notes
Badger Paper Co Power Leased from Kaukauna Water Power Co - 17-20" and 4-45" Elmer 1-25" Humphrey, 2-18" and 1-33" S. Morgan Smith 25 16 450 Canal closed during last 10 months by order of the court
Brokaw Pulp Co Power Leased from Kaukauna Water Power Co - 2-66" American Turbine and 1-36" Special American Turbine 3 14 -  
Chicago & N W Railroad shops 75 HP Power Leased from Kaukauna Water Power Co 75 1-50" Imperial Elmer 1 7 110  
Kaukauna Electric Light Co. 100 HP Power Leased from Kaukauna Water Power Co 100 1-45" Leffel and 1-46" (Name not given) 2 14 160  
Kaukauna Fibre Co. 100 HP Power Leased from Kaukauna Water Power Co 100 1-15" and 1-45" New American Turbine 2 14 200  
Kaukauna Lumber & Mfg Co. 50 HP Power Leased from Kaukauna Water Power Co 50 1-61" Special Leffel 1 16 25 Use only 50 HP of water
Kaukauna Machine Co. 75 HP Power Leased from Kaukauna Water Power Co 75 1-48", 1-50" (Name not given) 2 14 15  
Kaukauna Water Power Co. 6500 HP 2500   - - -  
Russell Brothers 60 HP Power Leased from Kaukauna Water Power Co 60 1-36" and 1-40" Elmer 2 11 -  
Thilmany Pulp & Paper Co. 275 HP Power Leased from Kaukauna Water Power Co 275 2-30" and 2-35" Elmer 1-30" and 1-44: New American 6 14 175  
Western Paper Bag Co. 400 HP Power Leased from Kaukauna Water Power Co 400 1-25" American, 3-66 New American, 1-40" Elmer, 2-27" Hercules, 1-66" Leffel 8 15 310  
Kleins Mill     4-45" Elmer 4 14