| A CN local clears S. Vulcan St. as it prepares to spot a boxcar for the Neenah Paper mill (formerly Fox River Paper Co.), 600 S. Vulcan St., via former C&NW rails on Grand Chute Island in 'The Flats' at Appleton, WI on 6 Oct. '18. The Fox River Paper Co. was founded in 1883. It experienced numerous changes in ownership between 1961 and 2007, when it was purchased by Neenah Paper, Inc. The Neenah Paper Co. was organized in 1885, taking over a mill started by the Patten Paper Co. in 1873. The small white, building background right is a replica of the Vulcan Street Plant, the country's (world's) first Edison hydroelectric central station designed to serve both residential and commercial customers. It began operation 25 Nov. 1882. This replica stands at the approximate location of the original. This generator was identical to its more famous twin, which was installed in the Appleton Paper and Pulp Co. mill 3/4-mile upstream and began supplying electricity 30 Sep. ‘82. That one was commercial only, although it did also supply the paper mill owner’s, Henry J. Rogers, neighboring home. There is a surprising amount of inaccurate and inconsistent information regarding these two electrical facilities on the internet. Over the past several years, I have noticed that some misinformed individuals erroneously refer to ‘The Flats’ as ‘Oneida Flats,’ or some variation of same. However, the historic, industrial heart of Appleton is simply ‘The Flats.’ |