Centerville Hydroelectric System, Powerhouse, Butte Creek, Centerville, Butte County, CA

Significance: The Centerville installation of the Francis turbine generation unit in 1907 was only the fifth Francis turbine installed on the Pacific Coast, and the first relatively high head turbine installed in the west, representing an innovative approach to long distance, high-voltage transmission. The success of the Centerville project encouraged further high head turbine installations throughout California and contributed significantly to the development and expansion of hydroelectric power generation throughout the nation.
Survey number: HAER CA-127-A
Building/structure dates: 1907 Initial Construction
Building/structure dates: 1914 Subsequent Work