Oneida Street Station
Oneida Street Station | |
 Oneida Street Station | |
  | |
| Location | 108 E. Wells St. Milwaukee, Wisconsin |
|---|---|
| Built | 1900 |
| Architect | Herman Esser |
| Architectural style | Neoclassical revival |
| NRHP reference No. | 84000701[1] |
| Added to NRHP | December 6, 1984 |
Oneida Street Station, also known as the East Wells Power Plant, was a power plant operated by The Milwaukee Electric Railway & Light Company. Constructed from 1898 to 1900, it was designed by architect Herman V. Esser in neoclassical revival style. The building is located in downtown Milwaukee, Wisconsin, at the Milwaukee River and Wells street, which was once known as Oneida Street.
From 1918 to 1920, the plant was the site of pioneering experiments into the use of pulverized coal-fired boilers. This change was seen as controversial, and was opposed by many engineers. Soon, however, boilers all over the country began using pulverized coal, due to the greater efficiency of the process. For this, the site is recognized as a National Historic Mechanical Engineering Landmark by the American Society of Mechanical Engineers.
The power plant was decommissioned and the building was renovated in 1987. The building currently houses the Patty and Jay Baker Theater Complex and the Milwaukee Repertory Theater.