The Early History of Water Power: From Medieval Mills to Water .
WEBJust a few weeks later, on September 30th, 1882, the world's first hydroelectric power plant began operation on the Fox River in Appleton, Wisconsin. The hydroelectric plant was built by Appleton paper manufacturer Rogers and it would later be named the Appleton Edison Light Company. Dam Across River, Appleton, Wis. [between 1880 and 1899].