Built circa 1906, the power plant was located at the Nieuwe Kade. This is a quay along the river Rhine, just a stone’s throw away from the centre of Arnhem. As far as I know, the privately owned station bore no official name. It was commonly known as the Elektrische Centrale, which could be translated as ‘Electrical Plant’. It will probably not come as a surprise that the plant generated electricity. This, however, was quite special: At the time the power station opened, street lighting in Arnhem, for example, ran on gas. Arnhem (and the Netherlands in general) would adapt to electricity in the years and decades that followed.
The Elektrische Centrale operated until 1938. The building survived World War II, but it did suffer extensive damage. Despite the destruction, the plant was fully restored and directly after the war motorcycle and moped manufacturer Kaptein took over the premises. In Arnhem, Kaptein produced the popular moped ‘Mobylette’. In 1954, the factory moved to another part of town and this fine piece of industrial heritage was sadly demolished that same year.
This photograph was taken in 1911.
Special thanks to Facebook page ‘Oud-Arnhem‘ for the photograph and additional information.
EDIT: Replaced word and altered sentence.
MasterFubarsays
Arnhem: a bridge too far. I love that film.
UnlubricatedUnicornsays
It’s giving me Fallout New Vegas nuclear power plant vibes.
JohnPlayerSpecialRed says
Built circa 1906, the power plant was located at the Nieuwe Kade. This is a quay along the river Rhine, just a stone’s throw away from the centre of Arnhem. As far as I know, the privately owned station bore no official name. It was commonly known as the Elektrische Centrale, which could be translated as ‘Electrical Plant’. It will probably not come as a surprise that the plant generated electricity. This, however, was quite special: At the time the power station opened, street lighting in Arnhem, for example, ran on gas. Arnhem (and the Netherlands in general) would adapt to electricity in the years and decades that followed.
The Elektrische Centrale operated until 1938. The building survived World War II, but it did suffer extensive damage. Despite the destruction, the plant was fully restored and directly after the war motorcycle and moped manufacturer Kaptein took over the premises. In Arnhem, Kaptein produced the popular moped ‘Mobylette’. In 1954, the factory moved to another part of town and this fine piece of industrial heritage was sadly demolished that same year.
This photograph was taken in 1911.
Special thanks to Facebook page ‘Oud-Arnhem‘ for the photograph and additional information.
EDIT: Replaced word and altered sentence.
MasterFubar says
Arnhem: a bridge too far. I love that film.
UnlubricatedUnicorn says
It’s giving me Fallout New Vegas nuclear power plant vibes.