In the year 1895 some of the members of the Council thought they were paying for too much for light and power and that it would be advantageous to own their own plant. The Council at that time was composed of C. Bergin, president; E.R. Collar, Arvine Hunter, Ed. Lee, D. G. Look, Reuben Quick and C.C. Winegar.

D.G. Look moved that a committee should be appointed to look up the cost and site. Ed. Lee and C. Bergin were appointed. Ed. Lee is known as the "Father of the Lighting Plant" and rightly so as he gave a great deal of this time and energy to the securing of flowage rights, the planning and erecting of the dam, and served for eight years as the chairman of the committee, where he successfully directed the plant through the emergencies of the early years. C. Bergin also gave a great deal of his time. The year the dam was built, he and Mr. Lee made many trips down Flat river looking for a site, and during the dam’s construction Mr. Bergin was on the scene of the operations every day except Saturday when he had to be in the grocery store.

The report tendered by Mr. Lee and Mr. Bergin gave the dam an estimated cost of $23,000. On receipt of the report Mr. Look moved that it be presented to the people at a special election which was held Dec. 20, 1895. The project received the sanction of the people by a vote of 363 to 68. The construction of the dam was completed the following year and on September 16, 1896, it was accepted by the village.

Carl English was the first superintendent and he guided the plant’s destinies for about eight years. Waldo Francisco succeeded him and stayed about three months when he left to accept a position with the Grand Rapids Edison Company. After Mr. Francisco’s departure Frank J. McMahon, the present superintendent, assumed the position and is now completing his twenty-ninth year of service.

The plant has been fortunate in having on the board many of Lowell’s best business men: J.E. Lee, C. Bergin, D.G. Look, W. S. Winegar (served 18 years), R. VanDyke, C. Guy Perry, Will Hakes, Weldon Smith, R. B. Loveland, Dr. S. S. Lee, T. A. Murphy, Dr. E. D. McQueen, H.A. Peckham, Carl Peckham, H.J. Coons, H.J. Taylor, J.B. Nicholson, Dr. J.C. Smith, D.G. Mange, H.L. Weekes, J.A. Arehart, C.H. Runciman, E.A. Thomas, Charles Doyle, Harry Day, E. R. Kniffin, Dr. B. H. Shepard, C.W. Cook.

The plant has had its ups and downs. Shortly after it was guilt, a flood took out the east bank and in addition to replacing the bank, a flood gate had to be installed at considerable cost.

In 1905 the June flood of that year took the top off the dam. This had to be replaced and both banks raised.

The timber flume and wooden waste gate decayed and had to be replaced with concrete in 1909 at a cost of approximately $17,000.00.

In 1915 the old wooden power house was replaced with a tile and cement building.

In 1916 the main line copper from Lowell to the plant was changed for larger wire with more carrying capacity.

The plant outgrew its generating equipment in 1917 and it was necessary to spend about $10,000.00 for a new generator, waterwheel and governor. At this time it was believed that everything was taken care of as the plant was in good shape and practically out of debt. However, in December, 1917, quicksand undermined the powerhouse and it fell into the river. Therefore in 1918 the powerhouse was rebuilt. This time we went to hardpan with steel and wood piling and put in the latest equipment at a cost of approximately $55,000.00.

In 1924 a new office building was erected and a Diesel engine for auxiliary power was installed at a cost of about $40,000.00.

Then in 1929 the village purchased additional flowage rights, raising the head to 17 1/2 and built a splendid new dam.

Last year, 1930, an addition was made to the plant and another generator and water-wheel installed.

All of these extensive improvements have been made from the profits of the plant, thereby costing the taxpayer nothing. In addition to this during the last fourteen years an average of ten thousand dollars has been transferred to the village funds.

All of these additions and improvements have built up the plant from the small beginning of a 75 KW generator and arc machine to the present modern system, valued at over one-half million dollars, with a new dam, new generating equipment with a capacity of 1,000 horsepower, and reserve Diesel engine. Besides furnishing light and power all these years at rates far below standard rate levels, the Lowell Light and Power Plant has made it possible for Lowell to have more electric ranges per capita than any other city in Michigan, giving Lowell and proper excuse for terming itself the most modern and up-to-date town in the state.