Early Development
Paris Gibson, founder of Great Falls, recognized the power potential of nearby waterfalls. In 1887 he founded the Great Falls Water Power and Townsite Company and purchased water power sites along the river. The Boston and Montana Consolidation Mining Company was in search of hydropower to smelt its ore, and a partnership was soon established. The power company built a timber crib, rock-filled dam across the top of Black Eagle Falls in 1889-91, while the mining company constructed a powerhouse and smelter on the north side of the river. The powerhouse provided direct current electricity and mechanical energy for the smelter. In 1893 an additional powerhouse was built on the south side of the river to provide power for a flour mill and the city's streetcar system.