The establishment of Folsom Prison came in 1880, when the Livermore family made an agreement with the state to donate land for the prison in exchange for prison labor. They planned to build a hydro-electric dam from the American River for a sawmill. Though the sawmill did not work out, the Livermores soon realized that the natural force of running water could provide enough power to transmit to Sacramento, and the Folsom Powerhouse, now a National Historic Landmark, was opened. At the time it was opened, it had the longest overhead run of electricity (22 miles) in the country. The powerhouse operated until 1952.
the establishment of folsom prison came in 1880 when the livermore family made an agreement with the state to donate land for the prison in exchange for prison labor they planned to build a hydro-electric dam from the american river for a sawmill though the sawmill did not work out the livermores soon realized that the natural force of running water could provide enough power to transmit to sacramento and the folsom powerhouse now a national historic landmark was opened at the time it was opened it had the longest overhead run of electricity (22 miles) in the country the powerhouse operated until 1952