12 replies to this topic

[Big Ed]

I think this is still standing off 352. Would love to get a modern day photo from the same angle.

[Big Ed]

Ok, this is NOT off 352, but appears to be, from my further research, the "Riverside" power house, which has been torn down. Am working on locating it.

[Bill]

Thats not the place up corning way?

[Charlotte]

Looks like it to me. If it is Riverside, though, that would be along the north side of 352 between 352 and Pultney St.

[Big Ed]

The Chemung County History Book (1890-1975) by Byrn has a picture of the exact same scene in the postcard above at page 322. The caption to the pic says:

Riverside Plant. The Riverside power plant was built in 1914. It served Water-Light customers for nearly a half century. The smokestacks, 275 feet tall, were felled by dynamite blasts Dec.13, 1963.

It also says that the purpose of the construction of Riverside Station in 1914 was to replace the old Madison Ave. plant. Gee, that means we may have to find the remains of TWO plants.

[Big Ed]

Looks like it to me. If it is Riverside, though, that would be along the north side of 352 between 352 and Pultney St.

I think it was on the Southside. Probably near the bend of the river - there seems to be some flats there where something big once stood:

[Big Ed]

Here's another possible location, down around what is probably the wastewater treatment plant. This place is quite a bit larger than the other, and still has some visible rail lines.

[JackC]

Does the name "Hickling Station" ring a bell with anyone? I remember it being in Big Flats, just up-river from the River Road bridge.

[tony]

Does the name "Hickling Station" ring a bell with anyone? I remember it being in Big Flats, just up-river from the River Road bridge.

Yep, this plant is still there. It was started in 1948, added to in 1951 and shut down operations in 1994.It has been completely dark until recently. Now there are numerous outdoor lights on around the plant. I'm wondering if they are thinking of reopening it. I hope not, unless they install some better emission controls. Most of the time it just released a bluish smoke and steam, but during stale air, the entire valley would fill up with a ghastly yellow hazeHere are a couple of links, the first one shows a picture of it from the river. It is definitely not the same plant as originally posted by Rancid.http://counties.cce.... ... dKiosk.pdfhttp://www.answers.c... ... orporationFinally, here is a Google Earth View of Hickling in all its glory.  hickling.jpg   125.68KB   222 downloads

[Big Ed]

Well, after some digging, I found that the location of this plant was East Water Street near Sullivan Street. That would put it somewhere in here:

[Bill]

So, we aren;t talking about the place in corning, that is begging for a little urban exploration?

[Big Ed]

Since I found the location of the plant, I wondered if maybe it would turn up in an old postcard or two. This one is from Nina originally posted in the "Kennedy Valve" area. Sure enough, here it is above and just to the left of factory, larger than life. Nina said she wasn't sure of the postcard date, but thought it was in the '30's. This card really needs to be blown up (click on it then max your frame) to be appreciated.

[Charlotte]

It seems like you should be able to see St. Joseph's Hospital but I can't seem to find it in the post card.