The Abandoned Holliday Hydroelectric Powerhouse and Dam, Riverwood, Indiana

Just north of Noblesville, Indiana you’ll find the remains of the abandoned Holliday Hydroelectric Powerhouse and Dam on the White River near 211th Street.

Sam Mott and Alex Holliday of Noblesville Heat, Light and Power Company designed and constructed the powerhouse and dam. Bids were accepted for the project in June 1922 and the powerhouse and the 345 foot long dam began operation just 5 months later in November 1922. Total cost for the project was $100,000.00.

The powerhouse was in operation until 1966 when Public Service Indiana discontinued its use for a more modern powerplant just across the road. Maintenance on the building discontinued on the building in the 1980s and over the years the powerhouse fell into disrepair. Local residents formed a non-profit group to restore the building and did repair the roof, windows and other items before hitting a roadblock that stopped the restoration efforts. The site has been in limbo since 2006 with no real game plan to continue the restoration.

Just downstream from the dam are the remains of a steel through truss bridge that once connected 211th Street across the White River.

Today the site is a popular fishing spot with a great view of the dam and the powerhouse.