Electricity
The above images are of the exterior of the TAPCO's; sub & switching station, transformer bay, railroad siding, operators village and substation. This was part of the power grid that in conjunction with Irving and Childs power plants were able to supply 45,000 volts that ran through the transmission main lines.
Sketch of Location of The Arizona Power Company’s Generating Plants
Credit Cottonwood Public Library
Take a closer look at the above hand drawn map of The Arizona Power Company’s Generating Plants and Electric Lines for the Childs, Irving and TAPCO power plants and shows the actual location of each. This map also shows the power lines running to Clarkdale, Jerome, Poland Junction and Prescott.
The transmission lines map shows the 45000 volt electrical transmission lines and secondary lines. TAPCO was instrumental in expanding the electrical power grids to the surrounding areas in 1917. It also shows the many mines that were in operation at the time: Great Verde Extension, Jerome Del Monte, Decatur Copper Co, Jerome Copper Co., Green Monster, Monster Chief, Jerome St. Louis, Copper Chief, Jerome Portland, Shea Copper Co., Grand Island, Pittsburg Jerome, Verde Venture Apex, Verde Central, Calumet & Jerome Verde Combination, Cleopatra Copper Co. Boston Jerome, Verde Grande, United Verde, Arkansas & Arizona, Jerome Daisy, Jerome Superior, and Jerome Victor. This is actually a short list of all of the minening claims in and around Jerome at the time.
Once the 72 mile Sycamore transmission line was completed in 1919, TAPCO not only met the needs of Clarkdale, Jerome and the surrounding areas, it also supplied Phoenix with part of its growing power needs.
The mounting of the sign for the TAPCO office located on Main Street in Clarkdale, Arizona. Tapco was instrumental to expand electric power in the Verde Valley. Bringing modern conveniences of the early 20th century that were formally only available to wealthy larger cities. The mining of the rich ore deposits of Jerome and the construction of TAPCO brought the Verde Valley into the modern day of electricity.
With the new product of electricity becoming more widely available as power grids expanded, Reddy Kilowatt became the mascot. This Central Arizona Light and Power Company advertisement sign features the cartoon character that was used nationwide by electric companies in the early to mid-20th century. The comical stick figure made of lightning bolts stepping out of an electrical outlet, with an outlet for an ear and a light bulb for a nose, was a fun way for the electric companies to educate the public about electricity and promote the company’s product.
The Arizona Power Company used General Electric meters that measured kilowatt usage, so the electric company could accurately bill users for the amount of electricity they used. At this time, roughly only 24% of US homes had electricity. The mining of the rich ore deposits of Jerome, and the construction of TAPCO, brought the Verde Valley into the modern era of electricity. Bringing with it, the advances and advantages of modern technology to the wealthier homes. Such as, electric lighting, home refrigeration, the toaster, iron and the vacuum cleaner. This marked just the beginning of home appliance consumerism, easing woman’s household duties, and allowing more time for other interests. Such as, the suffrage movement, and seeking to banish alcohol consumption through prohibition. The advent of electricity broadened modern conveniences and brought them into the home. This was just the beginning of a new era in the Verde Valley.