Adams Station was the second power plant to provide electricity to Niagara Falls, New York. As the Schoellkopf Power Station did not transmit power across long distances, the Adams Power Plant was constructed as a central generating plant to solve this issue. In 1895, the station supplied its first low-cost commercial power to the Pittsburgh Reduction Company, which was located next to Adams Station, and provided cheap and a substantial amount of electricity for Niagara Falls. In 1896, the Adams Station transmitted the first large-scale, long distance power, which was considered the first "super station" in the world and made Nikola Tesla's AC vision a reality. In 1903, a second powerhouse was built, and both Adam's powerhouses generated power until 1926, however, were put on hold when a third Schoellkopf Station was constructed. Both powerhouses were put permanently out of service in 1961 and demolished, despite ideas that were considered to make the station a museum.

The building was saved from demolition in 1965 and is now a fenced in site that is occupied by the Niagara Falls sewage treatment facility, which releases treated water to the lower Niagara River through the former power tunnels.

In 1893, there was a bidding war for the station between Westinghouse Electric and Manufacturing Company and Thomas Edison with his direct current system, which Westinghouse won. The purpose of this project was to use the natural power of the falls to provide energy to Niagara Falls, New York, as well as Buffalo, New York. With the partnership between Nikola Tesla's alternating current system and Westinghouse's machinery, the powerhouse was made possible and was the worlds first generating plant that was built on a large scale. The plant was named after Edward Dean Adams who was the president of the construction company that built the first power stations at the falls, and worked with Tesla to achieve hydroelectric power.

The success of this power plant encouraged the international creation of hydroelectric stations, which are now used to form renewable energy. The Adams Power Plant Transformer House was designated as a National Historic Landmark in 1983.

While the building is vacant, it is not open to the public, as it is a fenced in property. However, the owner has made efforts into restoring the building and transforming it into a museum that commemorates the work of Nikola Tesla. This museum can serve the developing tourist economy of Niagara Falls and draw in locals as well.

After a plead for government involvement for more efficient use of the Niagara River's water, Adams Niagara Falls Company and Schoellkopf's Niagara Falls power Company merged and was known as the Niagara Falls Power Company. In 1998, Peter Fontanarosa purchased the building and has taken care of it for the past 17 years, and has been granted to turn the vacant building into a Tesla museum.

Allison. (2018). Edward Dean Adams Power Plant. Retrieved October 13, 2018, from https://www.atlasobscura.com/places/edward-dean-ad...

Gambini, P. (2015). Group hoping to restore Adams Power Plant, create Nikola Tesla museum. Retrieved on October 13, 2018, from https://www.niagara-gazette.com/news/local_news/gr...

Szczepaniec, R., & LaChiusa, C. (2005). Niagara Falls Power Co. / Edward Dean Adams Power Station. Retrieved October 13, 2018, from http://buffaloah.com/a/nf/adams/index.html.