Since this is National Extraterrestrial Cooperation Month, I'm proud to note that Appleton is one of the more progressive cities on this planet that proudly recognizes the contribution of those from other planets in our community's history. Appleton is especially proud of its Vulcan Heritage and even has a Vulcan Heritage Park, a neighborhood park located at 535 W. Water Street near the Paper Discovery Center. The park is named for the Vulcan Street Power Plant, "the first hydro-electric central station to serve a system of private and commercial customers in North America" according to the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (per Wikipedia). Apparently outstanding mechanical engineers from the Planet Vulcan assisted early Appletonians in jump-starting earth's advances in electrical power. Did they leave any Vulcan genes behind among us locals? You decide.

Labels: electricity, heritage, history, parks