Cuero Hydroelectric Plant

For several years after 1900 when the Austin Dam on the Colorado River collapsed, the Cuero Hydroelectric Plant was the largest power plant of its type in Texas.

The original plant structure was erected in 1896 by Otto and C. August Buchel, who felt that the building of a dam on their property across the Guadalupe River would enable them to irrigate 2000 acres of land in close proximity to the city of Cuero. The Buchel Power and Irrigation Company were formed not primarily for irrigation but to build a hydroelectric plant on the Guadalupe River. The Cuero Light and Power Company offered to sell their steam-powered plant to the Buchel Power Company. The Buchel brothers rejected this suggestion, expressing the opinion that the company was not worth the trouble.

In March of 1898, the Buchel Power and Irrigation Company sent electric power along their lines on opposite sides of the street from the Cuero Light and Power Company. During the ensuing year, the two companies engaged in the vigorous competition.

The Buchel Power and Irrigation Company soon bought the Cuero Power Plant and immediately raised their electrical rates. An auxiliary steam system was installed to prevent power failures during high water periods.

The first lighting meter contracts were signed by Cuero residents in 1900. The Buchel Power and Irrigation Company agreed to provide fifteen candlepower lights. Rates were set at $.15 per kilowatt hour straight with a minimum of $2.50 per month plus a $.25 meter rental. Concurrently, contracts were also made with local industries. The Buchel Power Company sold power to the city on the stipulation that the lights be turned out at midnight.

In the spring of 1908, the power plant burned to the ground, leaving only the turbines and the dam operational. Later in the year W. M. Ratcliffe and his associates bought the power company and dam. Under the name of the Cuero Light and Power Company, the old plant was revamped and put into use on December 28, 1908. Meters were installed all over Cuero and service was maintained on a twenty-four-hour basis.

In 1914 the Cuero Light and Power Company was sold to the Texas Southern Electric Company. In early 1920 the plant went into receivership and was purchased by the firm of Morrison and McCall. The new owners operated the facilities until July 1925, when it was sold to Middle West Utilities. The following year it was bought by the Central Power and Light Company. The old Cuero Hydroelectric Plant was closed in 1965 because of its small electrical output.