Electricity pioneer: the East Lyn river
Lynmouth had one of the first hydro electric power stations in the UK, built in 1890 and fed by the tumbling torrent of the East Lyn River. The station was active until the 1950s when Lynmouth was connected to the National Grid. This hydro electric allowed the residents of Lynmouth to enjoy electric lamps whilst most other hoseholds were still reliant on gas. The electicity was on for just a few hours in the evening and on winter mornings. On the night of the flood the engineers kept the light s going for as long as possible, but were forced to leave the station at 9pm. The station survived the Lynmouth flood of August 1952, but was later demolished to make the river wider.