Barbadoes Island (Pennsylvania)
| Company type | Subsidiary (former power plant) |
|---|---|
| Industry | Energy |
| Founded | 1926 |
| Fate | Power plant dismantled in 2009 |
| Headquarters | West Norriton Township , United States |
Area served | Pennsylvania |
| Owner | Exelon (formerly Philadelphia Electric Company) |
Barbadoes Island encompasses 90 acres situated within the Schuylkill River in West Norriton Township, Pennsylvania, located just to the south of Norristown, Pennsylvania in Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, United States. The island's eastern end is traversed by southbound U.S. Route 202 alongside regional rail lines, with entry restricted to the privately owned Haws Avenue bridge.
18th century
Originally, Barbadoes Island was included in the land grants awarded to William Penn. During the 1700s, ownership transferred to the University of Pennsylvania. The island’s name is believed to be linked to commercial connections between Philadelphia and the British-controlled Caribbean territory of Barbados. Affluent planters from Barbados frequently sent their offspring to Philadelphia for educational purposes.
19th century
In the early 19th century, John Markley acquired Barbadoes Island, where he cleared land for agricultural use and constructed a residence. Prior to 1820, summer activities on the island featured horse racing and militia parades. Businessman Lewis Schrack managed a boat and fishing tackle enterprise and developed "floating baths," which were wooden platforms with stone floors designed to allow river water circulation.
From 1840 through 1910, steamboats transported visitors from Norristown to Barbadoes Island as well as onward to Phoenixville. A significant celebration took place in August 1849 marking the conclusion of a worldwide cholera epidemic.
By 1880, Isaac McHorse leased an eighty-acre portion for wheat cultivation and utilized a steam thresher transported by ferry for harvesting operations.
20th century
Between 1910 and 1920, the island gained popularity as a leisure destination accessible via skiffs and small boats.
In 1922, ownership passed to Counties Gas and Electric Company, which subsequently merged into Philadelphia Electric Company (currently PECO). A power generation facility was established in 1926, operating gas, coal, and oil-fired plants through the post-World War II period until recent decades.
In 1961, PECO installed what was then the nation’s largest gas turbine on the island—a 22,000-kilowatt unit constructed by Westinghouse Electric Corporation featuring remote control capabilities.
Initially fueled by coal, the plant transitioned to diesel power during the 1970s and remained under Philadelphia Electric Company's operation until 1997.
21st century
Following its power generation role, the PECO site was repurposed for equipment storage, employee training activities, and functioned as an electrical substation before Exelon dismantled the former power plant on February 16, 2009.