Since his childhood, Tesla has admired Niagara Falls. It is no wonder he found inspiration for his inventions there. He designed the first hydroelectric power plant by harnessing the power of the waterfalls. The first power went to homes nearby Niagara Falls, Buffalo precisely, in November 1896. The construction took three years. As a reminder today, a statue of Tesla on Goat Island stands over the falls. This statue represents an unspoken tribute to the very man that managed to harness the energies of the beautiful Niagara Falls and make alternating current energy possible.