Facts About Niagara Falls

Introduction:

Niagara Falls is a scene that people from all over the world recognize. Of course, this natural wonder is what put Niagara Falls the city on the map in the first place. Niagara Falls certainly lives up to the hype. No matter how many impressive buildings, giant ferris wheels, and wax museums that continue to open, everything will always pale in comparison to the beauty and wonder that is Niagara Falls. It is a sight that takes your breath away time and time again. You look at the falls, and you a feel a connection with nature, and you completely grasp the idea that humans are just a small part in this giant world. The natural world was here long before us, and it will survive long after us. The mighty falls is a testament to that fact. It is hard not to be in awe of its beauty and power. It’s completely understandable that visitors come here just for the falls, as it is well worth the trip, but visitors should know that there is much more to do once you get here.

Given that Niagara Falls has become such a popular tourist destination, more and more attractions and hotels are being built to keep up with the demand. There are a plethora of things to do, and the area warrants much more time than most people allow. The City of Niagara Falls itself can keep tourists busy for several days, but visitors should also consider the surrounding cities of the Niagara Region, and allow a couple of days for their exploration. More information on surrounding cities can be found in the day trips section.

Niagara Falls is a city that can seem overwhelming upon arrival, especially in the summer months, and especially if you are in a crowded area such as Clifton Hill. This guide will do it’s best to point out attractions and places that are worth visiting, and try to help you make the most of your time visiting Niagara.

Facts About Niagara Falls

Niagara Falls has a long and interesting history, here are some interesting facts about Niagara Falls..

Niagara Fall is an area that has been inhabited by many different groups of people, all of whom have helped shape the Niagara Falls of today.

12, 000 years ago, Niagara Falls looked nothing like it does nowadays. Instead of glittering lights, towering hotels and flashy casinos, all there was, was land. It was full of trees and forests, lakes and flowing rivers, and wide open spaces. The very first inhabitants of Niagara Falls were known as the Clovis people. They lived on the shorelines of the Niagara River and the Great Lakes, and they shared the space with caribou, mastodons, moose and elk, creatures which, at that time, roamed freely throughout Niagara. The original Niagara Falls was located where Queenston, Ontario is now. Due to erosion the falls slowly migrated seven miles downstream from its original location.

As time past, the landscape changed and new tribes of people arrived. Eventually, the Iroquois people set up permanent residence, building larger villages to accommodate their growing numbers, and creating a functioning society.

At the beginning of the 17th Century however, explorers from Europe began to arrive. These newcomers would change the face of Niagara Falls forever. Many initial explorers made their way to Niagara, but were only able to hear stories of the mighty falls that shook the earth…many never actually saw it with their own eyes. Explorers learned of the Iroquois name for the river which provided them life-“Onguiaahra”. It meant, “The Strait”. The word Niagara was a simpler version of the original.

By this time, there were many groups of missionaries and explorers that had come to live in Niagara. Rivalries and wars between the various tribes, specifically the Iroquois and the Huron, ensured that almost no white settlers stayed too long in Niagara. This remained true almost up until the American Revolution.

In 1812, something else happened that would forever change not only Niagara Falls, but the entire Niagara Region. American declared war on Canada. Battles were fought all throughout Niagara, and the memories of these battles are visible in places such as Fort George, The Drummond Hill Cemetery, and the many statues and monuments that dot the Niagara River.

By the early 1800s, Niagara Falls was becoming a tourist attraction. A stairway was built so people could get closer access to the base of the falls. Ferry services began moving people up and down the Niagara River. In 1827, the first paved road was built which led to the ferry landing at the top of the bank. Hotels began to develop along this paved road. As transportation methods advanced, access to Niagara Falls was greater than ever. It could now be reached by train, boat, carriage or street car. After World War One, the automobile was invented. With so many more people now about to get themselves to Niagara Falls, the city was now on its way to becoming the Niagara Falls we know now.

Niagara Falls Daredevil History:

Perhaps one of the things Niagara Falls is most famous for is the many daredevils who have tried to conquer the falls. Whether it is walking across the falls on a tightrope, or going for a ride over the falls in a barrel, there is not much that hasn’t been attempted.

The very first stunt over the falls was dreamt up by hotel owners in the 1820s. They wanted to do something which would draw attention to the area. They decided they were going to do this by sending an old schooner, named “The Michigan” over the falls. On board this boat would be exotic and ferocious animals. The animals turned out to be not so exotic, but included bears, buffalo, foxes, geese, and elk. Many of these animals were tied to the boat. A crowd of 10,000 gathered to watch the schooner and the doomed animals make the plunge over the falls. On September 8th, 1827, the schooner was sent off. The boat broke up before it made it to the falls, and the bears, which were not tethered were able to make it to safety. The other animals were not so lucky, and most were killed as the broken up boat went over the falls. People would be up in arms if a stunt like this was ever attempted again, and it’s pretty safe to say that it never will be. However, this stunt set the precedent for what would become an almost 200 year history of falls versus man.

The first person to try and conquer the falls in a barrel was a 60 year old schoolteacher named Annie Taylor. She went over the falls in a wooden barrel, and although she ended up quite bruised and broken, she survived the ride.

There are many more tales of people attempting to do the seemingly impossible. Whether they are a little crazy, or are just complete suckers for adventure and thrill, almost ---- people have tried going over the falls. People have traveled over in steel barrels, giant rubber balls, in barrels with anvils tied to themselves, in inner tubes, in two person barrels, on jetski’s, and with just the clothes on their back. Many were seriously injured, many died, and some survived and decided to try it again!

You can learn all about these various daredevils in a couple of places around Niagara Falls. In the IMAX Theatre, located at 6170 Fallsview Boulevard, right next to the Skylon Tower, they have a Daredevil Gallery, where many of the original vessels that took people over the falls are located. While looking at the vessels, you can also learn all about the stories that go along with them. In addition to the Daredevil Gallery, the IMAX theatre is currently playing a movie entitled, “Niagara, Legends and Daredevils”, which allows you to experience the history of stunts in Niagara Fall on a 60 foot high screen that surrounds you.

This You Tube video explores the Daredevil Gallery with audio commentary.

*Tickets for Imax are:

Regular price-$14.75 for an adult,$10.62 for children

Online price-$9.40 for an adult, $6.75 for children

Book your tickets ahead of time online at www.imaxniagara.com, and you can save 25% off the regular price.

If you have always wondered what going over the falls in a barrel would be like, but aren’t quite ready to take the plunge, check out Ride Niagara, a simulator ride, which takes you over the falls in a barrel! It is located at 5755 River Road, close to Casino Niagara.

If you are going to be taking a trip to the American side, and want to checkout another daredevil museum, there is one located at 303 Rainbow Boulevard. Admission to this museum is free.

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