Niagra Falls History | History of Niagara Falls
It is said that the name Niagara originates from an Iroquois word meaning “thunder of waters”. The original inhabitants of the region were the Ongiara (an Iroquois tribe named “the Neutrals” by French settlers, who found them helpful in mediating disputes with other tribes).
Who gave the first recorded eyewitness description of Niagara Falls? Samuel de Champlain visited the area as early as 1604, and members of his party reported to him regarding the spectacular waterfalls, which he reported in his journals. Pehr Kalm explored the area in the early 1700s and wrote about it.
However, the consensus honoree is Father Louis Hennepin, who observed and described the Falls in 1677, bringing the Falls to the attention of Europeans. There is also credible evidence that Reverend Paul Ragueneau visited the Falls some 35 years prior to Hennepin’s visit.
During the 18th century, tourism became popular. By mid-century, it was the area’s main industry. Napoleon Bonaparte’s brother Jerome visited with his bride in the early 19th century. Demand for passage over the Niagara River led in 1848 to the building of a footbridge and eventually the Niagara Suspension Bridge. This was eventually supplanted by the Niagara Falls Suspension Bridge in 1855.
After the Civil War, the New York Central railroad publicized Niagara Falls as a great destination for pleasure and honeymoon visits. In 1886, the wood and stone bridge was replaced with the predominantly steel bridge that still carries trains over the Niagara River today. The first steel archway bridge near the Falls was completed in 1897. Known today as the Whirlpool Rapids Bridge, it carries vehicles, trains, and pedestrians between Canada and the US just below the Falls. In 1941 the Niagara Falls Bridge Commission completed the third current crossing in the immediate area of Niagara Falls with the Rainbow Bridge… carrying both pedestrian and vehicular traffic between the two countries and Canadian and US customs for each country.
After the First World War, tourism boomed again as automobiles made trips to the Falls much easier. More recently, the story of The Falls is largely that of efforts to harness their energy for hydroelectric power and to control the development on both sides that threaten the area’s natural beauty.
Quotes about Niagara Falls
- “Niagara was at once stamped upon my heart an Image of Beauty.” – Charles Dickens
- “It is with roses, locomotives and Niagara that [poems] are competing.” – e.e. cummings
- “I have seen the falls and I am all rapture and amazement.” – Henry James
- “At last, fortissimo! [On visiting Niagara]” – Gustav Mahler (on visiting Niagara)
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common misspellings: niagra falls, niagera falls, niagura, niagira, nyagra, niagar
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Niagara Falls does not freeze very often, I believe the last time was in 1911. Google “Frozen Niagara Falls” to see some amazing photos of it frozen.
Great information a very interesting read. I didn’t know that Niagara was a Native American name.
I’ve always wanted to visit there so bad… One day I will.
@Durden, those pictures are incredible. If it ever was to freeze now, I would visit in a heartbeat.
Just checked out some pictures of niagra falls frozen. Really amazing!
I would love to see the Falls Frozen. I live in Toronto and visit Niagara Falls often. It’s a bit chilly in the winter (obviously) but there is a ton of stuff to do there. My favorite place is the Bird Kingdom and the Butterfly Conservatory.
I have never seen it frozen.. it’s so beautiful!
Wow I saw some pictures of niagara falls on TV and movies but this one here is really impressive… i never thought the niagara falls are that huge !
That air-fotography is just stunning me.
I’ve been to Niagara a few years ago and the scenery is truly magnificent. if you visit, make sure to take the ferry cruise.
I am from Auckland and I badly wanted to visit Niagara falls at least once in my lifetime. I have always heard stories about it right from childhood and day by day my quench increases drastically like a fire in cotton mill. Your article on the history adds more fuel to it and you have a style equivalent to Wikipedia. I am sure if the current trend prevails I will hit Niagara falls pretty soon.
i agree with you seriously its a nice place i spent 1 month there i wish i could have spent some more time there thats the best place to get adventures.thanks for the information.keep it up.
@Durden @Max oh man your right those are some insane pictures. Can’t imagine being out on so much ice. Such a beautiful beautiful place
Niagara is a beautiful place. I went there at 1999 and i can’t forget the memories with my husband there
I remember visiting Niagra Falls when I was in college. I was, of course, awestruck by the falls. But I was also impressed by how close the Maiden of the Mist got to the falls themselves. It was pretty neat. I also enjoyed walking from the U.S. side to the Canada side…my first trip to Canada was by foot!
Honeymooning couples have made their way to Niagara Falls for nearly 200 years. Although the area hasn’t made it onto the Top Ten list of lovers’ destinations for quite some time, Niagara Falls continues to offer some unique charms. Whether you view the Falls from the American side or the Canadian side, it’s mesmerizing — for a while. Couples who want to do it all can arrange an American or Canadian destination wedding with a choice of dramatic backdrop.
Brilliant article. Reading it was like watching a National Geographic documentary. This place should be one anyones Top 10 places you must see in a lifetime !
The wood and stone bridge was replaced with the predominantly steel bridge that still carries trains over the Niagara River today. The first steel archway bridge near the Falls was completed in 1897. If you look way in the background of the photo, you can see the Horseshoe Falls and the mist around them.
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