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| Niagara Falls |
| Click here to see our collection of old postcards of Niagara Falls. |
One of the most popular tourist spots in North America, Niagara Falls is (or are)
situated on the border between the USA and Canada. I've been there a couple of
times in the 1960s and found it fascinating to watch the water thunder by within
a few feet. The Canadian side was the better side when I went but things may
have changed by now. Avoid the summer - it's crowded and most unpleasant on
a hot, humid day.
situated on the border between the USA and Canada. I've been there a couple of
times in the 1960s and found it fascinating to watch the water thunder by within
a few feet. The Canadian side was the better side when I went but things may
have changed by now. Avoid the summer - it's crowded and most unpleasant on
a hot, humid day.
As well as the bewildering range of statistics about the Falls - height, gallons of
water per second etc - there are many more interesting stories, some of which
we have added below. If you have any interesting bits of information,
reminiscences or some oddities about Niagara, please get in touch and we will
add them here - provided of course that they are suitable ! As always, we are
pleased to receive any old postcard images.
water per second etc - there are many more interesting stories, some of which
we have added below. If you have any interesting bits of information,
reminiscences or some oddities about Niagara, please get in touch and we will
add them here - provided of course that they are suitable ! As always, we are
pleased to receive any old postcard images.
DID YOU KNOW THAT:
More than 12 million visitors go to the Falls each year - that is three times the
population of New Zealand !
In 1848 an ice-jam upstream stopped the flow of water over the Falls to such
an extent that people were able to walk out into the river bed and recover
artifacts.
When the Falls froze in 1888, more than 20,000 people walked or tobogganed
on the ice.
The Falls are reported to have frozen completely in the winter of 1932, but
this is not entirely true as it seems that there was still some water flowing.
More than 12 million visitors go to the Falls each year - that is three times the
population of New Zealand !
In 1848 an ice-jam upstream stopped the flow of water over the Falls to such
an extent that people were able to walk out into the river bed and recover
artifacts.
When the Falls froze in 1888, more than 20,000 people walked or tobogganed
on the ice.
The Falls are reported to have frozen completely in the winter of 1932, but
this is not entirely true as it seems that there was still some water flowing.
In 1842, Charles Dickens wrote, in "American Notes" :
"It was a miserable day; chilly and raw; a damp mist falling; and the trees in
that northern region quite bare and wintry. Whenever the train halted, I
listened for the roar; and was constantly straining my eyes in the direction
where I knew the Falls must be, from seeing the river rolling on towards
them; every moment expecting to behold the spray. Within a few minutes of
our stopping, not before, I saw two great white clouds rising up slowly and
majestically from the depths of the earth. That was all. At length we alighted:
and then for the first time, I heard the mighty rush of water, and felt the
ground tremble underneath my feet.
The bank is very steep, and was slippery with rain, and half-melted ice. I
hardly know how I got down, but I was soon at the bottom, and climbing, with
two English officers who were crossing and had joined me, over some broken
rocks, deafened by the noise, half-blinded by the spray, and wet to the skin.
We were at the foot of the American Fall. I could see an immense torrent of
water tearing headlong down from some great height, but had no idea of
shape, or situation, or anything but vague immensity.
When we were seated in the little ferry-boat, and were crossing the swollen
river immediately before both cataracts, I began to feel what it was: but I was
in a manner stunned, and unable to comprehend the vastness of the scene. It
was not until I came on Table Rock, and looked — Great Heaven, on what a
fall of bright-green water! — that it came upon me in its full might and
majesty."
"It was a miserable day; chilly and raw; a damp mist falling; and the trees in
that northern region quite bare and wintry. Whenever the train halted, I
listened for the roar; and was constantly straining my eyes in the direction
where I knew the Falls must be, from seeing the river rolling on towards
them; every moment expecting to behold the spray. Within a few minutes of
our stopping, not before, I saw two great white clouds rising up slowly and
majestically from the depths of the earth. That was all. At length we alighted:
and then for the first time, I heard the mighty rush of water, and felt the
ground tremble underneath my feet.
The bank is very steep, and was slippery with rain, and half-melted ice. I
hardly know how I got down, but I was soon at the bottom, and climbing, with
two English officers who were crossing and had joined me, over some broken
rocks, deafened by the noise, half-blinded by the spray, and wet to the skin.
We were at the foot of the American Fall. I could see an immense torrent of
water tearing headlong down from some great height, but had no idea of
shape, or situation, or anything but vague immensity.
When we were seated in the little ferry-boat, and were crossing the swollen
river immediately before both cataracts, I began to feel what it was: but I was
in a manner stunned, and unable to comprehend the vastness of the scene. It
was not until I came on Table Rock, and looked — Great Heaven, on what a
fall of bright-green water! — that it came upon me in its full might and
majesty."