Formation of the Falls

The historical roots of Niagara Falls lie in the Wisconsin glaciation, which ended some 10,000 years ago. Both the North American Great Lakes and the Niagara River are effects of this last continental ice sheet, an enormous glacier that crept across the area from eastern Canada. The glacier drove through the area like a giant bulldozer, grinding up rocks and soil, moving them around, and deepening some river channels to make lakes. It dammed others with debris, forcing these rivers to make new channels. It is thought that there is an old valley, buried by glacial drift, at the approximate location of the present Welland Canal.

After the ice melted back, drainage from the upper Great Lakes became the present-day Niagara River, which could not follow the old filled valley, so it found the lowest outlet on the rearranged topography. In time the river cut a gorge across the Niagara Escarpment, the north facing cliff or cuesta formed by erosion of the southwardly dipping (tilted) and resistant Lockport formation between Lake Erie and Lake Ontario. In doing so it exposed old marine rocks that are much older than the geologically recent glaciation. Three major formations are exposed in the gorge that was cut by the Niagara River.

The Horseshoe Falls, one of the three Niagara Falls.

When the newly established river encountered the erosion-resistant Lockport dolostone, the hard layer eroded much more slowly than the underlying softer rocks. The aerial photo clearly shows the hard caprock, the Lockport Formation (Middle Silurian), which underlies the rapids above the falls and approximately the upper third of the gorge wall. It is composed of very dense, hard and very strong limestone and dolostone.

Immediately below, comprising about two thirds of the cliff is the weaker, softer and more crumbly and sloping Rochester Formation (Lower Silurian). It is mainly shale, though it has some thin limestone layers, and contains large quantities of fossils. Because it erodes more easily, the river has undercut the hard cap rock and created the falls.

Submerged in the river in the lower valley, hidden from view, is the Queenston Formation (Upper Ordovician), which is composed of shales and fine sandstones. All three formations were laid down in an ancient sea, and their differences of character derive from changing conditions within that sea.
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Things To Do in Niagara Falls

Niagara Falls is comprised of 200 acres of protected land. There are ample activities to please visitors of all ages. Taking a hike and then enjoying a quiet picnic is one possibility. Photographers will be delighted by the variety of sites throughout the area. Those tourists needing more hands-on activities will be thrilled with the wide variety of attractions.

The Aquarium of Niagara offers a wide array of marine life for viewing and examining. The popular Maid Of The Mist tour takes tourists on a close-up ride of Niagara Falls. For those more adventurous souls, take a tethered helium balloon ride over Niagara and experience the area from a wildly different viewpoint. Niagara Falls offers far more than a tourist could ever imagine. Shopping, attractions, and fine dining are only a start.

Getting in Niagara Falls

Arrivals in Niagara Falls are limited to bus and rail service, with the closest airports at Buffalo (Buffalo Niagara International Airport - BUF), Hamilton (John Munro International Airport - YHM) and Toronto (Lester Pearson International Airport - YYZ).

Rail service is provided in Canada twice daily to the Niagara Falls Rail Station on Bridge Street to Toronto (VIA RAIL also stops at St. Catharines, Grimsby, Aldershot (Burlington) and Oakville), New York City (AMTRAK also stops at Niagara Falls NY, Buffalo-Exchange, Buffalo-Dick Road, Rochester, Syracuse, Utica, Schenectady, and Albany-Troy.

Bus service is provided by Trentway Wagar (Coach Canada) and Greyhound Lines of Canada. Some service on Trentway Wagar or Greyhound Lines of Canada may operate with Adirondack Trailways, Capitol Trailways and New York Trailways equipment. Follow directions of terminal announcements to find your correct bus. The Niagara Falls Coach Terminal is located at the corner of Bridge Street and Erie, in Downtown Niagara Falls.

Most services operate on the Hamilton/Niagara Falls line run, the Niagara Falls/Toronto line run, and the Niagara Falls/Buffalo line run. A station agent can tell you about through service or connecting services from other cities.

Demographics of Niagara Falls

As of the censusGR2 of1230000, there were 55,593 people, 24,099 households, and 14,266 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,527.7/km² (3,955.7/mi²). There were 27,837 housing units at an average density of 765.0/km² (1,980.7/mi²). The racial makeup of the city was 76.21% White, 18.72% African American, 1.64% Native American, 0.71% Asian, 0.05% Pacific Islander, 0.68% from other races, and 1.99% from two or more races. 2.00% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 24,099 households out of which 27.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 36.2% were married couples living together, 18.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 40.8% were non-families. 35.9% of all households were made up of individuals and 15.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.27 and the average family size was 2.96.

In the city the population was spread out with 24.7% under the age of 18, 8.6% from 18 to 24, 27.7% from 25 to 44, 20.5% from 45 to 64, and 18.6% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females there were 87.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 83.0 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $26,800, and the median income for a family was $34,377. Males had a median income of $31,672 versus $22,124 for females.

History of Niagara Falls

The City of Niagara Falls was incorporated in 1892. Historically, the city was built up around factories that utilized the power of the falling water for energy. Now the downtown area is a park (Niagara Falls State Park) affording a close-up view of the American, Horseshoe and Bridal Veil Falls. The European intrusion into the area began in the 17th Century with missionaries and explorers. This interaction of the local tribes, already hostile, was rapidly converted to open warfare by the competition for the fur trade.

By the end of the 19th Century, the city was a heavy industrial area, due in no small part to the huge power potential offered by the swiftly-flowing Niagara River. The city still has a strong industrial base, but its location is away from the tourist areas.

While its Canadian twin, Niagara Falls, Ontario, began massively building up its tourism industry in the 1990s, allowing for casinos and tall tower hotels, essentially becoming the “Las Vegas of Canada,” Niagara Falls, New York, did very little. In 2004, the Seneca Nation of Indians opened the Seneca Niagara Casino in the former Niagara Falls Convention and Civic Center, which thereby became sovereign Native American territory in the midst of the city.

The first humans arrived in Niagara Region almost 12,000 years ago, just in time to witness the birth of the Falls. The land was different then, consisting of tundra and spruce forest. During this time (the Palaeo-Indian Period, which lasted until 9,000 years ago), Niagara was inhabited by the Clovis people. These nomadic hunters likely camped along the old Lake Erie shoreline, living in simple, tiny dwellings. They left little to mark their tenure except chipped stones. These large, fluted projectile points were likely to fell the caribou, mastodons, moose and elk that roamed the land.

By 9,500 years ago a deciduous forest apparently covered southernmost Ontario. This forest supported the hunter-gatherers of the Archaic Period (9,000 to 3,000 years ago) with a diet of deer, moose, fish and plants. Small groups hunted in the winter, feeding on nuts and animals attracted to the forest. Larger groups came together during the summer, setting up fishing camps at the mouths of rivers and along lakeshores.

The Woodland Period lasted from 3,000 to 300 years ago, culminating in the peak of Iroquois culture in southern Ontario. Corn, bean and squash agriculture provided the main sources of food. With their bellies full, the Iroquois had time for other pursuits and the population boomed. Small palisaded villages were built, with nuclear or extended families occupying individual longhouses. During this period, burial rituals and ceramics were introduced to Ontario. Society became more complex with a political system based on extended kinship and inter-village alliances.

When the European explorers and missionaries arrived at the beginning of the 17 th Century, the Iroquoian villages were under the direction of various chiefs elected from the major clans. In turn, these villages were allied within powerful tribal confederacies.

Unfortunately, inter-tribal warfare with the Five Nations Iroquois of New York State, made worse by the intrusion of the Europeans, dispersed the three Ontario confederacies, the Huron, the Petun and the Neutral. Niagara ceased to be the territory of those who lived in harmony with nature. Still, this fascinating period of native occupation cries out for interpretation and study. Since human settlement requires drinking water, sites within 150 metres of rivers and lakeshores have the greatest archaeological potential. Palaeo-Indian sites in Niagara would most likely be associated with the series of relic beach ridges that once formed the shore of early Lake Erie. (more…)

Introducation of Niagara Falls

Niagara Falls is a city located in Niagara County, New York. As of the 2000 census, the city had a total population of 55,593. It is across the Niagara River from Niagara Falls, Ontario, both named after the famed Niagara Falls which they share. It has been considered part of the Buffalo, New York metro area.

The Maid of the Mist boat goes right up to the foot of the falls and departs from both the U.S. and Canadian sides. The Maid of the Mist cruises are famous the world over. The boat takes you first to the base of the American Falls and then on to the basin of the Canadian Horseshoe Falls. This is a spectacular experience. Giant rock formations stretch above you while waves crash against the rocks in the river as well as the boat. Raincoats are provided because at times, the mist is as thick as rain. For an aerial view from the Canadian shore, ride the elevator to the top of either the Skylon Tower or the Minolta Tower Centre. There’s also a cable-car ride that takes visitors out over the Niagara Gorge and the Great Gorge Adventure, a boardwalk along the water, downriver from the falls.

The Great Gorge Adventure is a marvelous trip. You walk along a boardwalk beside a raging stretch of white water while viewing some of the most spectacular scenery in the world. Next to the Falls themselves, this is the most magnificent view of the Niagara River. The waters of the Niagara River have cut through this gorge for thousands of years. Walk out onto the platform and see the wonders of this river up close. It is a spectacular sight to see nature at work in the narrowest part of the river.

For a bird’s eye view of the Niagara River, take a trip on Niagara’s Helicopter Rides. Since1961, Niagara Helicopters Limited has been flying enthused sightseers over the Falls as well as the attractions. This may well be the highlight of your trip.

When standing on the Canadian side of the US/Canada border and looking toward the Falls, you see the American Falls to the left. A smaller waterfall toward the center is the “Bridal Veil Falls.” To the right is the “Horseshoe” or Canadian Falls.

The height of the American Falls is 176 feet, though rock and rubble at the base changes the measurement to 70 feet. Each second, 150,000 US gallons of water fall into the beautiful Niagara River. The length of the brink of the American Falls is 1,060 feet. (more…)

Buffalo Attractions

Elbert Hubbard Roycroft Museum - East Aurora. This is a definite, must see, as it is truly a hidden gem. The museum will provide the visitor with a surprise of some sort in just about every corner of the house. With a very dedicated and extremely knowledgeable team of volunteers who are only too willingly to help visitors at the museum, makes this a great place to visit.

Albright-Knox Art Gallery - This art gallery has one of the finest collections of modern art. Here you will find art by masters such as Picasso, Matisse, Derain, Monet, Van Gogh, Renoir and Warhol. This is a definite for the art enthusiast.

Buffalo Museum of Science - This museum is for all ages as it has hands-on exhibits and interactive activities. There are displays of dinosaurs, endangered species and insects that are larger than life. It also carries one of only three sand paintings in the world a Tibetan Sand Mandala.

St Paul’s Episcopal Cathedral - 128 Pearl St., Buffalo. In 1851 this Historic Landmark was blessed and in 1870 the towering spires were added. Unfortunately, in 1888 the church was almost destroyed in its entirety by fire and it was decided that with major reconstruction St Paul’s could be saved and after 2 ears of intense worked it reopened in 1890. The church is built of Medina sandstone and is marked with strong Gothic embellishments.

Niagara Mohawk Building - 535 Washington St., Buffalo. This skyscraper with a height of 294 feet was built in 1912. Its renowned glazed terracotta tower is amongst the city’s most beautiful sights and is definitely displays a majestic figure when lit at night.

Darwin D. Martin House - 118 Summit Ave, if you appreciate Frank Lloyd Wright architecture, this Prairie style house is a must-see. Constructed between 1903 and 1906, the 10,000 sq ft home is a horizontal hymn to architecture, and the interior is just as beautifully designed.

Graycliff - Located at 6472 Old Lake Shore Rd, set on a cliff overlooking Lake Erie, Graycliff is another Frank Lloyd Wright masterpiece, and is so designed as to blend with the surrounding landscape. Once you have seen all the beauty of the house itself, take a stroll through the lovely gardens and neighbouring woods.

Government and Politics of Buffalo

The Democratic Party has dominated Buffalo politics for the last half-century. As private sector employment has diminished in the city, the interests of government employees in job security and material benefits have led to higher levels of public spending and taxation on a shrinking population and business community.

This higher taxation has in return driven more employers out of the region resulting in a downward spiral of economic development and population loss. Civil servant union interests in preventing governmental reforms or consolidation that might threaten remaining municipal jobs has driven large voter turnouts and financial support for Democratic candidates that have consistently preserved the large City of Buffalo government.

In 2005, Buffalo voters faced a historic decision. Kevin Helfer, the city’s first major GOP candidate in over 40 years, defeated Byron Brown by a 2-1 margin in the Conservative Primary to win the first ever write-in campaign. Ultimately, voters rejected Helfer’s reform agenda and chose Byron Brown as the city’s first African-American mayor.

Union support bolstered Brown’s campaign, ultimately providing a substantial fundraising and volunteer effort. In exchange, Brown has backed a police job action and advocated eliminating the wage freeze imposed by the Buffalo Fiscal Stability Authority.

Education in Buffalo

Buffalo is home to two State University of New York institutions, each the largest of their type in the system. Buffalo State College, a comprehensive college, and the University at Buffalo, the flagship university center of the State University of New York. The city also is home to Bryant and Stratton College, Daemen College, D’Youville College, Medaille College, Canisius College, and Trocaire College. A campus of Erie Community College and a site of Empire State College are also located in the downtown area.

The Buffalo Public Schools are going through a transitional phase, with many buildings requiring renovation and enrollments overall declining. The system boasts the best academically performing high school in Western New York, the City Honors School at Fosdick-Masten Park,and Lafayette High School, completed in 1903 and the oldest Buffalo public school still in its original building.

Demographics of Buffalo

As of the censusGR2 of 2000,the city had a total population of 292,648. Erie and Niagara Counties have a combined population of 1,170,111 (2000). At that time there were 292,648 people, 122,720 households, and 67,005 families residing in the city. The population density is 2,782.4/km² (7,205.8/mi²). There are 145,574 housing units at an average density of 1,384.1/km² (3,584.4/mi²). The racial makeup of the city is 54.43% White, 37.23% African American, 0.77% Native American, 1.40% Asian, 0.04% Pacific Islander, 3.68% from other races, and 2.45% from two or more races. 7.54% of the population are Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 122,720 households out of which 28.6% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 27.6% are married couples living together, 22.3% have a female householder with no husband present, and 45.4% are non-families. 37.7% of all households are made up of individuals and 12.1% have someone living alone who is 65 years of age or older. The average household size is 2.29 and the average family size is 3.07.

In the city the population included 26.3% under the age of 18, 11.3% from 18 to 24, 29.3% from 25 to 44, 19.6% from 45 to 64, and 13.4% who are 65 years of age or older. The median age is 34 years. For every 100 females there are 88.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there are 83.5 males.

The median income for a household in the city is $24,536, and the median income for a family is $30,614. Males have a median income of $30,938 versus $23,982 for females. The per capita income for the city is $14,991. 26.6% of the population and 23.0% of families are below the poverty line. Out of the total population, 38.4% of those under the age of 18 and 14.0% of those 65 and older are living below the poverty line. Buffalo has very sizable populations of Italian, Polish, Irish, German and African descent.