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Did You Know? -
Interesting Things To Know About Niagara
The word "Onguiaahra" appears on maps as
early as 1641. Both it and the
later version "Ongiara" are Indian words generally interpreted as
meaning "The Straight", athough the more romantic "Thunder of Waters"
is sometimes given. By the time the first white man arrived at the
Falls, the name in general use was "Niagara".
Did You
Know?
In 1841 the first recorded "photograph" of Niagara Falls was a
daguerrotype made by H.L. Petterson of newcastle, England who was
commissioned by Parisian publisher Noel Marie Herebours.
Did You
Know?
Charles Dickens visited Niagara Falls in 1841. On viewing the Canadian
Falls from Table Rock he wrote, "Niagara was at once stamped upon my
heart, an Image of Beauty; to remain there, changeless and indelible,
until its pulses cease to beat, forever."
Did You
Know?
Niagara Falls can boast a succession of firsts, each of which
mirrors the times; the first museum in North America; the first railway
suspension bridge in the world; the first use of public money to
expropriate land for public parks; the first hydro-electric power
development in history.
Did You
Know?Did You Know?
The Maid of the Mist II played a role in a spectacular and historic
event on July 9, 1960. The Maid's crew rescued 7 year old Roger
Woodward after he was accidentally swept over Niagara Falls clad only
in a bathing suit and life preserver. Roger is the only known human
being to go over Niagara falls accidently and survive!
Did You
Know?
The American Falls stopped flowing from
September 12, 1969 until November 26, 1969. During this time a coffer
dam, constructed of rock
and fill was built above the Falls diverting water to the Canadian
Horseshoe Falls. The diversion was carried out by the United States
Army Corp. of Engineers to study posible remedial works that could be
undertaken to stabilize rock fall in this area. After seven years of
studying the results, it was decided not to interfere with the natural
condition of the Falls and the process of erosion and recession should
not be interupted.
Did You
Know?
The Niagara Parks Commission in 1995 purchased 257 hectares (636 acres)
of historical property above the Falls. It is here the Battle of
Chippawa took place on July 5, 1814 between the British and the United
States Armies. The U.S. regulars wearing a new uniform of grey drove
the british units back.
Years later, when officials were choosing a colour for the cadet
uniform at the United States Military Academy at West
Point, this same grey, worn at a victorious battle in "Far off
Canada" was their choice. Chippawa Grey is worn to this day by West
Point cadets.
Did You
Know?
Canada contains or shares with the U.S., seven of the world's 14
largest lakes. It is home to three of the world's 20 longest rivers,
the world's oldest exposed rock, the world's largest supply of fresh
water and some of the world's richest mineral deposits.
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