THE FIRST FRENCH EXPLORERS When Samuel de Champlain arrived in Ontario in 1615, the Hurons were at war with the Iroquois. The Neutrals of the Niagara region were on good terms with both sides although the presence of war parties from both nations must have made the situation a precarious one. Champlain led a war […]

The first barrel trip over the Falls was made by Annie Edson Taylor, a school teacher from Bay City Michigan, on October 4, 1901. Annie’s barrel was curiously constructed, tapered almost to a point at the bottom and bound with metal hoops. It was padded with pillows and had a 45.4 kg (100 lb.) anvil in its bottom to keep it upright as it floated downriver.

First Explorers The first written mention of Niagara Falls was made by Jacques Cartier who left France in May of 15 35 on an exploration journey. Reaching the St. Lawrence River he named it after the Saint of the same name. Here he enquired of the Indians about the source of the river and was […]

 Chronology of the important dates. Facts, events and famous people in Niagara Falls history History of Niagara Falls is the article about chronology of the important history facts, dates, events and people visiting the waterfalls, from the formation to the modern days. History of Niagara Falls – Events from thousands of years ago 18 000 […]

Long ago, the peaceful tribe of the Ongiaras lived beside the Niagara River. For an unknown reason, Indians were dying, and it was believed that the tribe must appease the Thunder God Hinum, who lived with his two sons in a cave behind the Falls. At first, the Indians sent canoes laden with fruit, flowers […]

Captain Matthew Webb Captain Matthew Webb was born in England in 1848, one of seven children and went to sea at an early age. In 1875 he accomplished the feat of being the first person to swim the English Channel from Dover to Calais, a distance of twenty-five miles. He had also been awarded a […]

Carlisle Graham On Sunday, July 11th, 1886 Graham Carlisle, a barrel maker from Philadelphia became the first person ever to shoot the Great Gorge Rapids in a barrel. Capt. Joel Robinson had already piloted the Maid of the Mist from it’s landing below the Horseshoe Falls to Queenston in 1861. Carlisle Graham would make his […]

On a warm July afternoon in 1960 Jim Honeycutt, from Niagara Falls, New York took two young friends for a boat ride in the upper Niagara River. The boat quickly developed engine problems, and capsized, throwing the three passengers into the river upstream from the falls. Jim Honeycutt was quickly swept over the edge to […]

Have you ever found yourself wondering about Niagara Falls History or how Niagara Falls was formed? Know your Niagara Falls history! Frozen Niagara Falls is a big hit with tourist. Here are some of the coolest questions: So, why does Niagara Falls freeze? How was Niagara Falls formed? The Clovis people were the first known […]

Early in North American history, convenient water travel, excellent fishing and fertile soils attracted Indian tribes to the Fort Erie area. However it was the abundance of flint in the rocky ledges of the local Lake Erie shoreline that kept the native people here on a continuing basis. From this stone they fashioned their tools […]