Niagara Falls in Niagara County, New York — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
United States Custom House
Photographed By Anton Schwarzmueller, November 12, 2020
1. United States Custom House Marker
Erected 2020 by William G. Pomeroy Foundation & Niagara Frontier Chapter, National Railway Historical Society. (Marker Number 147.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Notable Buildings. In addition, it is included in the William G. Pomeroy Foundation series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1963.
Location. 43° 6.589′ N, 79° 3.346′ W. Marker is in Niagara Falls, New York, in Niagara County. Marker is at the intersection of Whirlpool Street and Depot Avenue West, on the right when traveling north on Whirlpool Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 2245 Whirlpool Street, Niagara Falls NY 14305, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Escape Prevented (within shouting distance of this marker); First Niagara Suspension Bridge (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); A Bridge to Freedom (about 500 feet away); Great Gorge Railway Trail (about 500 feet away); To The River (about 500 feet away); About the year 1600 B.C. ... (approx. 0.3 miles away
this page online
More about this marker. The installation of the 2018 marker was delayed to 2020 due to the rebuilding of Whirlpool Street.
Regarding United States Custom House. The Custom House was built in 1863, serving several bridges spanning the Niagara gorge here. The Niagara River is the international border. The 1855 Niagara Falls Suspension Bridge was succeeded by the Whirlpool Rapids bridge in 1897 in the exact same place. This area was known as Suspension Bridge and Niagara City and Bellevue until the area was integrated into the City of Niagara Falls. Two other bridges immediately south were railroad bridges only. The cantilever bridge is gone. The Michigan Central arch bridge stands, but the approaches are removed. The US Customs Service vacated the Custom House in the 1960s. After being derelict for decades, the city revived it and attached a new train station to it. Now the first floor is an underground railroad museum and the second floor is occupied by Customs and Border
Photographed By Anton Schwarzmueller, November 12, 2020
2. United States Custom House and Marker
Also see . . . National Register of Historic Places Record. The original approved application to the registry, National Archives (Submitted on September 13, 2023, by Anton Schwarzmueller of Wilson, New York.)
Additional keywords. Niagara Falls Suspension Bridge Roebling
Photographed By Anton Schwarzmueller, November 12, 2020
3. United States Custom House
The new train station, attached to the Custom House, is at left. The railroad overpass leads to the upper deck of the Whirlpool Rapids Bridge, off picture the right. The lower deck of the Whirlpool Rapids Bridge is for cars (Nexus members only) and is the terminus of NY route 182.
Photographed By Anton Schwarzmueller, November 12, 2020
4. United States Custom House
North side of the Custom House
Photographed By Anton Schwarzmueller, November 20, 2020
5. United States Custom House
The east side is mostly enclosed by the train station. The open yellow door is the entrance to the Niagara Falls Underground Railroad Heritage Center. The closed yellow door on the second floor is the exit for international travelers after inspection by US Customs and Border Protection.
Photographed By Anton Schwarzmueller, November 20, 2020
6. United States Custom House
Northward view from Freedom Plaza on Whirlpool Street. From left to right: roadway for vehicles exiting the Whirlpool Rapids Bridge; Amtrak railroad overpass; US Custom House; train station. Note the US Border Patrol vehicle behind the fencing and the End NY Route 182 sign.
Credits. This page was last revised on September 13, 2023. It was originally submitted on November 13, 2020, by Anton Schwarzmueller of Wilson, New York. This page has been viewed 267 times since then and 27 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on November 13, 2020, by Anton Schwarzmueller of Wilson, New York. 5, 6. submitted on November 21, 2020, by Anton Schwarzmueller of Wilson, New York.
