Niagara Falls in Niagara Region, Ontario — Central Canada (North America)

The History of Tourism around Niagara Falls

L'Histoire du tourisme autour des Chutes Niagara

— Niagara Parks —

The History of Tourism Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Sandra Hughes Tidwell, June 25, 2024

1. The History of Tourism Marker

Inscription. Click to hear the inscription.

In many ways, the atmosphere surrounding the tourist area of Niagara Falls has not changed very much in almost 200 years. Since the mid-1800s tourism operators began creating "amusements" for visitors to the Falls, stretching all the way from Clifton Hill to Dufferin Islands, the area known as "the Front" since it was along the front of the view of Niagara Falls itself. These offerings included everything from elevators and walkways taking people down to the water's edge, to tunnel views behind the Falls and towers offering high views from above, along with hotels, food stands, very early photo booths, carriage rides, and more. Ensuring that the lands around the Falls and the gorge were protected for future public use was a key factor in the creation of the Niagara Parks Commission itself.

À bien des égards, l'atmosphère entourant la zone touristique des Chutes Niagara n'a pas beaucoup changé en presque 200 ans. Depuis le milieu des années 1800, les opérateurs touristiques ont commencé à créer des "amusements" pour les visiteurs des chutes, qui s'étendent de Clifton Hill aux îles Dufferin, la zone connue

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sous le nom de "Le Front", car elle se trouve en face de la vue des Chutes Niagara. Ces offres comprenaient toutes sortes de choses, des ascenseurs et des passerelles permettant de descendre jusqu'au bord de l'eau, des tunnels permettant de voir derrière les chutes et des tours offrant des vues en hauteur, ainsi que des hôtels, des kiosques à nourriture, les tout premiers photomatons, des promenades en calèche, etc. S'assurer que les terres autour des chutes et de la gorge soient protégées pour une utilisation publique future a été un facteur clé dans la création de la Commission des parcs du Niagara elle-même.

Erected by Niagara Parks.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Entertainment • Parks & Recreational Areas. A significant historical year for this entry is 1850.

Location. 43° 4.661′ N, 79° 4.744′ W. Marker is in Niagara Falls, Ontario, in Niagara Region. It can be reached from Niagara River Pkwy, on the right when traveling north. This marker is 60 metres east of the road, along the Trans-Canada trail, near the Table Rock bus parking, 150 metres south of the Horseshoe Falls. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 6760 Niagara River Pkwy, Niagara Falls ON L2G 7B7, Canada. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is on Ontario’s Golden Horseshoe

and in Niagara Canada.

It is also in Central Canada.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once a British colony,

the Viceroyalty of New France,

the Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) Confederacy,

and Rupert’s Land.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Geological Formation of Niagara Falls and the Niagara River (within

Marker in context image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Kevin Westell, July 3, 2025

2. Marker in context

Photo faces west from the Trans Canada walking/biking trail. The marker is very close to the southern of the two bus loops.

shouting distance of this marker); The Niagara Parks Commission / Commission Des Parcs Du Niagara (within shouting distance of this marker); Bird, Mammal, and Fish Species along the Niagara River (within shouting distance of this marker); Niagara Falls Park and River Railway Powerhouse (within shouting distance of this marker); Indigenous Culture / Approaches to Water (about 90 meters away, measured in a direct line); Indigenous History along the Niagara River (about 90 meters away); José María Heredia (about 120 meters away); Why Is This Canada And That's America? (about 150 meters away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Niagara Falls.

Credits. This page was last revised on September 29, 2025. It was originally submitted on July 11, 2024, by Sandra Hughes Tidwell of Killen, Alabama, USA. This page has been viewed 167 times since then and 18 times this year. Last updated on September 10, 2025, by Kevin Westell of St. Catharines, Ontario. Photos: 1. submitted on July 11, 2024, by Sandra Hughes Tidwell of Killen, Alabama, USA. 2. submitted on September 6, 2025, by Kevin Westell of St. Catharines, Ontario. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.