Niagara Falls in Niagara County, New York — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Niagara's Industrial Beginnings and the Establishment of the State Reservation
Photographed by Anton Schwarzmueller, July 7, 2014
1. Niagara's Industrial Beginnings and the Establishment of the State Reservation Marker
Inscription.
In 1805, New York State sold the land around the falls, and mills and other businesses that used the Niagara river for power were established. These industries provided the local community with needed services, helping the area to prosper. When the Erie Canal opened in 1825, it provided a direct route across the state and greater access to goods and services. As a result, the community around the falls grew, and the area adjacent to the falls became plagued by industrial and commercial blight.
The development around the falls angered many people. Between 1869 and 1885, the "Free Niagara Movement" worked to rid the falls and adjacent areas of excessive industry and commercialism and create a park that would allow visitors to view the falls in their natural splendor. On July 15, 1885, the "State Reservation at Niagara" was dedicated. Over 75,000 people gathered to celebrate with marching bands, military units, orations, and fireworks. Thomas V. Welch, who led a citizen writing campaign to save the falls, became the park's first superintendent.
Niagara Reservation, the oldest state park in the United States, is now known
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as Niagara Falls State Park. Although the park has evolved over time to meet visitor needs, the public's desire to maintain the park's natural beauty has not changed. Nowhere in the country, perhaps in the world, can visitors enjoy so diverse an array of experiences in so accessible a space - spectacular scenic views, thunderous cataracts, mesmerizing rapids, micro-climates, geological processes, distinctive flora, and a designed landscape that is a celebrated work of American genius.
Industrial blight along the upper and lower American rapids.
Marching unit at park opening.
Thomas V. Welsh.
The Waterfalls of Niagara by R. Hancock. Published on May 17, 1794, by Laurie & Whittle, London.
During his 1869 visit to Niagara Falls, Frederick Law Olmsted became aware of the industrial threat to Niagara's natural beauty. He developed a plan to preserve this scenic wonder for the public that culminated in the establishment of the State Reservation at Niagara.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Environment. In addition, it is included in the National Historic Landmarks series list. A significant historical month for this entry is May 1755.
Location. Marker
Photographed by Anton Schwarzmueller, July 7, 2014
2. Niagara's Industrial Beginnings and the Establishment of the State Reservation Marker
View from Prospect Street.
has been reported missing. It was located near 43° 5.161′ N, 79° 3.899′ W. Marker was in Niagara Falls, New York, in Niagara County. It was at the intersection of Prospect Street and Old Falls Street, on the left when traveling north on Prospect Street. The Niagara Scenic Parkway from I-190 ultimately dumps traffic onto Prospect Street, which is one-way. Touch for map. Marker was in this post office area: Niagara Falls NY 14303, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker was in Upstate New York, specifically in Western New York, and in the Buffalo Metropolitan Area. It was also in the American Northeast and in the Mid-Atlantic. Globally, it was in North America, on the Great Lakes, in the Western Hemisphere, in the Western World, and in the Anglosphere. Historically, it found itself in what was once the Viceroyalty of New France, the Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) Confederacy, New Netherland, and one of the original Thirteen Colonies.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this location: Lake Ontario (here, next
Photographed by Anton Schwarzmueller, July 7, 2014
3. Niagara's Industrial Beginnings and the Establishment of the State Reservation Marker
Also see . . . 1. Niagara Falls State Park - Wikipedia. The Niagara Reservation, now named Niagara Falls State Park, was declared a U.S. National Historic Landmark in 1963. (Submitted on December 8, 2014, by Anton Schwarzmueller of Wilson, New York.)
2. Thomas Vincent Welch - Wikipedia. There is a marker for him in the database at his mansion. (Submitted on August 30, 2015, by Anton Schwarzmueller of Wilson, New York.)
Photographed by Anton Schwarzmueller, July 7, 2014
4. Niagara's Industrial Beginnings and the Establishment of the State Reservation Marker
Marker and right entrance pillar.
Photographed by Anton Schwarzmueller, July 7, 2014
5. Niagara's Industrial Beginnings and the Establishment of the State Reservation Marker
Left pillar.
Photographed by Anton Schwarzmueller, July 7, 2014
6. Niagara's Industrial Beginnings and the Establishment of the State Reservation Marker
Dedication on pillars.
Photographed by Anton Schwarzmueller, August 26, 2015
7. National Historic Landmark Plaque
Plaque is located at a gazebo on Prospect Street, south of the marker, around a bend in the street; 43.08473N, 79.064001W
Photographed by Anton Schwarzmueller, August 26, 2015
8. Landmark Plaque at Gazebo
Photographed by Anton Schwarzmueller, August 26, 2015
9. Landmark Plaque & Prospect Street
Photographed by Anton Schwarzmueller, April 15, 2020
10. Marker Missing
Marker was immediately by this stone pillar at the Old Falls Street entrance to Niagara Falls State Park. Note that the walkway into the park has been reconfigured.
Credits. This page was last revised on April 15, 2020. It was originally submitted on July 15, 2014, by Anton Schwarzmueller of Wilson, New York. This page has been viewed 818 times since then and 40 times this year. Photos:1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on July 15, 2014, by Anton Schwarzmueller of Wilson, New York. 7, 8, 9. submitted on August 30, 2015, by Anton Schwarzmueller of Wilson, New York. 10. submitted on April 15, 2020, by Anton Schwarzmueller of Wilson, New York. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.
