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

Thompson Point

Photographed By J. J. Prats, October 15, 2014

1. Thompson Point Marker

Inscription. Click to hear the inscription.

This depression was the site in the early 1800’s where John Thompson quarried the exposed limestone ridge at the edge of the gorge, and processed it into agricultural lime. There were two lime kilns and a water-powered sawmill on the site which extended as far back as the ridge on which the Whirlpool Restaurant now stands.

Erected by Niagara Parks Commission.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Notable Places.

Location. 43° 7.426′ N, 79° 4.153′ W. Marker is in Niagara Falls, Ontario, in Niagara Region. Marker is on Niagara Parkway just north of Whirlpool Road when traveling north. It can be seen from the access road to the Thompson Point parking lot where it intersects the Recreation Trail. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 3500 Niagara Parkway, Niagara Falls ON L2E 3E8, Canada. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Challenging the Whirlpool Rapids (approx. half a kilometer away in the U.S.); Niagara Gorge Natural History (approx. 0.6 kilometers away in the U.S.); Welcome to Whirlpool State Park

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(approx. 0.6 kilometers away in the U.S.); Eddy Basin (approx. 0.6 kilometers away in the U.S.); Niagara Spanish Aero Car (approx. 0.6 kilometers away); Whirlpool Rapids (approx. 0.6 kilometers away in the U.S.); Niagara River Recreation Trail (approx. 0.6 kilometers away); Whirlpool Rapids Gorge (approx. 0.6 kilometers away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Niagara Falls.

Regarding Thompson Point. It is the terminus for the Whirlpool Aero Car (previously known as the Niagara Spanish Aero Car) but today the car makes a round trip from the other side of the whirlpool without allowing passengers to disembark here.

Related marker. Click here for another marker that is related to this marker.

Also see . . . Wikipedia Entry for J. Enoch Thompson. “One of his trips to Spain resulted in the travelogue Seven Weeks in Sunny Spain. Thompson is also responsible for the Whirlpool Aero Car that continues to run at Niagara Falls. He developed it as a tourist venture, and recruited Spanish engineer Leonardo Torres y Quevedo to design it. The spot the car leaves from is named Thompson Point in his honour.”

Thompson Point Parking and Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By J. J. Prats, October 15, 2014

2. Thompson Point Parking and Marker

The lighted kiosk in the center of this photograph is in the depression.

(Submitted on December 6, 2014.)

Whirlpool Aero Car's Thompson Point Station image. Click for full size.

Photographed By J. J. Prats, October 15, 2014

3. Whirlpool Aero Car's Thompson Point Station

Passengers can no longer board or disembark here. The other end, Colt’s Point, is also on the Canadian side of the gorge (the river makes a turn here) but the aero car crosses into the United States for a portion of its trip.

View of the Whirlpool from Thompson Point image. Click for full size.

Photographed By J. J. Prats, October 15, 2014

4. View of the Whirlpool from Thompson Point

The aero car is docked at the distant end, Colt Point Station. Click on image to examine.

The Spanish Aero Car over the Niagara Gorge Whirlpool image. Click for full size.

Photographed By J. J. Prats, October 15, 2014

5. The Spanish Aero Car over the Niagara Gorge Whirlpool

Credits. This page was last revised on September 27, 2019. It was originally submitted on December 6, 2014, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio. This page has been viewed 522 times since then and 85 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on December 6, 2014, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio.