Niagara Falls in Niagara Region, Ontario — Central Canada (North America)
Table Rock House
Erected 1853. — Demolished 1926.
Photographed By J. J. Prats, October 16, 2014
1. Table Rock House Marker
Erected 1932 by Niagara Parks Commission.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Natural Features • Notable Places. A significant historical year for this entry is 1853.
Location. 43° 4.77′ N, 79° 4.785′ W. Marker is in Niagara Falls, Ontario, in Niagara Region. Marker can be reached from Niagara Parkway south of Murray Street. It is in the open room under the Table Rock House entrance tower opposite the incline railway. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Niagara Falls ON L2E 6T2, Canada. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Tightrope Walker Nik Wallenda (about 90 meters away, measured in a direct line); José María Heredia (about 120 meters away); Niagara Falls Park and River Railway Powerhouse (about 150 meters away); The Niagara Parks Commission / Commission Des Parcs Du Niagara (about 150 meters away); Nikola Tesla (approx. 0.3 kilometers away); Table Rock (approx. 0.3 kilometers away); a different marker also named Nikola Tesla
this page online
Also see . . .
1. Wikipedia Entry for Table Rock, Niagara Falls. “Table Rock was a large shelf of rock that jutted out from the Canadian shore of Niagara Falls, Ontario, just north of the present day observation and commercial complex. Revealed in the mid-18th century as the Horseshoe Falls receded, Table Rock was the first major vantage point for tourists of the early and mid-19th century.” (Submitted on October 18, 2014, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio.)
2. Wikipedia entry for Table Rock Welcome Center. “Davis' Table Rock House, standing since 1853, was in disrepair and was finally demolished in 1925 to make way for a new road and replacement building. Designed by the firm of Findlay and Foulis of Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario, this building is still in service today, albeit with major modifications since that time.” (Submitted on October 18, 2014, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio.)
3. Niagara Falls Railroads, A History. “The station was officially known as the Niagara Falls Depot and was the closest station to the Falls of
Photographed By J. J. Prats, October 16, 2014
2. Table Rock House Marker
Photographed By J. J. Prats, October 16, 2014
3. Table Rock House
Close-up of bas-relief on marker.
Photographed By J. J. Prats, October 16, 2014
4. The Table Rock Welcome Center, the Replacement for Table Rock House
This view is from the incline railway car at the top of the incline. The marker is in the open-air lower level of the tower-house you see in the foreground. It leads to a bridge over Niagara Parkway and into the second level of Table Rock Welcome Center. Inside you will find two attractions: Journey Behind the Falls, where you an walk to observation decks at the foot of the Falls and through tunnels far behind the Falls; and Niagara’s Fury, a “4-D experience” about the creation of the Falls. Also there are plenty of shops, and restaurants and snack bars. Walk through the Welcome Center to the promenade along the river and gorge.
Photographed By J. J. Prats, October 16, 2014
5. Table Rock Marker Inside Table Rock House, Lower Level Next to Tim Hortons
Being indoors, this marker does not qualify for its own page on the Historical Marker Database. It reads:
“You are visiting a site referred to as TABLE ROCK because of the flat rock overhang which was formed here. Continued erosion, however, caused it to fall into the water in 1850.
“Millions of visitors have travelled to this area since the early nineteenth century. Until 1885, this property was in private ownership, high fences restricted the view of the Falls, makeshift buildings scarred the area and visitors were often charged a fee for close-up viewing of the Falls.
“The Niagara Parks Commission was formed by the Government of Ontario in 1885 to preserve and enhance the natural beauty of the Falls for the enjoyment of visitors while generating sufficient income to be self-supporting. One of its first steps was to acquire this property. Substantial renovation has occurred at this site over the years to meet the needs of increasing numbers of visitors, most recently in 1990-91.”
Erected by “Niagara Parks Commission, Pamela Verrill Walker, Chairman. 1991.”
“You are visiting a site referred to as TABLE ROCK because of the flat rock overhang which was formed here. Continued erosion, however, caused it to fall into the water in 1850.
“Millions of visitors have travelled to this area since the early nineteenth century. Until 1885, this property was in private ownership, high fences restricted the view of the Falls, makeshift buildings scarred the area and visitors were often charged a fee for close-up viewing of the Falls.
“The Niagara Parks Commission was formed by the Government of Ontario in 1885 to preserve and enhance the natural beauty of the Falls for the enjoyment of visitors while generating sufficient income to be self-supporting. One of its first steps was to acquire this property. Substantial renovation has occurred at this site over the years to meet the needs of increasing numbers of visitors, most recently in 1990-91.”
Erected by “Niagara Parks Commission, Pamela Verrill Walker, Chairman. 1991.”
The Century magazine via Wikipedia Commons, 1876
6. Illustration of the fall of Table Rock at Niagara Falls in 1850
Wikipedia: “In 1818, the first part of the rock collapsed, followed by minor rockfalls in 1828 and 1829. The most notable rockfall occurred in July 1850, when roughly one-third of the point collapsed into the Niagara Gorge. A driver was washing his carriage on the point when the rock structure gave way. The man escaped, but the carriage was destroyed.”
Credits. This page was last revised on September 27, 2019. It was originally submitted on October 18, 2014, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio. This page has been viewed 577 times since then and 38 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on October 18, 2014, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio.
