This book takes readers beyond the lights and the sounds of the City of the Falls to venture to lesser-known but equally fascinating sites that abound across the region.
The first-known European to gaze upon Niagara Falls was a Jesuit priest and explorer named Louis Hennepin in 1688. He took his somewhat exaggerated description of its size and power back to amazed Europeans. From then on, the Falls became a must-see destination for people from around the world and one of Canada's leading tourist attractions.
But there is more to the Niagara region than a mighty cataract. There are the world-class hotels and casinos, the Shaw Festival, the wineries, the hydroelectric generators, the natural wonders, the historic sites, and the Welland Canal -- an engineering marvel and vital transportation link.
This book is the story of the falls and beyond, covering:
- The geological evolution of the Falls
- Pioneering development of Ontario's hydroelectric power
- Niagara's wine region
- Niagara's Indigenous legacy
- The War of 1812
- Niagara's Black history and heritage
- Modern hotels and historic hostelries
- The Niagara Parkway
- Bridges across the Niagara River
- The gardens of Niagara
- Hiking trails and conservation areas
- Casinos, hotels and midway rides
- The Shaw Festival
- Historic downtown streetscapes
- Niagara's historic mansions
- Lost villages and ghost towns
- Niagara's railway legacy, and more!