Built in 1904 after two years of construction, the Niagara Falls Public Library was funded in part by steel magnate and philanthropist Andrew Carnegie (1835-1919), who donated funds for thousands of libraries all over the country. Collectively, they became known as Carnegie Libraries. Carnegie agreed to pay for the libraries on the condition that communities provide the land and agree to maintain and operate them. For the Niagara Falls library, he agreed to grant $50,000 and the city agreed to spend $7,000 per year to maintain it. The building no longer is used as a library and now houses city government offices. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1974.
Although no longer serving its original purpose, the Niagara Falls Armory remains an impressive landmark. Designed by state architect Isaac Perry in the Late Victorian style, it was built in 1895 to be the home of the First Battalion, Third Infantry Regiment of the National Guard. Like other armories in New York Perry designed, this armory looks like a fortress. It consists of two corner towers, an administration building, and a drill shed. The southwest tower is three stories tall and is perhaps the most distinctive feature of the building. The armory was designed to resemble a castle on purpose, to inspire patriotism and to remind residents of the authority of the federal government. Specifically, the armory was meant to discourage labor strikes, anti-government protests, and other disruptive activities that were common in this period. As of early 2019, the building appears to be unused and it is not clear what its future status holds. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1995.
Built in 1925, Niagara Falls City Hall is a fine example of the Neoclassical Revival style, which is typical of civic architecture in the early 1900s. Designed by local architects Norton Kirkpatrick and Will A. Cannon, notable features include a grand entrance with fluted Ionic columns supporting a pediment with the engraved words "City Hall of Niagara Falls," and a semi-circular wing on the east side that houses the Common Council Chambers and features decorative garland panels. The building was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2001.
The First Unitarian Universalist Church of Niagara was built in 1921 and was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2007. Designed in the Neoclassical style, it was built of steel and concrete and features a unique, rough uncut limestone exterior, arched windows, and a two-story portico with Doric columns. It is home to a congregation founded in 1920.
This elegant building is the historic United States Post Office, which was constructed in 1907 and still operates today. It was designed by the former Office of the Supervising Architect of the Department of the Treasury, which, at the time, was led by Supervising Architect James Knox Taylor. The building is a fine example of French Neoclassical architecture with Beaux-Arts details. It features a rusticated, white marble exterior and a projecting main entrance pavilion with Ionic columns and topped by an entablature. The building was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1989.
The former Schoellkopf Power Station was an impressive facility. Originally built in 1874 and expanded in later years, it produced 450,000 kilowatts of power at its peak. It consisted of two levels. Three powerhouses (3A, 3B, and 3C) were located at the bottom and the upper level featured office buildings and forebays (manmade pools). The existing large stone wall built along the face of the gorge concealed the penstocks (tubes) that supplied water to Powerhouse 3A and includes an elevator shaft running between the two levels. On June 7, 1956, disaster struck. Water seeped from a part of the large wall, causing it crack and give way, sending water and rubble down in a massive earth and rock slide that demolished Powerhouses 3B and 3C. One worker died and the collapse caused a $100 million in damages in today's dollars. The site today is open to the public and is also used by the Maid of the Mist tour boat company.
Established in 1885, Niagara Falls State Park is the oldest state park in the country. It is located on the eastern shore of the Niagara River. The park offers visitors several attractions and activities to learn about and view the falls. These include the visitor center, a 30-minute trolley ride, the Cave of the Winds tour (which takes visitors behind the falls wearing ponchos), the Maid of the Mist boat tour, the Niagara Gorge Discovery Center, and an observation tower. The park is listed on the National Register of Historic Places as is also a National Historic Landmark.
This statue honors Chief Clinton Rickard, Tuscarora leader in the early 20th century who is best known for his work as the founder of the Indian Defense League. The league fought to maintain Native American sovereignty for area tribes, including the right to travel freely between the United States and Canadian border. These rights had previously been granted to Native tribes as part of the Jay Treaty between the United States and Great Britain in 1794.
Situated along the Niagara River, the Cataract House was a legendary hotel and restaurant for decades. It opened in 1825 and became a significant element of the Underground Railroad, with the restaurant’s staff—many of whom were escaped slaves themselves—often helping to ferry other fugitives across the river to Canada. The hotel also hosted some of the most well-known Americans of the nineteenth century, including Abraham Lincoln and Andrew Jackson. Unfortunately, the building was badly damaged by a fire in 1945 and was demolished the following year. The hotel was located at the site of what is now Heritage Park in Niagara Falls, and a historic marker recognizing the Cataract House was placed in the park, across the street from the Red Coach Inn.
With its curved shape and striking architecture, the former Hotel Niagara building is one of the most prominent landmarks in Niagara Falls. Erected in 1925, it was the last of the city's large hotels built in the early 1900s. The hotel was also notable for not being developed by one individual but rather the Chamber of Commerce and local residents. Its design combines elements of Italian Renaissance, Federal, and Adam architectural styles. The base consists of an artificial granite and limestone exterior with five arched openings, each of which contain decorative terra cotta panels. Other notable features include the terra cotta stringcourse and projecting cornice at the top of the building. As of July 2022, the building is vacant. A developer intended to restore it beginning in 2020 but the Covid-19 pandemic derailed those plans.
Reaching a height of 20 stories, the former United Office Building was the tallest building in Niagara Falls until 2005. Now a luxury hotel called The Giacomo, the building was erected in 1929 by Frank A. Dudley, who was the president of the United Hotels Company of America. The building is considered one of the finest examples of Art Deco architecture in Western New York and is known for its use of Mayan Revival decorative terra cotta and sculptural elements. The setback floors at the top of the building feature friezes depicting ancient Mayan gods. The hotel opened in 2010. The building was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2006.
This Tour is a Walking Tour.
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This walking tour centers on historical landmarks near Niagara Falls and then moves north along Main Street. Be sure to not miss the Underground Railroad Heritage Center which is just about a mile further north beyond the final stop of this short walk.
