Tourist Trap or Just Business?

Whether you work in tourism or not, it is well known that many visitors are not happy with the price gouging in the tourist district. Returning visitors often have the same complaint but continue to be drawn in by the beauty of the falls. This has gone on for many years, but just how many? I did a little research and found some very interesting facts on the subject and I wanted to share some of it with you. Below is a snippet from the book The Second Greatest Disappointment by Karen Dubinsky. What do you think? Is Niagara Falls a tourist trap or is it just business?

Niagara was home to colourful characters and romantic stories, but its tourist industry, according to most visitors, left a lot to be desired. From almost the first time that Niagara was claimed for tourism, in the 1820s, travelers have expressed their disapproval with how the place was being run. By the 1830s visitors were sending out warnings. In 1831 Alexis de Tocqueville urged a friend to “hasten” to Niagara, because he didn’t “give the Americans ten years to establish a saw or flour mill at the base of the cataract.

Two long-standing complaints were that Niagara was being ruined and that a Niagara holiday was too expensive. Visiting in the 1850s, Isabella Bird resented the distractions of “parasitic guides, sandwich-eating visitors, vile museums, pagodas and tea-gardens,” and William Ferguson agreed that Terrapin Tower, the staircases to the base of the Falls, and “some twopenny-halfpenny museums, which all cluster about the edge of the falls, spoil the effect sadly.” In 1871 English visitor Henry Jones was astonished that the spectacle he had come so far to see was “choked in the horrible vulgar shops and booths and catchpenny artifices which have pushed and elbowed to within the very spray of the Falls, and ply their importunities in a shrill competition with its thunder.”

Another wrote, humorously, of the defilement by billboards: As you stood on the Table Rock, the finest point from which to view the Falls, a huge board, which you could not possibly evade, informed you all the time that Jennings liver pills were sure, quiet but searching. The fine trees which frame every lovely picture on Goat Island had been let out to a wretch who had painted on every trunk the startling fact that “gargling oil was good for a man and beast,” and the lovely rocks on Luna Island resounded with the cry that Love’s worm powder was never known to fail.
Continue reading »

Embassy Suites Promo Video

A short promo video featuring the luxurious Embassy Suites Hotel overlooking Niagara Falls.

A Year Without A Summer

From the book Water Over The Falls by Paul Gromosiak

The year 1816 is known in the Niagara region as “the year without a summer” because there were frosts in June, July, August and September. In May of that year, so much ice from Lake Erie accumulated above the falls that the American and Bridal Veil Falls were just about turned off. It was possible to go to the islands in the upper rapids just by walking on the ice. (There were no bridges to any of the islands at that time.)

Accumulations of ice both above and below the falls have always been an integral part of the process of recession of the falls. The ice breaks up rocks and erodes the gorge and river shores.
Continue reading »

Cheap, But Meaningful Things To Do On Valentines Day

So everyone struggles with Valentine’s Day, well almost everyone. It’s a very overly commercial holiday, and the best way to get away from the hype is to get the bigger message that Valentine’s is supposed to mean.

That is the love for your partner.. There are many ways you can show you love your partner other then saying I love you. Here are a few low-cost suggestions and high meaning tips.
Continue reading »

Blue Ghost Tunnel Part 6

Part 6 of a series about the Merritton Train Tunnel that runs under the 3rd Welland Canal. Look forward to more newspaper clippings, photos and videos from what is now known as, The Blue Ghost Tunnel.

This article is titled “Seaway Considers Sealing Off Tunnel To Stop Trespassing” and appeared in the St. Catharines Standard on September 14, 2005. This was the first article that mentioned the possibility of the tunnel being sealed. More articles on this topic coming soon.

Despite the Blue Ghost Tunnel’s ominous name it is not ancient spirits but young vandals haunting it, prompting the seaway security to request the landmark be sealed.

Kevin Valencourt of Niagara Amateur Ghost Seekers** said, after Creepy Canada portrayed the 1873 tunnel as “700 feet of hell on earth”, the place has become a favourite party spot for teenagers who drink beer, spray graffiti and leave trash all around.

“It’s just sickening to see a piece of history desecrated in such a fashion,” Valencourt said. “One night we were down there, somebody was handing out maps for a party. I’ve seen people dropping their children off there for a couple of hours.”
Continue reading »

Blue Ghost Tunnel Part 5

Part 5 of a series about the Merritton Train Tunnel that runs under the 3rd Welland Canal.

St. Catharines Standard - Jan 3, 1903
No.4 Express Collides with a light Mogul Near Merritton Tunnel

On the Grand Trunk rail line near Merritton a serious and fatal accident occurred near the Merritton Tunnel today. The accident occurred around 7:03am at a point about 100 yards from the tunnels western entrance. Engine Number 975 was an 80 ton mogul train to leave from Niagara Falls at 6:00am each morning and run through to Hamilton.

Engine Number 4 express train was one of the best and fastest trains on the G.T. R. and was scheduled to arrive in Merritton at 6:28am. The Engineer’s name was Duke and the fireman that manned the boiler was Abraham Desult both from Sarnia. As nearly as can be learned it was 7:03 am when the ill-fated express train passed a small telegraph station near the tunnel,

A few moments later and almost one third of a mile down the track the engine of the express train and the light mogul train met with a terrible crash. Both engines at the time of the collision were in full steam when they met head on. The accident happened on a sharp curve where both engineers could not see each other for a distance of 200ft. The estimated speeds of both trains were about 22MPH at the time of the collision.

Both engineers escaped with only broken limbs and minor cuts to face and arms while Mr. Charles Horning (firemen) for the express train was killed instantly. The reporter described the condition of the body as being jammed between the boiler and tentler, his body was horribly mangled. When rescuers went to pull on the limbs of the man to try to free him they broke off. When some of the remains were taken away, his mid section was so tightly wedged between the tentler and boiler that his remaining body could not be pulled free. It was even noted that his watch on one of his arms was still working……

The other firemen (Abraham Desult) from the mogal train was smashed into the boiler of the train, and received burns to 90% of his body. He was rushed to the St.Catharines General Hospital where he died 5 hours after the accident.

The People’s Press - Jan 3, 1903
Another Wreck For The Grand Trunk
The wreck on the Grand Trunk at Merritton tunnel this morning has added greatly to the general uneasiness regarding the condition of affairs on the Grand Trunk system, which has caused four wrecks in a week—Wanstead, Victoria Bridge, Toronto and now Merritton. Some of the Grand Trunk men lay the blame for the accidents to the indroduction…… (sorry this is all I have of this news article)

Chuck And Larry Scene At Niagara Falls

If you have seen the movie Chuck and Larry, you would remember the part when they come to Niagara Falls to get married. As Chuck and Larry ride around in the cab, you can see stock footage of local businesses pass by. Most of the business names where changed, photoshopped if you will, to names of Wedding Chapels. While watching the video below, see if you can guess what they really are and place your answer in the comments.

Police Warn To Think Twice Before Giving A Loan

The Niagara Regional Police Service would like to remind all citizens, and especially seniors, to use caution in regard to their financial matters. The warning is in response to recent incidents involving unscrupulous individuals approaching seniors for financial loans.

In each incident the culprit used a false story involving illness or financial desperation to con trusting, compassionate citizens out of their hard earned money. Sadly, in some cases, the con artists were family members or acquaintances of the victims.

The following tips are offered to help senior citizens and others decide if they should agree to make any type of financial loan:

- Remember that you are not compelled to loan anyone money including family members.

- If the story sounds too good to be true, then it probably is.

- You are not the last resort for those in financial need. There are many government and social agencies available to assist people with health issues and financial assistance matters.

- Don’t be pressured into making quick arrangements. Advise someone you trust of the situation. Consult with your bank manager before making any final decisions.

- You should notify the police if you, or someone you know, are being threatened or pressured into giving someone money.

What Will Be Open And Closed On New Year’s Day

With the arrival of 2008 comes the closure of a number of businesses and services on Tuesday, New Year’s Day. Many will also close earlier than normal on New Year’s Eve.

Here’s how things look in Niagara on Jan. 1
Beer and liquor stores: closed
Banks: closed
Stores: most retailers and grocery stores closed
Mail: no delivery and offices closed
Government: Welland and Port Colborne city halls, Pelham town hall and Wainfleet township hall remain closed until Jan. 2; regional offices closed Dec. 31 and Jan. 1. Other offices are unknown at this time.
Libraries: closed New Year’s Day
Garbage/recycling: collection delayed by one day for the week effective starting New Year’s Day; regular Monday collection.
Newspapers: no paper New Year’s Day and offices are closed

2007 Boxing Day Disappointments

I decided to check out the boxing day sales today.

First I went to the Pen Centre and there was not really any good sales this year on clothing at all. Most of the clothing stores were only giving discounts if you purchased 2 items or more. The most common sale I saw was buy 2 get 1 free.  Apparently the customer who only buys one item is not important.

I then ventured over to Chapters to see if I could spend my money there instead. They were offering 30% off.  I grabbed 3 books that I have been waiting to purchase on boxing day, got up to the check out and was told the sale was only on hard cover books. That’s right - full price for all of these books.

Since I was at the Fairview Mall, I wondered out to Mark’s Work Warehouse to look at winter jackets. There was a sign that said $45 off winter jackets. Great! I picked 1 out that was originally $100 and I was told that the sale was not on that coat, only the others.

All in all, I spent $223 and saved $0 on Boxing Day. What happened to the days when there were actually decent Boxing Day sales. The only place that didn’t let me down was Wal-Mart. They always come through with great discounts which is why they will probably be the last store left standing in about 40 years.