History of Niagara Falls in Timeline
Niagara Falls is a collection of three waterfalls located on the border between Ontario, Canada, and New York, USA. The largest, Horseshoe Falls (Canadian Falls), straddles the international border. The American Falls and Bridal Veil Falls are located entirely within the United States. Goat Island separates Bridal Veil Falls from Horseshoe Falls, while Luna Island divides Bridal Veil Falls from American Falls. Niagara Falls is renowned for its immense beauty and is a popular tourist destination for both countries.
October 24, 1901: Annie Edson Taylor goes over the falls in a barrel
On October 24, 1901, Annie Edson Taylor, a 63-year-old school teacher, became the first person to go over Niagara Falls in a barrel as a publicity stunt. She survived, albeit bleeding and shaken.
1902: Partial freezing of the falls
The year 1902 is noted for partial freezing of Niagara Falls.
1906: Ontario government controls power transmission
In 1906, the Government of Ontario brought power transmission operations under public control, distributing Niagara's energy to various parts of the Canadian province.
1906: Legislation to preserve falls enacted
In 1906, the United States Congress enacted legislation to preserve Niagara Falls by regulating the waters of the Niagara River, prompted by J. Horace McFarland, the Sierra Club, and the Appalachian Mountain Club.
1906: Partial freezing of the falls
The year 1906 is noted for partial freezing of Niagara Falls.
1909: Treaty limits water diversion
In 1909, a treaty was established limiting the total amount of water diverted from Niagara Falls by both the United States and Canada to approximately 1,600 cubic metres per second (56,000 cu ft/s).
1911: Bobby Leach goes over Horseshoe Falls
In 1911, Bobby Leach went over Horseshoe Falls in a crude steel barrel and required rescuing. He was rescued by William "Red" Hill Sr.
1911: Partial freezing of the falls
The year 1911 is noted for partial freezing of Niagara Falls.
February 4, 1912: Ice Bridge Tragedy
On February 4, 1912, the ice bridge, which had formed on January 15, began breaking up while people were on it, resulting in three deaths.
August 6, 1918: Iron scow becomes stuck above the falls
On August 6, 1918, an iron scow became stuck on the rocks above Niagara Falls, and its two occupants were rescued.
July 1920: Charles Stephens dies going over the falls
In July 1920, Charles Stephens, a 58-year-old barber from Bristol, England, died after going over Niagara Falls in a wooden barrel. He was the first person to die attempting such a feat.
1923: Michigan Central Railroad Company decided to build a new bridge
In 1923, The Michigan Central Railroad company decided to build a new bridge to be located between the Lower Steel Arch Bridge and the Cantilever Bridge.
February 1925: Michigan Central Railway Bridge opens
In February 1925, the Michigan Central Railway Bridge opened and remained in use until the early 21st century.
1925: The New York Times used Ongiara
In 1925, The New York Times used the Native American word Ongiara for Niagara which means thundering water.
1928: "Smiling Jean" Lussier goes over the falls in a rubber ball
In 1928, "Smiling Jean" Lussier successfully went over Niagara Falls in a large rubber ball.
1932: Partial freezing of the falls
The year 1932 is noted for partial freezing of Niagara Falls.
1936: Partial freezing of the falls
The year 1936 is noted for partial freezing of Niagara Falls.
1937: Bridge renamed Whirlpool Rapids Bridge
In 1937, the Niagara Railway Arch, also known as the Lower Steel Arch Bridge, was renamed the Whirlpool Rapids Bridge.
January 1938: Ice jam twists the steel frame
In January 1938, an ice jam twisted the steel frame of the Upper Steel Arch Bridge.
January 27, 1938: Honeymoon Bridge collapses
On January 27, 1938, the Upper Steel Arch Bridge, commonly called the Honeymoon Bridge, collapsed after an ice jam twisted its steel frame earlier in January 1938.
February 1940: Construction of the Rainbow Bridge commences
In February 1940, construction of a steel bridge commenced.
November 1941: Rainbow Bridge opens
In November 1941, the Rainbow Bridge opened featuring two lanes for traffic separated by a barrier.
1950: Niagara Treaty regulates water diversion
In 1950, the Niagara Treaty was established to regulate water diversion from Niagara Falls. This treaty is administered by the International Niagara Board of Control.
1950: Treaty signed to limit water usage
In 1950, the U.S. and Canada signed a treaty to limit water usage by power plants to preserve the natural beauty of Niagara Falls. The treaty dictates minimum water flow over the falls, monitored by the International Niagara Board of Control, with adjustments for tourist season and time of day.
1950: Limitation remained in effect until 1950
The 1909 limitation for the total amount of water diverted from the falls by both nations remained in effect until 1950.
1953: Release of the movie Niagara
In 1953, visits to Niagara Falls rose sharply after the release of the movie "Niagara", starring Marilyn Monroe and Joseph Cotten.
1954: Talus deposited
In 1954, a huge mound of talus was deposited. Later a plan to remove it was abandoned owing to cost.
1954: Ice bridge thickness has not occurred since 1954
Since 1954, the ice sheet at the base of the falls has not been as thick as 12 to 30 metres (40 to 100 ft).
1955: Terrapin Point created
In 1955, the area between Terrapin Rocks and Goat Island was filled in, creating Terrapin Point, eliminating part of Horseshoe Falls.
1956: Niagara Fools animated short featured Woody Woodpecker
In 1956, the animated short "Niagara Fools" featured Woody Woodpecker attempting to go over Niagara Falls in a barrel.
1956: Hydropower station partially destroyed
In 1956, the region's largest hydropower station was partially destroyed in a landslide, which drastically reduced power production.
1957: Niagara Redevelopment Act passed
In 1957, the United States Congress passed the Niagara Redevelopment Act, granting the New York Power Authority the right to fully develop the United States' share of the Niagara River's hydroelectric potential.
1959: Glass and metal observation tower added
In 1959, a glass and metal observation tower was added to the area surrounding Niagara Falls.
July 9, 1960: "Miracle at Niagara" incident
On July 9, 1960, during the "Miracle at Niagara", seven-year-old Roger Woodward was swept over Horseshoe Falls after a boating accident. He survived, while his sister was rescued near the falls, and their uncle died in the incident.
1960: Niagara Falls Suite composed by Ferde Grofé
In 1960, composer Ferde Grofé was commissioned to compose the "Niagara Falls Suite" to honor the completion of hydroelectric work at the falls.
1961: Niagara Falls hydroelectric project goes online
In 1961, the Niagara Falls hydroelectric project went online and was the largest hydropower facility in the Western world at the time.
June 1969: Niagara River diverted from American Falls
In June 1969, a temporary rock and earth dam was constructed, completely diverting the Niagara River from American Falls for several months to allow for study and reinforcement of the riverbed.
November 1969: Temporary dam dynamited, restoring flow
In November 1969, the temporary dam that diverted the Niagara River from American Falls was dynamited, restoring the flow to the falls after the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers studied the riverbed and reinforced faults.
1980: Niagara Falls Featured in Superman II
In 1980, Niagara Falls was a featured location in the major motion picture "Superman II".
July 2, 1984: Karel Soucek plunges over Horseshoe Falls in a barrel
On July 2, 1984, Canadian Karel Soucek plunged over Horseshoe Falls in a barrel, sustaining only minor injuries and receiving a $500 fine for the unlicensed stunt.
August 1985: Steve Trotter goes over the falls in a barrel
In August 1985, Steve Trotter became the youngest person (age 22) and the first American in 25 years to go over Niagara Falls in a barrel.
1985: Karel Soucek fatally injured recreating Niagara drop
In 1985, Karel Soucek was fatally injured while attempting to recreate the Niagara Falls drop at the Houston Astrodome. His barrel was released prematurely, hitting the side of a water tank.
September 28, 1989: DeBernardi and Petkovich go over the falls in a barrel together
On September 28, 1989, Peter DeBernardi and Jeffery James Petkovich became the first "team" to go over Niagara Falls in a two-person barrel, aiming to discourage drug use.
June 5, 1990: Jesse Sharp paddles over the falls in a canoe
On June 5, 1990, Jesse Sharp paddled over Niagara Falls in a closed-deck canoe without a helmet or life vest. His body was never recovered.
1990: David Copperfield performs illusion
In 1990, illusionist David Copperfield performed a trick in which he appeared to travel over Horseshoe Falls.
1991: The Falls documentary film released
In 1991, Kevin McMahon's documentary film "The Falls" explored the place of Niagara Falls in the world's collective imagination.
September 27, 1993: John Munday completes his second journey over the falls
On September 27, 1993, John "David" Munday completed his second journey over Niagara Falls.
October 1, 1995: Robert Overacker dies going over the falls on a Jet Ski
On October 1, 1995, Robert Overacker went over Niagara Falls on a Jet Ski to raise awareness for the homeless. His rocket-propelled parachute failed, leading to his death.
1996: Native American groups threaten to boycott Maid of the Mist
In 1996, Native American groups threatened to boycott Maid of the Mist due to what they considered a fake story played on the boats; the audio was subsequently dropped.
1997: Niagara Falls piece composed by Michael Daugherty
In 1997, composer Michael Daugherty composed "Niagara Falls", a piece for concert band inspired by the falls.
October 20, 2003: Kirk Jones survives plunge over Horseshoe Falls without flotation device
On October 20, 2003, Kirk Jones became the first known person to survive a plunge over Horseshoe Falls without a flotation device, sustaining only minor injuries.
2004: Wonderfalls television show filmed near the falls
In early 2004, the short-lived U.S. television show "Wonderfalls" was filmed near Niagara Falls.
August 2005: Niagara Tunnel Project Started
In August 2005, Ontario Power Generation initiated the Niagara Tunnel Project, a major civil engineering endeavor to enhance power production. This involved constructing a new 12.7-meter diameter, 10.2-kilometer-long water diversion tunnel.
October 2006: Location footage shot for Pirates of the Caribbean
In October 2006, location footage of Niagara Falls was shot to portray "World's End" in the movie "Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End".
2006: Inducted into the North America Railway Hall of Fame
In 2006, the Cantilever Bridge was inducted into the North America Railway Hall of Fame.
2007: Visitor Traffic Total
In 2007, Niagara Falls was expected to have 20 million visitors, confirming its status as a major tourist attraction.
March 11, 2009: Man survives unprotected trip over Horseshoe Falls
On March 11, 2009, an unidentified man survived an unprotected trip over Horseshoe Falls. He was rescued from the river suffering from severe hypothermia and a head wound.
2009: Annual Tourist Rate Expected to Top 28 Million
By 2009, Niagara Falls' annual tourist rate was expected to top 28 million visitors.
2010: Tower Hotel renamed the Tower Hotel
In 2010, the Minolta Tower was renamed the Tower Hotel.
May 21, 2012: Unidentified man survives unprotected trip over Horseshoe Falls
On May 21, 2012, an unidentified man survived an unprotected trip over Horseshoe Falls after deliberately jumping into the Niagara River.
June 15, 2012: Nik Wallenda walks across the falls area on a tightrope
On June 15, 2012, Nik Wallenda became the first person to walk across the Niagara Falls area on a tightrope in 116 years, with permission from both governments. It was the longest unsupported tightrope walk in history.
March 2013: Niagara Tunnel Project Placed into Service
In March 2013, the Niagara Tunnel Project was officially placed into service, increasing the generating complex's capacity by 150 megawatts and providing new hydroelectricity for approximately 160,000 homes.
2013: Renovation of Three Sisters Islands begins
In 2013, New York State initiated an effort to renovate the Three Sisters Islands, located south of Goat Island, using funds from the re-licensing of the New York Power Authority hydroelectric plant.
2014: Hornblower Cruises replaces Maid of the Mist on Canadian side
In 2014, Hornblower Cruises replaced Maid of the Mist as the boat cruise operator on the Canadian side of Niagara Falls.
2014: Partial freezing of the falls
The year 2014 is noted for partial freezing of Niagara Falls.
2015: Chasing Niagara film documents kayaker's preparation
In 2015, the film "Chasing Niagara" documented professional kayaker Rafa Ortiz's preparation to paddle over Niagara Falls.
2017: Kirk Jones dies attempting to go over the falls again
In 2017, Kirk Jones died while attempting to go over Niagara Falls again, this time using a large inflatable ball.
2017: Partial freezing of the falls
The year 2017 is noted for partial freezing of Niagara Falls.
July 8, 2019: Man survives trip over Horseshoe Falls after jumping into the river
On July 8, 2019, a man jumped into the Niagara River and went over Horseshoe Falls. He was found alive but injured on the rocks at the water's edge.
October 31, 2019: Scow shifts position during storm
On October 31, 2019, the iron scow that became stuck above Niagara Falls in 1918 shifted its position by 50 meters during a storm.
2019: Partial freezing of the falls
The year 2019 is noted for partial freezing of Niagara Falls.
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