You may think you know Niagara Falls, but until you actually go visit, learn, and see for yourself, we guarantee you-you don't!
Get more acquainted with the gorgeous falls before your visit and read what our friends at Niagara Falls USA have to say as a quick wrap up of Niagara Falls fun facts!!
**Photos credit Danielle Bopp
- Niagara Falls State Park is the oldest state park in America, established in 1885 at the Niagara Reservation.
- Niagara Falls is comprised of three waterfalls, from largest to smallest, the Horseshoe Falls (also known as the Canadian Falls), American Falls and Bridal Veil Falls; the vertical height is over 176 feet in some sections.
- The first person to go over the Niagara Falls in a barrel was 63-year-old school teacher Annie Edson Taylor. She is buried at Oakwood Cemetery in Niagara Falls in an area called Stunters Rest, along with other Niagara Falls daredevils.
- Cave of the Winds, located at Niagara Falls State Park is torn down and re-built every year.
- The birth of Niagara Falls can be traced back more than 12,000 years to the end of the last glacial period.
- Despite myths to the contrary, Niagara Falls does not freeze in the winter. However, the flow of water was reduced to a mere trickle for a few hours on March 29, 1848, because of an ice jam upstream in the Niagara River.
- Four of the five Great Lakes drain into the Niagara River, (Superior, Michigan, Huron, and Erie) before emptying into Lake Ontario. These five Great Lakes make up almost one-fifth of the world's fresh water supply.
- Fish travel over Niagara Falls and most survive because of their ability to flow with the water.
- Energy from the Niagara River has been harnessed for hydroelectric power generation as far back as the mid-eighteenth century.
- Power generation facilities along the Niagara River supply more than one-quarter of all power used in New York State and Ontario.
BONUS NIAGARA FALLS AREA FACTS:
- One of the oldest surviving United States flags is permanently displayed at Old Fort Niagara. It was captured by the British during the War of 1812.
- The historic Village of Lewiston was the site of the first battle of the War of 1812 and the last stop for slaves escaping to freedom on the Underground Railroad.
Information courtesy of our friends at Niagara Falls USA
