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I wrote this Commentary
because I felt compelled to clarify some of the uninformed statements made about NIAGARA FALLS ITALIAN RESTAURANT. With any luck you'll find some
useful information to put to good use.
Historical background
While the name “Niagara” is supposed to come from an Iroquois phrase “Onguiaahra”, or “The Strait”, I have noticed the folklore to be a more appealing story. The legend from Native American Indians tells of Lelawala, a gorgeous maiden pledged by her father to an Indian warrior she despised. She chose to sacrifice herself to the Thunder God He-No instead of marrying a man she did not love. The history says that she paddled her canoe over the falls and into He-No’s arms. Together their souls will live always in the Thunder God’s refuge behind the Falls.
You in all likelihood already know that tourism is the areas main source of income. This really began during the early 1900's and even Napoleon's brother Jérôme Bonaparte visited with his bride. After our Civil War the railways began publicizing the area as a holiday spot. It wasn't difficult given the history to romanticize Niagara Falls as an idealistic honeymoon destination.
The touristry industry enjoyed a second boom immediately after World War One. It was the auto that provided a much need boost to the industry. Travel to the area turned much easier and was one of the best holiday destinations that New Yorkers could drive their shiny new cars to.
Almost from the time that Niagara Falls was found man has been seeking to harness the massive water flow as an perpetual supply of energy. The first successful effort to use the falls as an energy source was documented in 1759 when Daniel Joncairs powered his lumbermill with a small man made channel. The major growth came in 1883 when Nikola Tesla formulated the three-phase system of alternating current power transmission. This engineering science made it possible to transfer electricity over long distances. Today Niagara Falls provides almost 4.4GW of power to the encircling areas of both the United States and Canada.
Preservation efforts
Once Europeans commenced to settle in the Niagara Falls area it was quickly targeted by developers and entrepreneurs alike as a way to produce a quick fortune. Unlike today most of the land in the area was privately owned and was easily acquired for growth. This came at a cost to the natural beauty of the region. Fortunately a group of worried citizens guided by noted artist Frederick Church formed the Free Niagara crusade. This governance was successful in convincing the general populace that Preservation of the area was in its best concern.
In 1885 the Niagara Reservation State Park, engaged by New York State, set out purchasing land from developers in an campaign to slow the overwhelming development in the area. The Canadians followed suit in the same year with the Queen Victoria Niagara Falls Park. Each administrations have been staggeringly successful at upholding the area and limiting growth so that succeeding generations will be able to enjoy this natural marvel.
Niagara has so much to offer. From a deep account of romance and adventure to a true natural wonder. If your shopping for a holiday to the region, I’m certain you’ll be able to find plenty to do. I have listed several good books at the end of this article or you can visit Amazon for a complete list of books on Niagara Falls. Please remember to leave the area as decent as you encountered it and to leave the barrel at home.
Niagara Falls : An Intimate Portrait - by John Grant
Fodor's Toronto 2006 : With Niagara Falls & the Niagara Wine Region (Fodor's Gold Guides) - by Fodor's
In the Mad Water: Two Centuries of Adventure and Lunacy at Niagara Falls - by T. W. Kriner
Niagara Falls Volume II (Images of America) - by Daniel M. Dumych
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