This village, formerly known as Clifton, extends along the Canada shore
of Niagara River, from near the Falls to the railroad suspension bridge.
The tourist who wishes to inspect the cataract first from the Canada
side, leaves the train at Niagara Falls station; and should he choose to
find a temporary abiding place on the Canada side, he will find several
well-kept hotels, at prices varying according to accommodations desired.
The largest and most commodious of these is the CLIFTON HOUSE, which has
been open to the public for more than forty years, and has established a
reputation as in all respects a first-class house.
[Illustration: AMERICAN FALL, AS SEEN FROM CANADA SIDE.]
THE PROSPECT HOUSE is almost on the very verge of the Falls, being
located at Table Rock, and commands a fine view. The house has an
excellent reputation, its patrons being among the most celebrated of the
visitors, both from America and abroad.
The BRUNSWICK, located a little farther down the bank than the house
just mentioned,--just far enough, the proprietor claims, to be free from
the annoyance of mist and spray, but sufficiently near to give a
beautiful prospect from its windows and balconies,--furnishes a pleasant
stopping place, less pretentious than some of its larger rivals, but
with all its appointments complete, and well calculated to promote the
comfort of its patrons. It can take good care of large or small parties,
and is indeed a desirable stopping place for those who wish to tarry for
a single day, or for a longer period, the terms being moderate and the
fare excellent.
Other houses there are on this side, of which the limits of this work
forbid even a mention. Indeed, the provisions for the care of tourists
indicate that for a considerable portion of the year at least, that
constitutes by far the largest business of the dwellers in the vicinity.
[Illustration: TABLE ROCK.]
The Canada shore can claim one point over all other localities in the
vicinity of the Falls, in being the only place where a good view of the
cataract can be had without the payment of toll or admittance fees. The
effort now being made to create a public park on the New York shore, and
thus secure similar privileges in the “land of the free,” is attracting
much attention from tourists. Its results are as yet conjectural, but so
much has the value of the property become enhanced by the very practices
which this plan proposes to abolish, it seems now like a great
undertaking to accomplish what a few years ago would have been much more
easily brought about.
There are opportunities, however, to pay fees on the Canada side, and to
receive an equivalent in return. A staircase leading to the foot of the
Horseshoe Fall, permits a fine view from below, and in addition a visit
to the cavernous recess under Table Rock and Horseshoe Fall. For the
latter excursion, water-proof suits and the services of a guide are
necessary, and the experience is one long to be remembered.