Passing out at the gate of Prospect Park, a short walk brings us to the
toll-house of Goat Island, at the end of the bridge leading across to
the group of islands which divide the cataract into its two distinctive
parts. The largest of these bears the above name, which was given to it
from a trivial circumstance, illustrating how easily a nickname or title
becomes fastened “to stay” with a few repetitions, even from an
unauthorized source. More than a century ago, a Mr. John Stedman placed
some goats on the upper end of the Island, and through neglect they were
suffered to remain uncared for during the winter, and died from
exposure. Hence the name, which adheres to it, in preference to its
authorized name of “Iris Island.”
The group comprises, in all, some seventeen islands, large and small,
covering about sixty acres. The property belongs to the estate of the
late Judge Porter, to whom it was ceded by the State of New York in
1818. Its possession at that time was regarded as of little
consequence, and the attempt to put a bridge across was deemed
foolhardiness; but it is said that an offer of a million and a half
dollars has recently been refused for the estate.
[Illustration: GOAT-ISLAND BRIDGE.]
The first bridge was a frail structure, and was soon carried away. It
was replaced by a stronger one, which stood from 1818 to 1856, when it
was removed, and the present elegant structure substituted. The
foundations are heavy oaken cribs, filled with stone and plated with
iron. The bridge itself is of iron, in four arches, each of ninety feet
span, making a total length of three hundred and sixty feet. Its width
is twenty-seven feet, comprising a double carriageway, with footway on
either side. The bridge is a favorite place from which to view the
Rapids, as the waters near the precipice below.
The first island of the group is Bath Island, which is utilized as the
site of manufacturing enterprise, a large paper-mill occupying a
position to command some portion of the splendid water-power so idly
expending itself for naught. Crossing by a bridge of a single span to
Goat Island, we find ourselves in a spot where Nature has been
comparatively undisturbed. The forest remains almost in its primeval
simplicity, which fact renders this a most charming and popular resort.
Indeed, a visit to Niagara would be sadly incomplete were Goat Island
and its attractions to be omitted.
Ascending a slight rise from the bridge, the road leads into a shady
forest, and branches in three directions. The best method of visiting
the points of interest is to first turn to the right, and follow the
road or path to the foot of the Island, emerging from the forest near
the stairway and bridge leading to