The surprising history behind America’s first state park
Today, you can walk right up to Niagara Falls, hear the roar, feel the mist, and take it all in—for free. But not long ago, that was impossible. In fact, in the 1800s, Niagara Falls was almost lost to greed, fences, and souvenir shops.
The Falls Were Fenced Off
In the mid-1800s, private landowners bought up the land around the American side of Niagara Falls. They built fences, put up billboards, and charged tourists just to peek at the water. If you didn’t pay, you didn’t see the falls. One writer called it “a huckster’s paradise.”
Even famous visitors were shocked. In 1831, French writer Alexis de Tocqueville warned that Americans would ruin Niagara Falls by surrounding it with factories and commerce. British travelers in the 1830s said, “Niagara does not belong to individuals; it should be the property of civilized mankind.”
By the 1870s, the area was a mess—full of smoke, noise, and pushy salesmen. It didn’t feel like a wonder of nature. It felt like a carnival.
Cheap Thrills and Gimmicks
Promoters used wild stunts to bring in crowds. One hotel owner even filled a boat with live animals—a buffalo, two bears, raccoons, and a goose—and sent it over the falls. The crowd cheered, but only one goose survived.
Tightrope walkers crossed the gorge to drum up business. Later, daredevils went over the falls in barrels. Niagara had become a sideshow, not a sanctuary.
Jack London’s Visit
In 1902, the American writer Jack London visited Niagara Falls and was heartbroken by what he saw. Power plants, trimmed trees, and commercialization had robbed the river of its raw beauty. He wrote:
“All the wild beauty of Niagara has been destroyed. The banks are tamed. The islands are trimmed and manicured. And the mighty river has been chained for profit.”
His words captured what many people were feeling: Niagara was being lost.
The “Free Niagara” Movement
Thankfully, many stood up to fight back. Famous landscape designer Frederick Law Olmsted, who designed Central Park, joined with painter Frederic Church and others. They believed Niagara should be free and open to everyone, not just those who could afford it.
Together, they launched the “Free Niagara” movement. They pushed the state to buy the land, tear down the fences, and protect the views. People across the country supported them.
A Victory for the People
In 1885, New York created Niagara Falls State Park—the first state park in America. The fences came down. The factories were removed. The views were restored. And most importantly, the falls were made free for everyone—forever.
Olmsted helped design the park to look as natural and peaceful as possible. He said nothing should get in the way of the view—not a billboard, not a bench, not even a snack stand.
A Truly American Idea
In many parts of Europe, the most beautiful lands were (and still are) controlled by the wealthy—reserved for aristocrats and off-limits to regular people.
But in the United States, we chose a different path. As shown in Ken Burns’ documentary The National Parks: America’s Best Idea, Americans believed places like Niagara belonged to everyone. We made it law. Niagara became a symbol of public beauty—not private profit.
Hucksters Still Linger
That said, we have to be honest. Some of that old carnival spirit still lingers today. The area around the park has its share of over-the-top attractions, tourist traps, and yes—a few hucksters who’ll still try to sell you something loud, shiny, or overpriced.
At Niagara Tours, we’re part of the tourism world, too—but our mission is different. We believe in telling the story of the falls: how they were saved, why they matter, and what they can teach us about beauty, public space, and American values.
If you’d like us to guide you, we’d be honored. But if you just want to walk the 200 peaceful acres of the park and enjoy the falls on your own—we fully encourage that, too.
We only ask this: remember the fight it took to make this place free. And help us keep it that way—for the next person who comes to stand at the edge and feel the mist rise.
