In the upper river, within view of Niagara Falls, is a large structure that looks like half a bridge. This is the international control dam. Since 1954, it regulates how much water goes over Niagara Falls and how much is diverted beforehand for hydro-electric power.

The area was originally known as “The Burning Springs”. By 1820, it was already a tourist attraction, but not because of Niagara Falls. There was a small natural gas emission coming from the ground. The owner of the land, M.J. Conklin, has placed a pipe with a cork stopper over the leak.

The Cave of the Winds was a natural cave behind Bridal Veil Falls at the American Niagara Falls that was 130 feet (40m) high, 100 feet (30m) wide and 30 feet (9m) deep. Discovered in 1834, guided tours of the cave began officially in 1841.

Queen Victoria Park was established by the Provincial Park Act in 1885 and opened to the public on May 24, 1888; the birthday of Queen Victoria. The park is operated by the Niagara Parks Commission and is considered the centerpiece of the Niagara Falls tourist area.

In the early 1800’s rowboats were used as ferries to cross the Niagara River below the Falls. In 1846, the first Maid of the Mist steamboat, a side-wheel steamboat ferry with twin smokestacks , was launched, with the idea to turn a profit by transporting people, luggage, mail and cargo.