Article #6 in the series “Ontario’s Lost Electric Railways” will take a look at Niagara Falls. This will include photos of the Niagara Falls Park & River Railway and the Niagara, St. Catharines & Toronto Railway.
Before we get to the age of electric railways, here’s a brief history of the dawn of public transit in Niagara Falls:
Niagara Falls, Wesley Park & Clifton Tramway Company
In 1886 the Niagara Falls, Wesley Park & Clifton Tramway Company opened a horse-drawn streetcar (horsecar) line from Main St. & Culp St. to Bridge St. & River Rd. The company was never very successful; in later years it suffered from being an archaic horsecar line in a very electricity-conscious city. In 1899 the NS&T acquired Niagara Falls’ horsecar line and electrified it by 1900.
![](https://hcry.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/niagarafalls-NFWPChorsecar-600x428.jpg)
Niagara Falls horsecar at Kick’s Hotel, 136 (now 5951) Main Street. This photo is from the Niagara Falls Public Library.
This was the second last horsecar line in Canada when it was electrified while Sarnia’s horsecars were the last to go.
![](https://hcry.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/niagara-note-transit_fixed-600x408.jpg)
Wide-shot of a Niagara Falls horsecar at Kick’s Hotel, 136 Main Street. This photo is from the Niagara Falls Public Library.
Kick’s Hotel was opened in 1860 and burned down in 1920, being replaced by a theatre. This theatre was known throughout the years as the Webb Theatre, the Hollywood Theatre, and finally the Princess Theatre. The building was then changed to the Serbian Cultural Centre and has since been torn down for a parkette and walkway connecting the Farmers’ Market area and Main Street.
![](https://hcry.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/MainFerry_TrevorPS_apr10_2022-600x404.jpg)
There is currently a new development being constructed on this site. April 10th, 2022 photo by Museum Volunteer Trevor Parkins-Sciberras.
Learn more about Niagara Falls’ early hotels here.
The Niagara Falls Park & River Railway
opened for passenger service on May 24th, 1893 from Chippewa through Niagara Falls to Queenston.
![](https://hcry.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/NFPRR3_2-600x371.jpg)
Early NFP&RR open car #16 during the 1890s. This photo taken was along along the Niagara River south of the falls on the Chippewa route.
![](https://hcry.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/1895_NiagaraFalls_clifton_fixed-600x389.jpg)
NFPRR open car at Clifton Hill in 1895. The old building to the left was the station for the Clifton Incline, which opened in 1894. The incline was renamed to the Maid of the Mist Incline in 1973, and continued to operate until it was shut down in 1990. The old incline sat abandoned for almost 30 years until it was re-opened as the Hornblower Niagara Funicular in 2019.
![](https://hcry.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/94991-512441-600x442.jpg)
Table Rock Loop, facing southwest towards the NFP&RR Powerhouse, which opened in 1892. This was located where the Table Rock bus stop is now on the Niagara Parkway.
![](https://hcry.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/TableRockLoop_apr10_2022-600x378.jpg)
Same spot as the Park & River Railway’s Table Rock Loop and Powerhouse, now occupied by a bus loop for WEGO Visitor Transportation System. Apr. 10th, 2022 photo by Trevor P.S.
The NFP&R was acquired by the Buffalo Railway Company in 1899 which was purchased by the International Railway Company in 1902. This merged many railways including the NFP&R with the Great Gorge Route and created the “Niagara Gorge Belt Line.”
![](https://hcry.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/car38_facebook-600x467.jpg)
NFP&RR trestle at the Bowman Ravine, overlooking the whirlpool rapids, circa 1900. This photo is from Library & Archives Canada.
![](https://hcry.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/BowmansRavine_trestle_northeastabutment_apr11_2022-600x460.jpg)
All 4 trestle abutments are still visible to this day. The northeast abutment seen in the 1900 photo is now hidden in the bushes on the hill side. Apr. 11th, 2022 photo by Trevor P.S.
There are more remnants of this lost railway further north in Queenston, but we’ll cover those in a separate article!
![](https://hcry.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/International-Railway-Company-Great-Gorge-Route-through-Queen-Victoria-Park-600x448.jpeg)
International Railway Company streetcar line-up in Queen Victoria Park. This photo is from the Niagara Falls Public Library.
![](https://hcry.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/RiverRoad_TowerInn_c1928_AlPattersonCollection-600x424.jpg)
Great Gorge car on River Rd. at the Tower Inn Terminal circa 1928. This photo was from the Al Patterson Collection and scanned from John Mill’s NS&T book.
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Old Park & River Railway car barns west side of River Road by the Whirlpool Rapids. The Super 8 by Wyndham Motel is now located just southeast of where this streetcar yard once was. This photo was taken in September of 1932 and is now in the archives of the Niagara Falls Public Library.
![](https://hcry.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/ParkRiverCarbarns_NiagaraParkway_apr10_2022-600x362.jpg)
Same spot as the long-gone Park & River Railway carbarns, on the westside of the Niagara Parkway just north of the Super 8 Motel. Apr. 10th, 2022.
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Facing north. Photo is from the Niagara Falls Public Library. To the left you can see the Ontario Power Plant Overflow Building and Surge Tank in Queen Victoria Park, built 1906.
![](https://hcry.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/International-Railway-Co.-Great-Gorge-Route-view-of-Table-Rock-looking-south_fixed-600x420.jpg)
Last day of service on the Belt Line, September 11th, 1932. This photo is from the Niagara Falls Library.
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Last day of service, September 11th, 1932. This photo was taken facing north to Victoria Park, and is now in the Niagara Railway Museum Collection.
The Niagara Falls Belt Line ended service on the Canadian side (Park & River Division) on September 11th, 1932, and the remaining American side (Great Gorge Division) ended service in 1935.
Niagara St. Catharines & Toronto Railway
The NS&T was created in 1899 and acquired Niagara Falls’ horsecar line that year.
By 1900 the NS&T had electric streetcars operating on the “Niagara Falls Local Line.”
![](https://hcry.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/QueenErie_1910_NSTbook-600x300.jpg)
Queen St. at Erie St., facing west in 1910. This photo was scanned from John Mill’s book “The Niagara, St. Catharines & Toronto Railway.”
![](https://hcry.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/1926-600x454.jpeg)
Brand new NS&T streetcar #303 on Lundy’s Lane in 1926. Built as a part of a 12-car order (301-312) in 1925. The cars were shipped in pieces from Cincinnati to the NS&T who assembled them.
![](https://hcry.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/BridgeErie_1938_AlPattersonCollection-600x346.jpg)
NS&T streetcar turning south from Bridge St. on to Erie St. in 1938. This photo is from the Al Patterson Collection.
TOWER INN TERMINAL
Once called the world’s most beautiful electric railway station, the Tower Inn Terminal opened in July of 1928 and featured an observation tower that overlooked the falls.
![](https://hcry.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/Oneof2carsusedinshuttleserviceoverFallsViewBridge_1929-1932_H.E.BattelCollection_TowerInn_c1930-600x460.jpg)
Tower Inn Terminal, circa 1930. This photo is from the H.E. Battel Collection and scanned from John Mills’ NS&T book.
![](https://hcry.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/DSC_0114_apr9_2022-600x399.jpg)
About the same spot as there the NS&T interurbans were once parked, but 1 story-up from track level. Apr. 9th, 2022.
Despite being less than 14 years old, the Tower Inn Terminal was shut down on September 27th, 1940, and demolished shortly after. This was done at the demands of the Ontario Highway Authorities who at the time were in engaged with the construction of the Queen Elizabeth Way and wanted the space for the new highway. This lost electric railway station would have been located where the Niagara Parkway is today, near the Rainbow Bridge.
![](https://hcry.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/NSCT-309-Niagara-Falls-Ont.-6-46-Richard-T.-Loane-N229_VictoriaBender-600x359.jpg)
NS&T streetcar #309 heading northbound on Victoria Ave. at Hunter St. in June of 1946. This photo was taken by Richard T. Loane and is now in the collection of Walter Keevil.
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NS&T interurbans #132 and #135 on Victoria Ave. at Queen St. in June of 1946. This photo was taken by Richard T. Loane and is now in the collection of Walter Keevil.
![](https://hcry.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/VictoriaQueen_apr9_2022-600x342.jpg)
The same spot facing north on Victoria Ave. to Queen St., April 9th, 2022. Niagara Falls Transit buses now use Valley Way to turn between Queen St. and Victoria Ave.
![](https://hcry.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/PortageLivingston_july20_1946_JohnF.Humiston-600x281.jpg)
Fallsview Blvd. and Livingstone St., July 20th 1946. Photo taken by John F. Huminston, scanned from John Mill’s book “The Niagara, St. Catharines & Toronto Railway.”
![](https://hcry.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/PortageLivingston_july20_1946_JackKnowles-600x303.jpg)
Facing east on Livingstone St. to Fallsview Blvd., July 20th, 1946. Jack Knowles photo, scanned from John Mill’s book “The Niagara, St. Catharines & Toronto Railway.”
![](https://hcry.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/BridgeSt.RiverRd_july20_1946_JohnF.Humiston-600x348.jpg)
Bridge St. at River Rd., July 20th 1946. John F. Huminston, scanned from John Mill’s book “The Niagara, St. Catharines & Toronto Railway.”
![](https://hcry.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/Erie-and-Queen-in-Niagara-Falls_NRHS-excursion_September-1-1946_PeterWarwickCollect-600x411.jpg)
NRHS fan trip on September 1st, 1946. This photo was taken on Queen St. at Erie St. and is now in the collection of Peter Warwick.
![](https://hcry.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/Erie-and-Queen-in-Niagara-Falls_NRHS-excursion_September-1-1946_PeterWarwickCollect2-600x402.jpg)
Another shot of the NRHS fan trip on September 1st, 1946. This photo was taken on Queen St. at Erie St. and is now in the collection of Peter Warwick.
![](https://hcry.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/NiagaraFalls_BridgeSt._1940s-600x415.jpg)
Bridge St. facing east towards River Rd., circa 1947. From the collection of Museum Volunteer Trevor Parkins-Sciberras.
In 1947 the NS&T ended interurban service to Niagara Falls as well as the local streetcar line.
![](https://hcry.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/Removing_NSTracksJune-3-1948-Niagara-FallsLibrary-600x431.jpg)
Removing NS&T streetcar tracks from Bridge St., June 3rd 1948. Photo from the Niagara Falls Public Library.
![](https://hcry.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/Removing_NSTracksJune-3-1948-Niagara-FallsLibrary2-600x455.jpeg)
Removing NS&T streetcar tracks from Bridge St., June 3rd 1948. Photo from the Niagara Falls Public Library.
Unfortunately, our museum was unable to preserve any passenger equipment from the NS&T. There was interest in saving NS&T car #83 at the time of its retirement in 1959, but our museum was in its infancy and scrap values we high, so it was not saved. However, we did manage to save Oshawa Railway line car #45, which was built by the NS&T in 1925.
Today there are some former NS&T tracks on the right-of-way between Stanley Ave. and the Hydro Canal. After the NS&T ended service to Niagara Falls in 1947, these rails were used by CN until the 1980s.
The tracks that ran west to the bridge over the Hydro Canal are now cut off by a fence. The bridge can be seen from the Paisley Janvary-Pool Pathway on the west side of the canal.
You can learn all about the electric railway equipment that our museum has lovingly preserved by clicking here.
Please stay tuned for more articles in this series on Ontario’s lost electric railways. You can follow our museum at Facebook and Instagram where photographs like this are posted daily!
Hi, great work. I would be interested in collaborating to include some of this work in a project I’m working on related to the NS&T. if this interests any one, feel free to get in contact I’d appreciate it!
Hey there, we appreciate your comment! We could possibly help with your project about the NS&T. Please let us know what you need. 🙂