Early Uses

The river near the falls were first used for power by a Frenchman, Chabert Joncaire, Jr., about 1757-1758, who built a loop canal on the river bank a short distance above the falls.   Power probably was provided by a overshot waterwheel under a head of about 6 feet to cut logs on what was the end of Mill Street and now known as First Street, now located on the state reservation opposite the upper end of Goat Island.   This sawmill was repaired and used by John Steadman about 1760, who settled on the bank of the river near the falls on a large tract of land he claimed and received under an Indian agent.   Steadman also occupied and cleared a portion of Goat Island and stocked it with goats, thus giving the island its name.   New York State on April 5, 1789 granted a charter to the Niagara Canal Company to construct a navigation canal beginning at or near Steadman's landing about 2 miles above the falls to a convenient place below the falls at Lewiston, a distance of 7 miles.   The canal was supposed to be completed by January 1, 1809, but was never constructed.   This was the first time the state legislature became involved in the falls. ^{Adams 1-40}

In 1795, the site came under the Porter family.   Augustus Porter visited the falls in 1795 and 1796 in a company of surveyors to explore and survey the Western Reserve in Ohio.   The Porters became large land owners near the falls.   In 1805, Augustus Porter built a sawmill and blacksmith's shop.   In 1806, he moved his family from Canandaigua, New York, to the Steadman house near Fort Schlosser.   In 1807, he built the first grist mill at the falls with two "run of stone" on the site of the Joncaire sawmill.   In 1809, he built a rope walk and tannery and other industries and dwellings followed.   In 1822, Augustus Porter built a large flour mill, which was later sold to Witmer Brothers.   In 1823, Jesse Symonds built a paper mill near Goat Island bridge.   In 1823, the legislature authorized a new company by the same name to build a canal and railroad around the falls, but this again was never constructed.   From 1808 to 1863, several national projects to circumvent the falls were proposed by never adopted.   It may be inferred that building a canal for 6 miles through solid rock was too expensive to pay for itself in canal toll revenues.   The first effort to secure capital for use of the power of the river rapids occured in 1825 when Augustus Porter and Peter Porter issued an "invitation" to Eastern Capitalists and Manufacturers.   This was unsuccessful.   The Porter Brothers between 1800 and 1850 sought to develop the falls power by making known its potential.   They also operated a portage around the rapids and falls and promoted settlement in the area. ^{Adams 41-50,89-90}