State Reservation

The first record of "the rapidly approaching ruin of the characteristic scenery of Niagara", was in 1869, when Frederick E. Church, the reknown American artist, mentioned it to Frederick Law Olmsted, the famous American landscape architect.   The number of businesses above and below the falls had increased considerably since the Schoellkopf purchase of the canal in 1877.   In 1879, eminent American leaders in several fields presented an appeal to the Governor of New York and the Governor-General of Canada to preserve the falls.   On the recommendation of the State Survey Board, a bill was introduced in the legislature to authorize the selection of lands for state reservation in the village of Niagara Falls, but action on it was delayed.   Education of the public was followed by the bill becoming law on April 30, 1883.   The commissioners appointed under this law selected a tract of 112 acres and 300 acres under water as a state park.   The park was appraised and $1,433,429 was awarded to the property owners, who had asked for $4,000,000.   The park reservation became law in 1885.   It was opened formally on July 15, 1885. ^{Adams 101-106}

The establishment of the state reservation restricted power development and greatly increased the difficulties and expense of increasing it.   Power increases must be made outside the reservation.   Water diversion must be made 1 mile above the falls and returned to the river below the falls.   Also, buildings near the park were designed to blend with the park environment.   Interestingly, tourists visited the power plants as well as the park. ^{Adams 108}