A Great Gorge Route streetcar passing by "The Sentinel," circa 1898
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For a time, this scenic trip was the most popular attraction at Niagara Falls after the Falls themselves. "No one could have said to have seen Niagara until they have made this trip," reads a tour book from the turn of the last century. Beginning operation in July 1895, the Great Gorge Route would carry 13 million tourists, pleasure-seeking locals, leaders of nations, royalty, and celebrities during the next forty years. - from the book, Images of America - Niagara Falls by Daniel M. Dumych
The round trip from the Gorge Terminal (Formally the International Theater) at the foot of Falls Street the Great Gorge open (in the summer) trolley proceeded along Falls to Second, left along Second Street to Walnut Avenue where it entered the Gorge Route right-of-way and started a decent at about the foot of Pine Avenue to the water's edge.
At Lewiston, the track made a loop near the dock and crossed the old Lewiston bridge to the Queenston dock, then climbed the escarpment, passing Brock's Monument, Niagara Glen and proceeding to Table Rock where it looped back to the Falls View Bridge and across to the starting point at Falls Street.
This round trip could be made in two hours without ever changing cars, although stopovers were permitted at scenic points. The fare was $1.50 including bride tolls. Cars ran every 15 minutes during the summer. - from the book A City is Born, by Hamilton B. Mizer.
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Watch this video created by Christopher George:
To read more about the beginning and the end of THE GREAT GORGE ROUTE, visit this great site and also be sure to visit the Niagara Gorge Discovery Center online here.
Yearnin' for more schoolin'? Be sure to check out this Great Gorge Route page, or maybe even this one while yer at it!
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