iWitnessNiagara Poll Results

A Jenss Department Store outing to Olcott Beach, August 1938. From the book, Images of America - Niagara Falls by Daniel M. Dumych. (click photo for larger image)

According to the reader's vote, Jenss on Main Steet is the hands down winner of the extremely scientific (yeah right) blog poll that has been up for a couple months.

Here are the results:

Here are the results for the equally scientific favorite grocery store survey:

Slipko's is the crowd favorite!

Do you have any reader poll suggestions? If so, please email StenzTV and we'll post your ideas! Stay tuned for future stories of interest and other general nonsense!

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Vintage Third Street

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This photo was taken on Third Street circa 1949. Interesting to see the United Building in the background and its grand sign.

Photo courtesy of the Niagara Falls Library's Local History Department

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1900 Holiday on Falls and Prospect Streets

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This photo was taken in 1900 - found in the Niagara Falls Public Library's Local History Department - marking on back of photo states that it was taken during a "Gay 1900 Holiday."


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Main Post Office - 1887

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This photo was taken in 1887 at the Main Post Office in the Arcade Building on Falls Street... the post office then moved to its current location in the Federal Building on Main Street in 1908. Take a look up at the people in the window... very cool.

Photos courtesy of the Niagara Falls Public Library's Local History Department.


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Introducing GooglePothole

If you have ever used Google Earth or Google Maps, you might be familiar with the bird's eye view satellite images... you can zoom right in on a city or street and find out driving directions, terrain, structures, etc.. well, now they've just released GOOGLE-POTHOLE, an amazing new application of Google's satellite technology - giving drivers a head's up of the worst road conditions in the United States for drivers to avoid.


I focused on the worst part I drive daily - the stretch of Pine Avenue between Hyde Park and Packard. Potholes are depicted with red markings:


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You can see the red markings indicate each and every pothole along this small stretch of road - causing tire blow-outs and shock absorber explosions by the dozens. Here is an even closer look of the area right around the corner where Pine meets Hyde Park:


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How accurate is their technology? Try it yourself by clicking here: GooglePothole




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THE BOOK CORNER

"A Beacon of Light in the Fall of the Blight" - NY Times 4/4/01

The oldest, largest independent bookstore in Western New York, The Book Corner has been a Niagara Falls institution since 1927. Established by Marie Fleming, The Book Corner was positioned in a corner of The Anne, A Quaint Shop located in the motor ramp on First Street in Niagara Falls.

The store has moved and expanded over the years until now it encompasses three floors and 10,000 square feet on Main Street. In the continuing quest to serve customers from near and far, The Book Corner has launched this web page.
Or check out the following: MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/bookcorner

Visit today... spend some time, spend some money and enjoy the Book Corner!

The Great Gorge Route

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!

Have any good information or photos on the GREAT GORGE ROUTE that you would like to share? Please email your submissions to stenztv@gmail.com



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