Terrapin Point
Encyclopedia
Terrapin Point is an observation area located in Niagara Falls, New York
at the northwestern corner of Goat Island
, next to the Canadian Horseshoe Falls
. It is one of two major observation areas to overlook the falls and lower Niagara Gorge on the New York
side, the other being Prospect Point
further downriver.
Before the second half of the 20th century Terrapin Point was a group of rocks on the brink of the falls, disconnected from Goat Island. They were known as the Terrapin Rocks because they resembled giant tortoises.
From 1833 into the mid-1880s, Terrapin Rocks was the location of a boardwalk and Terrapin Tower, a lighthouse-type structure that was built over the river, just beyond the lip of the Horseshoe Falls. A series of footbridges connected the boardwalk and tower with Goat Island. The boardwalk, deemed unsafe, was dismantled by 1887.
While work was being carried out on the dredging of the upper Niagara River
in 1953 to spread the flow of water more evenly along the crest of the Horseshoe Falls, dirt and fill from the dredging was taken over to Terrapin Point, increasing its area and affording visitors views of the cataract not seen before. This area was closed to tourists in 1969, however, due to cracks being found in the rock foundation.
Terrapin Point was roped off for visitor safety until 1983, when the United States Army Corps of Engineers
blasted away 25,000 tons of unstable rock, added more landfill, and built diversion dams and retaining walls to force the water away from Terrapin Point. Altogether 400 feet (121.9 m) of the Horseshoe Falls was eliminated, including 100 feet (30.5 m) on the Canadian side. According to author Ginger Strand, the Horseshoe Falls is now entirely in Canada. Other sources say "most of" Horseshoe Falls is in Canada.
The remaining surface was scaled, and reopened to tourists in September 1983.
Niagara Falls, New York
Niagara Falls is a city in Niagara County, New York, United States. As of the 2010 census, the city had a total population of 50,193, down from the 55,593 recorded in the 2000 census. It is across the Niagara River from Niagara Falls, Ontario , both named after the famed Niagara Falls which they...
at the northwestern corner of Goat Island
Goat Island (New York)
Goat Island is a small island in the Niagara River, located in the middle of Niagara Falls between the Bridal Veil Falls and the Horseshoe Falls...
, next to the Canadian Horseshoe Falls
Horseshoe Falls
The Horseshoe Falls, also known as the Canadian Falls, is part of Niagara Falls, on the Niagara River. Approximately 90% of the Niagara River, after diversions for hydropower generation, flows over Horseshoe Falls. The remaining 10% flows over the American Falls...
. It is one of two major observation areas to overlook the falls and lower Niagara Gorge on the New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
side, the other being Prospect Point
Prospect Point Park observation tower
The Prospect Point Park Observation tower is located in Niagara Falls, New York, USA and just east of the American Falls.The tower stands at 282 feet with the base at the gorge level and visitors entering at the ground level from Prospect Point Park. It sees eight million visitors annually.The...
further downriver.
Before the second half of the 20th century Terrapin Point was a group of rocks on the brink of the falls, disconnected from Goat Island. They were known as the Terrapin Rocks because they resembled giant tortoises.
From 1833 into the mid-1880s, Terrapin Rocks was the location of a boardwalk and Terrapin Tower, a lighthouse-type structure that was built over the river, just beyond the lip of the Horseshoe Falls. A series of footbridges connected the boardwalk and tower with Goat Island. The boardwalk, deemed unsafe, was dismantled by 1887.
While work was being carried out on the dredging of the upper Niagara River
Niagara River
The Niagara River flows north from Lake Erie to Lake Ontario. It forms part of the border between the Province of Ontario in Canada and New York State in the United States. There are differing theories as to the origin of the name of the river...
in 1953 to spread the flow of water more evenly along the crest of the Horseshoe Falls, dirt and fill from the dredging was taken over to Terrapin Point, increasing its area and affording visitors views of the cataract not seen before. This area was closed to tourists in 1969, however, due to cracks being found in the rock foundation.
Terrapin Point was roped off for visitor safety until 1983, when the United States Army Corps of Engineers
United States Army Corps of Engineers
The United States Army Corps of Engineers is a federal agency and a major Army command made up of some 38,000 civilian and military personnel, making it the world's largest public engineering, design and construction management agency...
blasted away 25,000 tons of unstable rock, added more landfill, and built diversion dams and retaining walls to force the water away from Terrapin Point. Altogether 400 feet (121.9 m) of the Horseshoe Falls was eliminated, including 100 feet (30.5 m) on the Canadian side. According to author Ginger Strand, the Horseshoe Falls is now entirely in Canada. Other sources say "most of" Horseshoe Falls is in Canada.
The remaining surface was scaled, and reopened to tourists in September 1983.