Comments on: Friday’s from the historical archive: 1800’s photos from “The Road of the Century”

By: Peter

Peter — Tue, 13 Jul 2010 06:11:12 +0000

The illustration shows a Michigan Central passenger train stopped at Falls View Station just west of Horseshoe Falls. I believe the artist was commissioned by the railroad to produce this image, which was accurate for its time. I have seen an ad in an old MC – NYC timetable that offered framed reproductions for sale.
From 1872 until 1925, it was the railroad’s policy that all daylight passenger trains on this route would make a 5 – 10-minute stop at Falls View (also known as Inspiration Point) so that passengers could get out and see the Falls from a spectacular elevation. Falls View was not a ticketed destination, nor was it a departure point for passengers to board a train, so that the Station grounds may have been rather exclusive. The Michigan Central Railroad advertised itself as “The Niagara Falls Route”.
Falls View Station was torn down in 1926. Subsequent re-grading of the area’s topography transformed a once-accurate image into a purely historical document. The MC right-of-way through Niagara Falls (and Southern Ontario) is now mostly gone, with the exception of two significant “bookends”:
The Michigan Central Steel-Arch Bridge still extends across the Niagara River Gorge north of the Falls. Completed in 1925, it is now abandoned and rusting away.
Michigan Central sent its first train through the Detroit River Tunnel between Windsor, Ontario and Detroit, Michigan in July, 1910. The tunnel, now owned by Canadian Pacific Railroad, is 100 years old and still in service. The western approach to the tunnel curves past Detroit’s abandoned but still-incredible Michigan Central Terminal (1913).

By: Emily

Emily — Tue, 18 May 2010 20:13:25 +0000

In reply to Norm. Correction: it does appear to be an illustration. Your comment made me think that when I am up by Niagara I should check if there are any rail museums. I found the Niagara Falls Railway Museum, and to my surprise on the front page was that same image in question (from a postcard), except in color. They say of the image, "This particular example portrays the Horseshoe Falls, the American Falls, a Maid of the Mist boat and a steam powered Michigan Central freight train stopped at Fallsview." The postcard in their collection has a mail date of July 23, 1941.

By: Emily

Emily — Tue, 18 May 2010 19:11:00 +0000

In reply to Norm. I do believe that is a photo and not an artist's rendition. You are an astute observer to note that it looks to be on the Canadian side. (I still haven't been to Niagara yet, going next month though!) The Canada Southern in southern Ontario (and Niagara) was leased to the Michigan Central, and later the New York Central, so the facts seem to support your observation. :D

By: Norm

Norm — Tue, 18 May 2010 19:00:22 +0000

Great work here. One question about the photos. The Michigan Central train passing by Niagara Falls. It looks like it is on the Canadian side of the Falls. Was it really there…or is this just an artist’s rendition?

By: Tasha

Tasha — Sun, 09 May 2010 06:48:26 +0000

Awesome photos! I love it.