Cataract House facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Cataract House |
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Cataract House from Goat Island, Niagara, N.Y.
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| General information | |
| Status | Demolished |
| Type | Hotel |
| Architectural style | American colonial architecture |
| Location | Old Main Street at Riverway. |
| Coordinates | 43°05′02″N 79°03′48″W / 43.083795°N 79.063215°W |
| Completed | 1860 |
| Opening | 1825 |
| Owner | Various: David Chapman 1825–1835; Parkhurst Whitney 1835–1846; Solon Whitney, Dexter R. Jerauld and James F. Trott (under Whitney, Jerauld, and Company) 1846–1891; Peter A. Porter 1891–1909; John F. MacDonald 1909–1937; Union Trust Company 1937–1945; Eagle Tavern Corporation 1945 |
| Technical details | |
| Floor count | 5 |
| Design and construction | |
| Architect | Walter Williams (master builder for 1845 additions) |
The Cataract House was a very important hotel in Niagara Falls, New York. It was built in 1825 and stood for over 100 years. The hotel was a major stop on the Underground Railroad, helping many people find freedom. It was also the biggest hotel in Niagara Falls. Its name came from the powerful waterfall right next to it.
History of the Cataract House
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The Cataract House Hotel was built in 1825 by its first owner, David Chapman. It was located right on the bank of the Niagara River. The land where the hotel stood is now part of Heritage Park.
In 1831, a man named Parkhurst Whitney bought the hotel. He managed it for many years. Later, he leased the hotel to a company run by his son, Solon Whitney, and his sons-in-law, James Fullerton Trott and Dexter Ray Jerauld.
After Parkhurst Whitney passed away in 1862, his son Solon owned the hotel until 1891. Then, it was sold to Peter A. Porter. He was a U.S. Representative for a short time. The Porter family sold the hotel to John McDonald in 1909, who owned it until 1945.
The Cataract House became known as "the most elegant and popular hotel" on the American side of Niagara Falls. Many famous people stayed there. These included:
- Abraham Lincoln, who later became president.
- Jenny Lind, a famous singer.
- Horace Greeley, a well-known newspaper editor.
- William H. Seward, a politician who served as Secretary of State.
- Franklin D. Roosevelt, another future president.
- King Edward VII of the United Kingdom, when he was still a prince.
- King George V of the United Kingdom, who visited in 1939.
The hotel grew to take up an entire city block. Sadly, it was destroyed by a big fire in 1945. Today, the area where the hotel once stood is Heritage Park. It is a place where people can access the Niagara Falls State Park.
The Cataract House and the Underground Railroad
The Cataract House played a very important role in the Underground Railroad. This was a secret network that helped enslaved people escape to freedom. The hotel had an all African-American wait staff. These brave workers secretly helped many formerly enslaved people find their way to Canada, where they could be free.
In 2018, a model of the hotel was built. You can see it at the Niagara Falls Underground Railroad Heritage Center. This model helps show how important the Cataract House was to the Underground Railroad and to the history of Niagara Falls.
Images for kids
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Rapids and Cataract House, 1844–1894
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North wing of Cataract House, 1844–1894
