Niagara County Park facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Niagara County Park |
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 Niagara County Park
Location in the United States
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| Location | Oregon, U.S. |
| Nearest city | Salem |
| Area | 60 acres (0.24 km2) |
| Established | 1961 |
| Governing body | Marion County Public Works |
Niagara County Park is a cool park in Oregon, USA. You can find it about 40 miles (64 km) east of Salem, right on the North Santiam River. It's a great place to explore! The park keeps safe the old parts of a stone dam and lots of native plants. You can walk on trails like Powder House, Fern Glen, and Wildflower Loop.
Park History
The area got its name in September 1890. This was when a new town area was planned. Soon after, the Niagara post office opened in October of that same year.
The Old Dam Project
In the late 1890s, people started building a dam made of stone. The idea was to use the dam's power for a mill. This mill would make paper from straw. The river flowed through a very narrow spot, only about 4.25 feet (1.3 meters) wide.
Building the dam was very hard. Because of these problems, the paper mill project was stopped. People kept trying to develop hydroelectric power there. But floods and erosion caused more issues. The project was finally given up in 1912. By then, about $100,000 had been spent.
Niagara Town Life
At the start of the 1900s, Niagara was a small but busy place. It had a big store, a hotel, many homes, and a tavern. For a short time, it was famous for having the smallest post office in the United States. This tiny post office was only 6 feet by 8 feet! The post office closed down on June 14, 1934.
Park Geography
Niagara County Park is in an interesting spot. It marks where the narrow river canyon changes into a wider valley. Upstream from the park, the canyon is very tight. This is where the Big Cliff and Detroit Dams are located.
Downstream, the valley becomes wider. Here, you can find small villages and farms. The land just north of the park is owned by private citizens. The land to the south of the park is managed by the Oregon State Board of Forestry.
