Trenton Falls facts for kids
Trenton Falls is a beautiful waterfall located on West Canada Creek in Trenton, New York. It's a great place to explore, with special trails developed by Brookfield Renewable Power and the Town of Trenton.
Exploring the Trails
You can explore Trenton Falls on two main types of trails. The main trail is made of stone dust and leads you to a great spot to see the Trenton Falls Hydro Dam. This dam helps create electricity.
There are also smaller trails made of wood mulch. These trails take you along the edge of the gorge, offering amazing views. Near the dam, you'll find rocks in the water that you can reach by a winding path. This area is popular for swimming, fishing, and taking cool pictures.
Amazing Geology and Fossils
The rocks at Trenton Falls are mostly limestone. This limestone is special because it holds many fossils! Fossils are the preserved remains of ancient plants and animals. Some local people even sell these fossils to visitors.
The fossils found here include:
- Concularia: These were ancient creatures that looked a bit like armored jellyfish.
- Echinoderms: This group includes spiny-skinned animals like starfish and crinoids (which look like sea lilies).
- Cephalopods: These were shelled creatures with tentacles, similar to modern squid.
- Gastropods: These are ancient snails.
- Bryozoans: These are tiny animals that often grow in colonies, looking a bit like moss.
Limestone has been an important resource for the economy of upstate New York for a long time.
A Rich History
The Haudenosaunee people, who lived here long ago, had their own names for the falls. They called it Ka-na-ta-dork, meaning "brown water," or Kuy-a-ho-ra, meaning "slanting water."
The first known non-Native American to see the falls was John Sherman in 1805. With help from Joseph Bonaparte (who was the brother of the famous Napoleon Bonaparte!), a path was made to the falls.
In 1822, John Sherman and Jarvis Phelps bought 60 acres of land. Soon after, Sherman bought out Phelps and started a place called the Rural Resort. By 1825, the resort grew to offer overnight stays for visitors.
An interesting story from the resort's early days involves a tourist named Michael Moore. He fell into the gorge and hurt his leg badly. Maria, John Sherman's daughter, took care of him. In 1831, Michael and Maria got married and took over the resort.
Later, in 1863, an important meeting happened at the Trenton Falls Hotel. The United States Secretary of State, William H. Seward, met with diplomats there.
For about 100 years, the falls were mostly closed to the public. This was because power companies used the water to make electricity. In 1897, the Utica Electric Light & Power Company took over the hotel and land. They built a hydroelectric powerhouse and a dam in 1899. This allowed the city of Utica, New York to get electricity from Trenton Falls starting in 1901.
The old Trenton Falls Hotel building eventually fell apart and was taken down in 1945. Over the years, different power companies owned the hydropower plant, including Niagara Mohawk Power Company, Orion Power, and Reliant Energy. Today, it is owned by Brookfield Power.
Luckily, the trails and parts of Trenton Falls are now open for everyone to enjoy again!
Images for kids
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An advertisement for Moores Hotel from 1876.
