Discover how Niagara Falls was protected for the public. This historical account follows the creation of the State Reservation and the enduring fight to preserve a national treasure.
The book chronicles the efforts to safeguard Niagara’s scenery and water from commercial intrusion, detailing the rise of the State Reservation at Niagara and the public battles that shaped its future. It looks at the people, laws, and public debates that kept the Falls as a shared resource and a symbol of public service.
- How public agencies and citizens faced pressures to divert water and develop power at the Falls.
- The role of the State Reservation’s commissioners in defending and managing the site.
- The balance between preserving natural beauty and pursuing economic interests.
- The evolution of park management and the lasting impact on Niagara’s landscape.
Ideal for readers of environmental history and public-lands preservation, this edition offers a focused look at how a national treasure was kept accessible for future generations.