Table Rock Center

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Table Rock Center is a retail and observation complex located in Niagara Falls, Ontario opposite the tip of the Canadian Horseshoe Falls.

As of the spring of 2007, the retail complex is comprised of two buildings: the north building, constructed in 1926, houses a first-floor retail store; with a specialty store, currency exchange, and outdoor observation plaza on the second floor. The first floor also houses the ticket offices for the Journey Behind the Falls attraction.

The south building, constructed in 1974, has a first-floor fast food snack bar, additional retail space, and a second-floor, semi-formal restaurant overlooking the Horseshoe Falls and the upper Niagara River. The buildings are connected by an enclosed pedestrian area.

Beginning in May 2007, the complex will undergo a $32 million facelift that will result in an expanded retail area, wheelchair-accessible upgrades to the second floor area, a pedestrian bridge connecting the complex with the Falls Incline Railway and Fallsview Tourist Area, and the creation of additional manicured parkland west of the building.[1]

Contents

[edit] History

[edit] Before the Niagara Parks Commission: 1827-1887

The first building on the site was constructed in 1827, when Thomas Barnett established his first museum of novelties. Having constructed a second museum further downriver in the 1840s, he was met with stiff competition from Buffalo native Saul Davis, who built a structure called Table Rock House in 1853, immediately south of Barnett's original structure.

Competition for the tourist's attention and dollar were fierce. Davis had built his structure between Barnett's museum and the Table Rock viewing area, and thus was able to intercept any potential customer of Barnett's. Davis' employees were routinely referred to as "henchmen" who would lure visitors into his complex by promising them free access to the Falls, only to renege and charge outrageous fees, while physically challenging any victimized tourist who either refused or were unable to pay these charges.[1] One such incident in June 1870 resulted in a homicide, for which Davis was acquitted and Barnett reprimanded for. [2]

Even though victimized by Davis many times, Barnett did not resort to overcharging tourists or being disrespectful toward them. However, it was Barnett who ended up with financial difficulties. His riverfront property was auctioned off in 1877 to satisfy debts. Davis purchased Barnett's properties and continued to run the operation until the Niagara Parks Commission and Queen Victoria Park were established under a Provincial Act in 1887.[3]

[edit] Under Commission jurisdiction: 1887 - present

Since the 1840s, there had been a series of stairways leading from the complex to the river level where tourists could descend and walk right next to the foot of the Horseshoe Falls, dubbed Behind The Sheet. These stairs were replaced in 1889 with a hydraulic lift, and by 1905, tunnels were cut inside the rock, establishing the forerunner of the Journey Behind the Falls attraction.

Davis' Table Rock House, standing since 1853, was in disrepair and was finally demolished in 1925 to make way for a new road and replacement building. Designed by the firm of Findlay and Foulis of Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario, [4] this building is still in service today, albeit with major modifications since that time.

After World War II, the tunnels were relined with concrete and in 1951, an observation platform was constructed just north of the Horseshoe Falls. The attraction, now called the Scenic Tunnels, continued to draw increased tourist traffic; so much so that in 1963, extensive renovations were made to Table Rock House.

Modifications included the addition of the second floor observation plaza, and a planned "permanent" exhibit of replicas of the Royal Crown Jewels of Britain. This exhibit lasted until 1973 when, citing lack of visitors, it was removed. By this time, the Niagara Parkway was re-routed to the west end of the building, creating a pedestrian environment between Table Rock House and the Horseshoe Falls.[5]

In 1974, the building known as Table Rock South or the annex, was constructed to expand retail space, including a second-floor, first-class restaurant. At first, the buildings were free-standing, but a massive reconstruction project in 1992-93 enclosed the area between the two buildings, while allowing for the complete renovation of the first-floor gift shop in the 1926 building.[6]

The Scenic Tunnels attraction was renamed Journey Behind the Falls in the mid-1990s. Recently renamed Table Rock Center, the site continues to be a top draw for visitors and a top money-maker for the Niagara Parks Commission. The current (2007) plan to renovate the area and increase its size should be realized by the 2009 tourist season.

Niagara's new thrill attraction on the brink of the Falls, Niagara's Fury is set to open 2008 at Table Rock. [7]

[edit] References

  1. ^ Seibel, George A.: "Ontario's Niagara Parks", pp. 15-17. Niagara Parks Commission, 1995
  2. ^ Seibel, George A.: "Ontario's Niagara Parks", pp. 20-21. Niagara Parks Commission, 1995
  3. ^ Berton, Pierre: "Niagara: A History Of The Falls", p. 172. McClelland & Stewart, Inc., 1992
  4. ^ Seibel, George A.: "Ontario's Niagara Parks", p. 86. Niagara Parks Commission, 1995
  5. ^ Seibel, George A.: "Ontario's Niagara Parks", p. 90. Niagara Parks Commission, 1995
  6. ^ Seibel, George A.: "Ontario's Niagara Parks", p. 92. Niagara Parks Commission, 1995
  7. ^ Niagara's Fury. Niagara Parks Commission. Retrieved on Feb 23, 2008.