Terrapin Point

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Terrapin Point is an observation area located in Niagara Falls, New York at the southwestern end of Goat Island, next to the Canadian Horseshoe Falls.

Terrapin Point is one of two major observation areas to overlook the Falls and lower Niagara Gorge on the New York side, the other being Prospect Point further downriver.

From 1833 into the mid-1880s, it was the location of a boardwalk and Terrapin Tower, a lighthouse-type structure that was built over the river, just beyond the lip of the Horseshoe Falls. The boardwalk, deemed unsafe, was dismantled by 1887.

While work was being carried out on the dredging of the upper Niagara River in 1953 to spread the flow of water more evenly along the crest of the Horseshoe Falls, dirt and fill from the dredging was taken over to Terrapin Point, increasing its area and affording visitors breathtaking views of the cataract not seen before. This area was closed to tourists in 1969, however, due to cracks being found in the rock foundation.

Terrapint Point was roped off for visitor safety until 1983, when the 25,000 tons of unstable rock was blasted off. The remaining surface was scaled, and reopened to tourists in September 1983.