From the February 2006 issue of Niagara The Visitor Magazine (page 12-13):
Recounting the impressions made upon world-renown celebrities after a visit to Niagara Falls.
Niagara Falls is an experience that touches your very soul. It has captured centre stage from the earliest days of exploration of North America. The Falls always impress, eliciting a wide rage of responses from those who are captivated by their uniqueness. Stories were told by the Indians of a mighty waterfall hidden in the middle of the continent… immense volumes of water frothing over a cliff and crashing with “a mighty roar on the rocks below.” In 1678, the first European to see the Falls, Father Jean-Louis Hennepin, gazed in awe at “the incredible Cataract – a vast and prodigious cadence of water.”
Since that time, people have come from the far corners of the world to marvel at the powerful beauty of Niagara Falls. Visitors are drawn by the magnetic force of the Falls, and are never disappointed. Anyone who has seen the tremendous power and majesty of this great natural wonder has experienced a beauty unparalleled anywhere else in the world. Here are a few of their impressions.
Great Britain’s Winston Churchill driving along the Niagara Parkway
1943“This is the prettiest Sunday afternoon drive in the world.”
Father Jean Louis Hennepin who “discovered the Falls”
1678“This wonderful Downfal, is compounded of two great Cross-streams of Water, and two Falls, with an isle sloping along the middle of it. The Waters which fall from this horrible Precipice, do foam and boyl… making an outrageous Noise, more terrible than that of Thunder.”
Seven year old Roger Woodward who accidentally went over the Canadian Horseshoe Falls wearing only a life jacket and survived!
1960“When I first went into the water above the Falls, I was angry that no one would come and rescue us from the water, then as I got closer to the Falls I feared for my life and my sister Dee. I saw my short life before my eyes. I knew my mother would be angry with me because I hadn’t made my bed and for getting myself in this situation. I was absolutely terrified. However, just before I was to go over the Falls, I felt peace and tranquility. I was not afraid any more. I was content as to what would happen.”
American Writer Mark Twain referring to the Cave of the Winds
1900“You can descend a staircase a hundred and fifty feet down, and stand at the edge of the water. After you have done it, you will wonder why you did it; but you will then be too late.”
John Quincy Adams 6th US President
1843“I have passed through the seventh and nearly half of the eighth decade of life, and yet, until a few days ago, had known of the cataract only by name and the common fame of the historian. But now I have seen it!”
James A. Garfield 20th US President
1853“I gaze upon the broad greenwaters as they come placid and smooth, like firm battalions of embattled hosts, moving in steady columns, till the sloping channel stirs the depths and maddens all the waters.”
Abraham Lincoln 16th US President
1857“The thing that struck me most forcibly when I saw the Falls was where in the world did all the water come from.”
Writer Oscar Wilde
1882“I was disappointed in Niagara – most people must be disappointed in Niagara. Every American bride is taken there, and the sight of the stupendous waterfall must be one of the earliest, if not the keenest disappointments in American married life.”
Musician and Composer Tchaikovsky
1891“I went to bed early. The roaring of the waterfall is very audible in the stillness of the night. I will not try and describe the beauties of the Falls; it is hard to find words for these things.”
Local writer George Bailey to Prince Andrew, then presenting him with Canadian coins with an image of the Queen on them
1987“Would you like to throw your mother in the Falls?”
The Prince smiled and said
“Jolly good, Jolly good.”Famous author Charles Dickens
1842“When I felt how near I was to my Creator I was standing, the first effect and the enduring one – instant and lasting – of the tremendous spectacle of Peace. Peace of mind: Tranquillity: Calm recollections of the Dead: Great thoughts of Eternal rest and Happiness: Nothing of Gloom and Terror. Niagara was at once stamped upon my heart, and Image of Beauty…”
Helen Keller
1893“I wish I could describe the cataract as it is, its beauty and awful grandeur, and the fearful and irresistible plunge of waters over the brow of the precipice. One feels helpless and overwhelmed in the presence of such a vast power.”
Movie star Marilyn Monroe during the filming of the movie “Niagara”
1952“The Falls produce a lot of electricity, but the honeymooners don’t use very much of it at night.”