Note that John Brown has graveled in the section between Geneva Street and Slabtown

Note that John Brown has graveled in the section between Geneva Street and Slabtown. This is signed by S.D. Woodruff, Oct. 18, 1855.

Note stating that John Brown has done grading in the section of railway between Geneva Street and Slabtown

Note stating that John Brown has done grading in the section of railway between Geneva Street and Slabtown. This document is signed by S.D. Woodruff, Dec. 12, 1855.

Chart of estimate for work done on the Port Dalhousie and Thorold Railway by John Brown

Chart of estimate for work done on the Port Dalhousie and Thorold Railway by John Brown, contractor regarding the section between Geneva Street and the Thorold Station up to the 30th of June 1856. This document is burned on the edges. This does not affect the text, 1856

Port Dalhousie and Thorold Railway wages paid to John Brown

Port Dalhousie and Thorold Railway wages paid to John Brown (2 pages, handwritten) from Aug. 1855 – May 1856.

Prices of John Brown’s contracts for Port Dalhousie and Thorold Railway from Geneva Street to Thorold Station

Prices of John Brown’s contracts for Port Dalhousie and Thorold Railway from Geneva Street to Thorold Station (1 page, handwritten), n.d.

Voucher from the Engineer Department of Port Dalhousie and Thorold Railway Extension to John Gilleland for supplies. This is accompanied by a note about pine lumber and fencing, Apr. and May, 1857

Voucher from the Engineer Department of Port Dalhousie and Thorold Railway Extension to John Gilleland for supplies. This is accompanied by a note about pine lumber and fencing, Apr. and May, 1857.

Voucher from the Engineer Department of Port Dalhousie and Thorold Railway Extension for W.G. Thompson for the Northern Division. There are attached notes from the Welland Railway Company to John Mitchell for putting up shelves; to William Waud, staff; and to William Martin to repair the office (copy), June 10, 1857

Voucher from the Engineer Department of Port Dalhousie and Thorold Railway Extension for W.G. Thompson for the Northern Division. There are attached notes from the Welland Railway Company to John Mitchell for putting up shelves; to William Waud, staff; and to William Martin to repair the office (copy), June 10, 1857.

Niagara Falls Handbill Collection, 1838-1886, n.d. (non-inclusive)

According to legend, the Burning Springs were discovered by early natives in the Niagara Peninsula. Bridgewater Mills was built on the site of the spring. During the excavation of the factory; workmen uncovered the spring. Samuel Street and Thomas Clark recognized the potential of this as a tourist attraction so they built a wooden shelter over the spring. The spring was covered with a barrel with a pipe protruding from it. This became the first tourist attraction at Niagara. The Cave of the Winds was a cavern located behind the Bridal Veil Fall. It was originally named the Aeolus Cave. In 1920, a sudden rock fall from the ceiling killed 3 tourists. The cave was destroyed in 1955 as it was deemed dangerous. The captain of the Maid of the Mist was usually a farmer who owned the land where the ship docked. In 1846, the first steam powered Maid of the Mist was launched. By 1848, the first suspension bridge was built over the gorge and the main purpose of the Maid of the Mist was no longer to carry people who needed to travel, but now the focus was on people who wanted to view the Falls at close range. Source: http://www.niagarafrontier.com/burningsprings.html http://www.niagarafrontier.com/winds.html http://reservationsystems.com/niagara_daredevils/maid_of_the_mist.html

Unsigned letter to John Williams stating that before the return of the final estimate, the arch of the bridge must be completed

Unsigned letter to John Williams stating that before the return of the final estimate, the arch of the bridge must be completed, Sept. 19, 1857

Chart of estimate #7 of work done by John Williams during the month of May. This is signed by Fred Holmes, May 29, 1856

Chart of estimate #7 of work done by John Williams during the month of May. This is signed by Fred Holmes, May 29, 1856.

Chart of estimate #8 of work done by John Williams during the month of June

Chart of estimate #8 of work done by John Williams during the month of June. This is signed by Fred Holmes, June 1856

Chart of estimate #9 of work done by John Williams for the month of July

Chart of estimate #9 of work done by John Williams for the month of July. This is signed by Fred Holmes, July 30, 1856.

Chart of estimate #10 of work done by John Williams

Chart of estimate #10 of work done by John Williams. Aug. 1856.

Chart of estimate #11 of work done by John Williams

Chart of estimate #11 of work done by John Williams. This is signed by Fred Holmes, Sept. 1856.

Chart of estimate #12 of work done by John Williams

Chart of estimate #12 of work done by John Williams. This is signed by Fred Holmes, Oct. 1856.