New York is a city known for its fast-paced lifestyle. If you’re planning to visit, step away from the skyscrapers for a moment, and you’ll discover a completely different side of New York. Learn more on new-york.name.
The city has incredible natural wonders that few people know about. For example, the Cave of the Winds is a unique natural and tourist attraction located at the heart of Niagara Falls. This incredible place lets tourists get up close to one of the world’s greatest natural wonders, feeling the raw power of the elements. The Cave of the Winds is truly impressive in its might; here you can reconnect with nature and see incredible beauty with your own eyes.
Where Is the Cave of the Winds?
The Cave of the Winds is on the American side of the famous Niagara Falls, in New York. This attraction is located at the base of Bridal Veil Falls, one of the three main waterfalls in the Niagara complex.
The History of the Cave of the Winds
In 1834, the Cave of the Winds was officially discovered by Joseph Ingraham. Ingraham was the author of one of the first guidebooks to Niagara Falls, and it’s said that he spotted the cave from the top of the gorge.
While Ingraham was the first to discover the cave, he wasn’t the first to venture inside. That honor went to Barry Hill White and George Sims. White and Sims named the cave after the Greek god of the winds, Aeolus. However, Ingraham disregarded the name and later renamed it the Cave of the Winds.
At the time of its discovery, the cave was 130 feet high, 100 feet wide, and 100 feet deep. In the early days of visiting the cave, you could only access it by descending a ladder or a rope into the gorge. From there, visitors had to walk in dangerous conditions to get as close as possible to the cave.
Despite the danger of visiting the Cave of the Winds, tourists continued to arrive in large groups. Noticing that the cave could be profitable, efforts began in 1829 to turn the area into a safer and more lucrative attraction.
First, they built stairs that led from the island down to the cave. The stairs had small observation platforms from which you could enjoy picturesque views of the waterfall.
By 1841, official tours of the cave were being offered to visitors.
The Dangers of the Early Cave Tours
New York was still eager to make money from the cave, so they approved the tours right away, but many details were overlooked. As a result, many unfortunate accidents occurred during the first trips into the cave.
The first tragedy happened in 1857. A group of tourists on a cave tour was seriously injured by a rockfall. Among the injured was George Parsons, a tourist from Cleveland, who suffered a skull fracture. Fortunately, there were no fatalities, but the rockfall served as a reminder that the cave was not safe for tourists.
Until 1879, the Cave of the Winds was operated as an attraction by brothers Augustus and Peter Porter. The Porter brothers started charging $1 per visitor.
The next tragedy to befall visitors to the Cave of the Winds occurred in September 1920. Another rockfall happened inside the cave. Unfortunately, the collapse resulted in the deaths of three tourists, and many others were injured.
Despite the tragedies, the tours never stopped for a moment; instead, the cave continued to be developed as an attraction to make money.
By the 20th century, rockfalls in the cave became more frequent, so tourist tours were finally stopped.
The depth of the cave decreased to 30 feet. In 1954, a massive rockfall almost completely destroyed the cave, leaving a dangerous overhang of “unstable” rock.
In 1955, on the advice of a number of engineers, a decision was made to demolish what was left of the cave with dynamite. Although the cave was no longer there, the area remained an important and popular attraction.
The Cave in the 21st Century
The Cave of the Winds now boasts a number of attractions for tourists.
Visitors can take an elevator 175 feet deep into the Niagara Gorge. From there, a guide will lead you to the “Hurricane Deck.” These redwood decks allow visitors to experience the rushing waters of the falls.
Elsewhere on Goat Island, there is a new “World Changed Here” pavilion and the “Pulled to the Edge” room. Here, you can learn about the history of the falls and their influence on early hydropower experiments.
After nearly 200 years of triumphs and tragedies, the Cave of the Winds remains a must-see for all visitors to Niagara Falls.
What to Know Before You Go
Tours of the Cave of the Winds depart from Goat Island in New York on the American side of the falls.
Since the cave is located near Niagara Falls, it’s a good idea to wear waterproof clothing. You should also bring a change of clothes and shoes, as the rain ponchos or other suits might not be enough to protect you from the waterfall’s spray.
At the Cave of the Winds, there is a viewing platform located 150 feet from the waterfall that is specially designed for wheelchair users and adults with small children.
Sources:
- https://www.niagarafallsstatepark.com/attractions-and-tours/cave-of-the-winds#:~:text=Niagara%20Falls%20State%20Park&text=The%20name%20%22Cave%20of%20the,1900’s%20but%20the%20name%20stuck.
- https://www.niagarafallsinfo.com/niagara-falls-history/niagara-falls-tourism-history/cave-of-the-winds/
- https://interestingengineering.com/culture/the-cave-of-the-winds-the-history-of-one-of-niagara-falls-biggest-attractions