Growing up in Niagara Falls

[Cathy]

I grew up in the north end of Niagara Falls, in an area not all that different-looking from most 1960s suburban neighbourhoods—though there were continual reminders that I was not living in just any town. We’d make the trek to the falls when we had visitors, riding the Maid of the Mist, walking through Queen Victoria Park, and gazing out over the Niagara Gorge. Being from an outdoorsy family, I certainly did my fair share of swimming at Dufferin Islands and picnicking at Queenston Heights and climbing in and out of the Niagara Glen, all treasures along the river. There was an eagerly awaited day each year when the local kids could use their library cards as proof of their special status and hit every wax museum and house of horrors on Clifton Hill for free. Of course, all the teenagers in Niagara Falls had summer jobs within stones’ throws of one another, which made for raucous summers. And there was the never-ending stream of quirky Niagara Falls lore, some of it impossible to overlook—incidents like a high school boyfriend’s brother surviving the plunge over the falls in a barrel (wearing only cowboy boots and a hat).

Was I awed by the magnificence of my surroundings? I once attended a wedding reception at Queen Victoria Park Restaurant, overlooking the falls, and was taken aback when the out-of-towners spontaneously stood up and applauded when the floodlights were turned on, lighting up the falls. My surprise, I think, came more from being unaccustomed to the reaction of people seeing Niagara Falls for the first time than from having grown immune to the beauty of my own backyard. This moment came during my first years living away from Niagara Falls, the years when I first discovered it was possible to miss a river. I’d visit on most occasions when I was home, lengthening my running route from my parents’ house just so I could glimpse the gorge, whiling away afternoons in the Niagara Glen.

And now, after years of researching and writing The Day the Falls Stood Still, that line forever linking me to Niagara Falls has grown weightier still.

[Bridget]

Hi Cathy- Thanks for the post. Here is my review of the book which I loved by the way. Hope there is more to come.
I am somewhat biased because I grew up near Niagara Falls, NY, but I would have loved this book even if I was from Atlanta. The book is set on the Canadian side of Niagara Falls from 1915 to 1925. The main character, Bess, endures many successes and tragedies from the age of 17 until she is 26, when the book ends. Her privileged life is abruptly taken away from her, and everyone, including Bess, is pleasantly surprised by her perseverance. While there are frequent references to sacrificing because of the war, the major setting is Niagara Falls, which is very much a character in this book. The book invoked many feelings about Niagara Falls: awe of its majesty, fear of its power, and respect of its economic and social impact.

This love story hits all the traditional major loves: love of your partner, parental love, and sibling love. Loss is also a major theme: the demise of loved ones, sacrifice for the war, loss of lifestyle.

The book is relatively action-packed, but I don’t want to spoil any part of it because all the events were incredible. I highly recommend this book.