Industrial Niagara 



Although this period covers the time ordinarily devoted to 1916 

 slumber, still in the evening and during the early forenoon, tour- or,on 

 ists and others would constantly gaze upon Niagara at rest. 



To remedy this feature, one per cent or less of* the river's 

 volume would be allowed to pass the dam and flow over the 

 brink. It would generate a thin curtain of water just enough to 

 hide the massive scaffolding and the maze of wheels. By simple 

 hydraulic devices, this small amount of water could be largely 

 transformed into spray. A delicate lace-like " bridal veil " would 

 screen cliffs and every trace of commercialism. 



It would mean the creation of an industrial metropolis, sur- 

 passing any now existing on the face of the globe. No cinders 

 or soot would pollute its atmosphere ; no towering chimneys would 

 rise against the sky-line. Industries of the most varied nature, 

 carbides, carborundum, aluminum, cynamid, chlorine, alkalies, 

 steel, copper, and many minor branches — all dependent upon 

 the electric current — would gravitate to this point. It would 

 become in very truth — perhaps in name — the electropolis of 

 America! 



Summary 



The history of Industrial Niagara is the history of one of the 

 most vital economic developments of the age. More than one 

 important industry has been entirely revolutionized by the appli- 

 cation of Niagara power. 



The first sawmill was built on the Niagara in 1 725, and from 

 that time traveler's accounts of the Falls contain many references 

 to the mills seen there and the potential possibilities of such a 

 waterfall, but it was not until 1880 that the real literature of 

 Industrial Niagara had its beginning. From then on to the 

 present day this aspect of Niagara has developed a tremendously 

 interesting literature. Much of it is technical in presentation, 

 the greater portion of it has appeared in periodicals, but it is easily 



obtainable in most communities. 



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