Terrapin Point - Niagara Falls, NY
Posted by: Rayman
N 43° 04.804 W 079° 04.464
17T E 656750 N 4771505
Terrapin Point is located on Goat Island in Niagara Falls and provides excellent views of the Horseshoe (Canadian) Falls and the Niagara Gorge.
Waymark Code: WM1P2R
Location: New York, United States
Date Posted: 06/13/2007
Views: 212
The following is an excerpt from
New York: A Guide to the Empire State in the Niagara Falls points of interest section.
TERRAPIN POINT is connected with TERRAPIN ROCKS by handrailed walk. From the rocks is a view into the deep cleft that forms the apex of Horseshoe Falls, where the vast accumulation of water concentrates in a spectacular exhibition of power.
Terrapin Point's name comes from the Terrapin Rocks that were once part of the Horseshoe Falls. The rocks resembled a terrapin, or common North American turtle. In 1829, a wooden walkway was built out to the brink of the falls. From 1833 to 1873, a stone tower stood at the end of the walkway, providing visitors with a unique view of the falls and the Niagara Gorge.
In 1954-55, Terrapin Rocks were covered with fill in order to create the present observation area. In the early 1970s, cracks were discovered near the edge of Terrapin Point and it was closed to the public. After two years of study, in 1983 a series of closely timed blasts peeled away the tip of Terrapin Point, stabilizing the area.