Cataract House, former international hotel in Niagara Falls, New York
The Cataract House was a large hotel built in 1825 on the bank of the Niagara River, becoming the biggest hotel on the American side of the falls with a five-story rectangular structure. The building was expanded several times over the years, with sections added on its north side and extended portions that eventually reached toward the river's edge to maximize views for guests.
The hotel was founded in 1825 and quickly became a landmark for falls visitors, while also serving as a key station for the Underground Railroad before the Civil War. It changed ownership several times and continued operating for over a century before being destroyed by fire in 1945.
The Cataract House employed mostly African American staff, particularly waiters who formed an important part of the local community. These workers created their own networks and gathered at the hotel, which served as a social hub for people of color in the area.
The site of the former hotel is now part of Heritage Park, situated between Buffalo Avenue and the Niagara River, within walking distance of the Underground Railroad Heritage Center. Models and exhibits at the center help visitors understand the building's layout and its historical significance.
The hotel served as a crucial station on the Underground Railroad, with African American staff, particularly head waiter John Morrison, personally ferrying escapees across the Niagara River under cover of night. This covert operation succeeded in helping numerous enslaved people reach freedom while maintaining the appearance of a busy tourist hotel.
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