Cataract House

Photograph from George E. Curtis Photographs of Niagara Falls collection, ca1860s-1870s RG 703

This photograph, part of the George E. Curtis Photographs of Niagara Falls collection in the Brock Archives & Special Collections (RG703) showcases the skills of George E. Curtis, a prominent photographer in the Niagara region during this time. In this image, he captures a significant landmark in Niagara in the 19th century, Cataract House. This hotel was built in 1825 and was located on Main Street in Niagara Falls, NY. It was one of the city’s most expansive lodging establishments. Under the direction of of General Parkhurst Whitney the hotel saw significant expansion during the 1830s and it was officially named “Cataract House” at this time.

The hotel was also an important stop on the Underground Railroad. Throughout the 19th century, it was the site of many successful and unsuccessful attempts at helping people escape from slavery.

This photograph plays a crucial part in illustrating technological advancements and acts as a reminder of locations that, although no longer in existence, are significant to Niagara’s past. During the 19th century, images of Niagara Falls were widely circulated and served many roles all of which continued to add to the grand allure of the world-famous waterfalls. These images attracted tourists worldwide and fostered a booming tourism industry that highlighted this beauty.

In Curtis’s photograph, we can capture this advancement in photographic technology specifically through the depiction of the moving water. The blurring of the water in this photograph by Curtis is due to a slow shutter speed which allows the camera to capture movement over a period of time. The use of this technique to capture the mystical grand waterfall allows for this almost ethereal appearance therefore adding to the overall atmosphere of Niagara Falls.

-Text by Alisha Basra (VISA 2P90)

*This image is part of the “Women, Water, and Words” exhibition that students in VISA 2P90 curated in the Winter 2024 semester.