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as a site for a Museum of Natural Science and History of Niagara, although the only condition attached to the offer was that the State should provide a suitable building, to be under the care of the Commissioners.

With the Commission's limited resources, therefore, the work of reconstruction was at first slow and gradual, but under the more liberal policy of later Legislatures, the Commission has been enabled to make a remarkable and most gratifying transformation.

The most extensive and substantial improvements have been made within the last five years, during which period the present Commissioners have consummated the well-considered plans of their predecessors and have effected many more improvements in harmony with the original conception of the Reservation.

The first work to be undertaken, upon the acquisition of the Reservation, was to clear the land of old eye-sores. Since 1885, about 150 buildings of the most diverse character have been removed flour, pulp, paper and planing mills; boat, bathing, ice and dwelling houses; a barn, a foundry, a hotel, sheds, bazaars, etc., of stone, brick and wood. In addition to this, old fences have been destroyed; mill-flumes and race-ways have been removed; and the excavations left by many of the structures have been filled up. This work of demolition has been continued to 1902, in which year it was substantially completed by the removal of the old brick office building on Green Island and the frame cottage at the entrance to Goat Island.

The removal of these structures produced results which sur prised not a few and gratified all. Visitors were quick to recognize the new beauties of the scenery disclosed; while old resi dents expressed delight at the rediscovery of once familiar but

long-hidden vistas. This was particularly true of the disencumbered area at and near Prospect Park, whence new views of surprising charm were revealed.

This work of removal and disclosure, important as it was, was but a preparatory step for the greater work which remained to be done. The work of destruction had to be followed by one of construction; and in planning for the future, the Commissioners consulted at various times four distinguished landscape architects, Mr. Frederick Law Olmsted, Mr. Calvert Vaux, Mr. Samuel Parsons, Jr., and Mr. William S. Edgerton.

As means were supplied, the work of restoration progressed. Old pictures, the recollections of old residents, and careful observations of the natural environment were employed to assist in restoring the landscape as nearly as practicable to its original aspect. Unsightly embankments were demolished and the mutilated shore restored to its normal condition; and on the southern side of Goat Island, crib-work of solid timber filled with stone was constructed to prevent erosion. Hollows were filled up; and, where imperatively necessary, the land was graded. Denuded places were planted with trees, care being taken to use only indigenous varieties. Old roads and paths were improved and new ones built where required to increase the accessibility of the Reservation. The induction of a supply of pure water and the erection of a proper lighting system were other improvements.

One of the first constructive works undertaken was the building, in 1887, of a new wooden stairway to Luna Island, which was subsequently removed and replaced in 1900 by a substantial stone stairway. This was the beginning of the class of better and permanent structures which the Reservation sadly needed.

This stairway afforded some striking views of the Falls not enjoyed before. In 1894, a new iron and steel bridge between Goat and Luna Islands, and a rustic stone arched bridge over the race-way at the foot of First street were finished. In 1896, a permanent Shelter building on Goat Island and a new terminal station at the foot of the Inclined Railway were completed.

One of the first works undertaken by the present Commission was the removal, in 1898, of the old wooden bridge between Goat Island and the First Sister Island, and the construction of a handsome and solid stone arched bridge in its place. In the same year, the artificial stone parapet wall, plank walk and wooden platform on the brink of Prospect Point which marred the beauty of the principal view-point within the Reservation were removed, making an agreeable change in the appearance of the locality. This is a conspicuous instance of the replacement of artificial with natural features. A similar transformation was made at Hennepin's View in 1898. This point projects from the high bank about midway between the American Falls and the northern boundary of the Reservation and commands the best general view of the Falls from the American side. The wooden platform and stairs which encumbered this site were removed, and an elevation of earth and rock made in their place, resembling as closely as possible a natural formation.

In 1898, the frame cottage, sheds and fences were removed from the northwestern corner of the Reservation, which commanded a fine view of the Niagara Gorge; the point was raised; the high bank rip-rapped with large rustic stones; and a new and desirable view opened to visitors.

One of the important improvements in 1899 was the construction of the new Rapids Drive, along the Rapids from Bridge

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