History Table Rock Welcome Centre
centre above
since 1840s, there had been series of stairways leading complex river level tourists descend , walk right next foot of horseshoe falls, dubbed behind sheet. these stairs replaced in 1889 hydraulic lift, , 1905, tunnels cut inside rock, establishing forerunner of journey behind falls attraction.
davis table rock house, standing since 1853, in disrepair , demolished in 1925 make way new road , replacement building. designed firm of findlay , foulis (claude alexander findlay , james foulis both scotland) of sault ste. marie, ontario, collegiate gothic building still in service today, albeit major modifications since time.
after world war ii, tunnels relined concrete , in 1951, observation platform constructed north of horseshoe falls. attraction, called scenic tunnels, continued draw increased tourist traffic; so in 1963, extensive renovations made table rock house.
modifications included addition of second floor observation plaza, , planned permanent exhibit of replicas of royal crown jewels of britain, drawing on 330,000 people in first year. exhibit lasted until 1973 when, citing lack of visitors, removed. 25 cent admission fee observation plaza removed following year. parking table rock house on river side of building which, due increased use of automobile, became hindrance. major road design re-routed niagara parkway west of building in 1973, provided pedestrian environment between table rock house , horseshoe falls.
in 1974, building known table rock south or annex, constructed expand retail space, including second-floor, first-class restaurant. renovations @ site, first begun in 1992-93, connected 2 buildings , created indoor pedestrian plaza, while first-floor gift shop renovated in 1926 (north) building. in effort better describe scenic tunnels attraction, renamed journey behind falls in mid 1990s.
further aesthetic improvements made in 1998, , more extensive renovation completed in 2008, saw addition of grand hall indoor observatory facing falls, expansion of north building additional souvenir storage, new pedestrian bridge on niagara parkway.
recently renamed table rock centre, site continues top draw visitors , top money-maker niagara parks commission.
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