Table Rock Center
Encyclopedia
The Table Rock Welcome Centre (also known as Table Rock Center and, previously, Table Rock House) is a retail and observation complex located in Niagara Falls
, Ontario
, Canada
at the brink of the Canadian Horseshoe Falls
, several hundred feet south of the former rock formation which bears its name
. The complex consists of two buildings connected by a indoor pedestrian mall and anchored by "The Grand Hall", a multi-level indoor observation complex, completed in 2008.
The north building, originally constructed in 1926, houses a first-floor retail store and the Welcome Centre, Niagara's Fury, a whitewater simulation, plus the ticket offices for the Journey Behind the Falls
attraction. The upper level contains multiple specialty stores, a currency exchange, and additional outdoor observation plaza. The south building, constructed in 1974, has a first-floor fast food snack bar, additional retail space, and a second-floor, semi-formal restaurant overlooking the Horseshoe Falls and the upper Niagara River
.
Owned and operated by the Niagara Parks Commission
, Table Rock Centre provides the best direct path from the Horseshoe Falls observation area to the Falls Incline Railway (courtesy of a new bridge constructed in 2008 spanning the Niagara Parkway
), which transports passengers to the Fallsview Tourist area above the Niagara Escarpment
.
established his second museum of novelties, joining his first museum further upriver at the current site of the Victoria Park Restaurant. Barnett was eventually met with stiff competition from Buffalo
native Saul Davis, operator of a museum on the New York side, Prospect House, who built his own structure called Table Rock House in 1853, immediately south of Barnett's original structure.
Competition for the tourist's attention and dollar were fierce. Davis had built his structure between Barnett's museum and the Table Rock
viewing area, and thus was able to intercept any potential customer of Barnett's. Davis' employees were routinely referred to as "henchmen" who would lure visitors into his complex by promising them free access to the Falls, only to renege and charge outrageous fees, while physically challenging any victimized tourist who either refused or were unable to pay these charges. One such incident in June 1870 resulted in a homicide, for which Davis was acquitted and Barnett reprimanded for.
Even though victimized by Davis many times, Barnett did not resort to overcharging tourists or being disrespectful toward them. However, it was Barnett who ended up with financial difficulties. His riverfront property was auctioned off in 1877 to satisfy debts. Davis purchased Barnett's properties and continued to run the operation until the Niagara Parks Commission
and Queen Victoria Park
were established under a Provincial Act in 1887.
Davis' Table Rock House, standing since 1853, was in disrepair and was finally demolished in 1925 to make way for a new road and replacement building. Designed by the firm of Findlay and Foulis of Sault Ste. Marie
, Ontario, this building is still in service today, albeit with major modifications since that time.
After World War II
, the tunnels were relined with concrete and in 1951, an observation platform was constructed just north of the Horseshoe Falls. The attraction, now called the Scenic Tunnels, continued to draw increased tourist traffic; so much so that in 1963, extensive renovations were made to Table Rock House.
Modifications included the addition of the second floor observation plaza, and a planned "permanent" exhibit of replicas of the Royal Crown Jewels of Britain, drawing over 330,000 people in its first year. This exhibit lasted until 1973 when, citing lack of visitors, it was removed. A 25 cent admission fee to the observation plaza was removed the following year. Parking for Table Rock House was originally on the river side of the building which, due to the increased use of the automobile, became a hindrance. A major road design re-routed the Niagara Parkway to the west of the building in 1973, which provided a pedestrian environment between Table Rock House and the Horseshoe Falls.
In 1974, the building known as Table Rock South or the annex, was constructed to expand retail space, including a second-floor, first-class restaurant. Renovations at the site, first begun in 1992-93, connected the two buildings and created the indoor pedestrian plaza, while the first-floor gift shop was completely renovated in the 1926 (north) building. In an effort to better describe the Scenic Tunnels attraction, it was renamed Journey Behind The Falls in the mid 1990s.
Further asthetic improvements were made in 1998, and a more extensive renovation was completed in 2008, which saw the addition of the Grand Hall indoor observatory facing the Falls, an expansion of the north building for additional souvenir storage, as well as the new pedestrian bridge over the Niagara Parkway.
Recently renamed Table Rock Centre, the site continues to be a top draw for visitors and a top money-maker for the Niagara Parks Commission.
. Exterior shots of the 1926 (north) building established it as the fictional "Honeymoon Haven Hotel" where Clark Kent
and Lois Lane
represented the Daily Planet
in an effort to identify corruption in the honeymoon industry (though sound stages were utilized for interior shots).
Niagara Falls, Ontario
Niagara Falls is a Canadian city on the Niagara River in the Golden Horseshoe region of Southern Ontario. The municipality was incorporated on June 12, 1903...
, Ontario
Ontario
Ontario is a province of Canada, located in east-central Canada. It is Canada's most populous province and second largest in total area. It is home to the nation's most populous city, Toronto, and the nation's capital, Ottawa....
, Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
at the brink of the Canadian Horseshoe Falls
Horseshoe Falls
The Horseshoe Falls, also known as the Canadian Falls, is part of Niagara Falls, on the Niagara River. Approximately 90% of the Niagara River, after diversions for hydropower generation, flows over Horseshoe Falls. The remaining 10% flows over the American Falls...
, several hundred feet south of the former rock formation which bears its name
Table Rock, Niagara Falls
This article is about the former rock formation in Niagara Falls. For the retail complex bearing its name, please see Table Rock Center.Table Rock was a large shelf of rock which jutted out from the Canadian shore of Niagara Falls, Ontario, just north of the present day observation and commercial...
. The complex consists of two buildings connected by a indoor pedestrian mall and anchored by "The Grand Hall", a multi-level indoor observation complex, completed in 2008.
The north building, originally constructed in 1926, houses a first-floor retail store and the Welcome Centre, Niagara's Fury, a whitewater simulation, plus the ticket offices for the Journey Behind the Falls
Journey Behind the Falls
Journey Behind the Falls is an attraction in Niagara Falls, Ontario located in the Table Rock Center beside the Canadian Horseshoe Falls...
attraction. The upper level contains multiple specialty stores, a currency exchange, and additional outdoor observation plaza. The south building, constructed in 1974, has a first-floor fast food snack bar, additional retail space, and a second-floor, semi-formal restaurant overlooking the Horseshoe Falls and the upper Niagara River
Niagara River
The Niagara River flows north from Lake Erie to Lake Ontario. It forms part of the border between the Province of Ontario in Canada and New York State in the United States. There are differing theories as to the origin of the name of the river...
.
Owned and operated by the Niagara Parks Commission
Niagara Parks Commission
The Niagara Parks Commission, or Niagara Parks for short, is an agency of government of Ontario which maintains the Ontario shoreline of the Niagara River.- History :...
, Table Rock Centre provides the best direct path from the Horseshoe Falls observation area to the Falls Incline Railway (courtesy of a new bridge constructed in 2008 spanning the Niagara Parkway
Niagara Parkway
The Niagara Parkway, formerly known as Niagara Boulevard and historically as the Niagara Road, is a scenic road in the province of Ontario that travels on the Canadian side of the Niagara River from the town of Fort Erie to Niagara-on-the-Lake...
), which transports passengers to the Fallsview Tourist area above the Niagara Escarpment
Niagara Escarpment
The Niagara Escarpment is a long escarpment, or cuesta, in the United States and Canada that runs westward from New York State, through Ontario, Michigan, Wisconsin and Illinois...
.
Before the Niagara Parks Commission: 1827-1887
The first building on the site was constructed in 1827, when Thomas BarnettThomas Barnett (Niagara Falls)
Thomas Barnett was a museum proprietor, collector and innkeeper who managed museums and other tourist attractions in Niagara Falls, Ontario.- Establishment :...
established his second museum of novelties, joining his first museum further upriver at the current site of the Victoria Park Restaurant. Barnett was eventually met with stiff competition from Buffalo
Buffalo, New York
Buffalo is the second most populous city in the state of New York, after New York City. Located in Western New York on the eastern shores of Lake Erie and at the head of the Niagara River across from Fort Erie, Ontario, Buffalo is the seat of Erie County and the principal city of the...
native Saul Davis, operator of a museum on the New York side, Prospect House, who built his own structure called Table Rock House in 1853, immediately south of Barnett's original structure.
Competition for the tourist's attention and dollar were fierce. Davis had built his structure between Barnett's museum and the Table Rock
Table Rock, Niagara Falls
This article is about the former rock formation in Niagara Falls. For the retail complex bearing its name, please see Table Rock Center.Table Rock was a large shelf of rock which jutted out from the Canadian shore of Niagara Falls, Ontario, just north of the present day observation and commercial...
viewing area, and thus was able to intercept any potential customer of Barnett's. Davis' employees were routinely referred to as "henchmen" who would lure visitors into his complex by promising them free access to the Falls, only to renege and charge outrageous fees, while physically challenging any victimized tourist who either refused or were unable to pay these charges. One such incident in June 1870 resulted in a homicide, for which Davis was acquitted and Barnett reprimanded for.
Even though victimized by Davis many times, Barnett did not resort to overcharging tourists or being disrespectful toward them. However, it was Barnett who ended up with financial difficulties. His riverfront property was auctioned off in 1877 to satisfy debts. Davis purchased Barnett's properties and continued to run the operation until the Niagara Parks Commission
Niagara Parks Commission
The Niagara Parks Commission, or Niagara Parks for short, is an agency of government of Ontario which maintains the Ontario shoreline of the Niagara River.- History :...
and Queen Victoria Park
Queen Victoria Park
Queen Victoria Park is the main parkland located in Niagara Falls, Ontario, Canada opposite the American and Canadian Horseshoe Falls. Established by a Provincial Park Act in 1885 and opened in 1888, the park is operated by the Niagara Parks Commission and is considered the centerpiece of the...
were established under a Provincial Act in 1887.
Under Commission jurisdiction: 1887 - present
Since the 1840s, there had been a series of stairways leading from the complex to the river level where tourists could descend and walk right next to the foot of the Horseshoe Falls, dubbed Behind The Sheet. These stairs were replaced in 1889 with a hydraulic lift, and by 1905, tunnels were cut inside the rock, establishing the forerunner of the Journey Behind the Falls attraction.Davis' Table Rock House, standing since 1853, was in disrepair and was finally demolished in 1925 to make way for a new road and replacement building. Designed by the firm of Findlay and Foulis of Sault Ste. Marie
Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario
Sault Ste. Marie is a city on the St. Marys River in Algoma District, Ontario, Canada. It is the third largest city in Northern Ontario, after Sudbury and Thunder Bay, with a population of 74,948. The community was founded as a French religious mission: Sault either means "jump" or "rapids" in...
, Ontario, this building is still in service today, albeit with major modifications since that time.
After World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, the tunnels were relined with concrete and in 1951, an observation platform was constructed just north of the Horseshoe Falls. The attraction, now called the Scenic Tunnels, continued to draw increased tourist traffic; so much so that in 1963, extensive renovations were made to Table Rock House.
Modifications included the addition of the second floor observation plaza, and a planned "permanent" exhibit of replicas of the Royal Crown Jewels of Britain, drawing over 330,000 people in its first year. This exhibit lasted until 1973 when, citing lack of visitors, it was removed. A 25 cent admission fee to the observation plaza was removed the following year. Parking for Table Rock House was originally on the river side of the building which, due to the increased use of the automobile, became a hindrance. A major road design re-routed the Niagara Parkway to the west of the building in 1973, which provided a pedestrian environment between Table Rock House and the Horseshoe Falls.
In 1974, the building known as Table Rock South or the annex, was constructed to expand retail space, including a second-floor, first-class restaurant. Renovations at the site, first begun in 1992-93, connected the two buildings and created the indoor pedestrian plaza, while the first-floor gift shop was completely renovated in the 1926 (north) building. In an effort to better describe the Scenic Tunnels attraction, it was renamed Journey Behind The Falls in the mid 1990s.
Further asthetic improvements were made in 1998, and a more extensive renovation was completed in 2008, which saw the addition of the Grand Hall indoor observatory facing the Falls, an expansion of the north building for additional souvenir storage, as well as the new pedestrian bridge over the Niagara Parkway.
Recently renamed Table Rock Centre, the site continues to be a top draw for visitors and a top money-maker for the Niagara Parks Commission.
In film
The Table Rock Center complex was featured in the 1980 movie Superman IISuperman II
Superman II is the 1980 sequel to the 1978 superhero film Superman and stars Gene Hackman, Christopher Reeve, Terence Stamp, Ned Beatty, Sarah Douglas, Margot Kidder, and Jack O'Halloran. It was the only Superman film to be filmed by two directors...
. Exterior shots of the 1926 (north) building established it as the fictional "Honeymoon Haven Hotel" where Clark Kent
Clark Kent
Clark Kent is a fictional character created by Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster. Appearing regularly in stories published by DC Comics, he debuted in Action Comics #1 and serves as the civilian and secret identity of the superhero Superman....
and Lois Lane
Lois Lane
Lois Lane is a fictional character, the primary love interest of Superman in the comic books of DC Comics. Created by writer Jerry Siegel and artist Joe Shuster, she first appeared in Action Comics #1 ....
represented the Daily Planet
Daily Planet
The Daily Planet is a fictional broadsheet newspaper in the , appearing mostly in the stories of Superman. The building's original features were based upon the AT&T Huron Road Building in Cleveland, Ohio...
in an effort to identify corruption in the honeymoon industry (though sound stages were utilized for interior shots).