Buffalo Rising Online

Oct 28th 2007, 7:58pm By queenseyes

Fall is an amazing time to visit Squaw Island. Earlier today we took a drive over to the park and walked the paths and bike trails that wind alongside the Niagara River. One of the nice things about Squaw Island is the relative silence that prevails. With the wind coming off the Niagara River and the rustling of the leaves, and the rushing water, it's one of the nicest places to hike along inside city limits. The $7 million spent on environmental remediation and park improvements was worth every penny, and it's good to see how well manicured Squaw Island is. The grass is cut, the Re-Tree efforts are paying off, the trails are clean, and the beautification efforts at the entranceway (on Niagara) make it easier to find this waterside paradise.

Squaw Island has seen quite a past. By now, many people are familiar with the fact that Squaw was once a dumping ground. Much of that refuse was removed and relocated to Tifft Farm before Tifft was designated a nature preserve. At the turn of the century there was a lively commerce area along the shores... until a fiery tragedy that is. Accounts from a NY Times article dated June 18th 1901 read:

Miles Of Buildings Burned - Squaw Island Property Facing On Niagara River Destroyed: Early this morning fire destroyed all the buildings on Squaw Island, that front on the Niagara River, from the foot of Ferry Street to a point nearly a mile north. The loss is in the neighborhood of $260,000.

The principle buildings destroyed were the Frontier Mill, owned by the Schoellkopf estate, the Ryan Elevator, the Queen City Mill, Fort Erie Ferry's ticket office and waiting room and a part of their pier. Besides these buildings there were burned a dozen naphtha and steam launches, canal boats, and houseboats anchored in the harbor, the dock itself, and scores of boathouses and shanties occupied by squatters, stretching along the shore of the river for nearly a mile.

Now all that remains (open to the public) is a peaceful park - connected by bike trails that can be taken from the foot of Ferry or even Delaware Park. The Black Rock Lock can also be found there, along with a long pier that stretches out along where Rich Marina is found. Even though the pier is in disrepair, it is still a peaceful walk (or bike) to take. See map.