Niagara Falls is located in northwestern New York, near Lake Erie. The first permanent settlement here was in the early 19th century. It was burned by the British on 30 Dec 1813 during the War of 1812. The city began to prosper in the late 1800’s when electricity began to take hold in the area. <br> At the time of its incorporation in 1892, the city of Niagara Falls was created out of the villages of Niagara Falls, Suspension Bridge and the hamlet of Clarksville. <br> The incorporation date of Niagara Falls: March 17, 1892. Many do not realize there is more than one waterfall at Niagara. The American Falls, the Luna Falls (Bridal Veil Falls), and Horseshoe Falls are the three falls located here. They are all different sizes and shapes. The American Falls is 182 feet high, more than the Horseshoe Falls at 176 feet. At the crest of the falls, Horseshoe is 2,100 feet while American Falls is just 1,075 feet. <br> Much water flows over the edge, up to 700,000 gallons per second in the summer during the day. In the winter the amount is more like 350,000 gallons. Much of the total gallonage in the Niagara River is diverted for power generation. In recorded history, there is only one time the falls ceased to flow. That was on 29 March 1848 when ice jammed the entrance to the Niagara River at Lake Erie. It was several hours before the water began to pour over the precipice once again. <br> Several islands are near the falls. Goat Island is between Horseshoe and Luna Falls. It is reached by using the American Rapids Bridge. The famous "Cave of the Winds" trip is begun here. The name of the island came from the winter of 1763 when only the goats survived the severe winter. Luna Island may be reached by crossing a foot bridge from Goat Island. For a really good look at Luna Falls and American falls, you can take this walk.