Augustus S. Porter (January 18, 1769 – June 10, 1849) was an American businessman, judge, farmer, and politician who served as an Assemblyman for the state of New York.
In 1800, he moved to Canandaigua, New York and in 1805, he and his brother, Peter Buell Porter (1773–1844), with whom he had business interests across a variety of industries,[3] moved to Niagara Falls purchasing the land near Niagara Falls, United States at a public auction in order to open a business park.
[5] In 1825, the Porter brothers presented a prospectus, touting the economic advantages of developing Goat Island as an industrial site.
Augustus' initial plan was to use the power generated in the 50 foot (15m) drop of the rapids above the falls, however he could not find any interested financiers.
Working with engineer and hotel operator Gen. Parkhurst Whitney, they developed the first bridge from the mainland to Goat Island in 1818, the first staircase from Prospect Point to the base of the Falls in that same year, a ferry service across the river in 1820, and a whole series of gardens, walks, bridges, staircases, and other attractions, creating a picturesque and romanticized human garden, all mapped out, from which tourists could explore the spectacular natural beauty of the Falls in a semi-controlled environment.
[7] Between 1818 and 1822, Porter had a general store in Niagara, New York where he sold food, clothing, leather goods, candles, hardware, grain, lumber and liquors.
As part of Porter, Barton, and Company, they established ports in Niagara Falls, Lewiston, and Black Rock.
The 1800 census noted that one enslaved person lived in the household of Augustus Porter in Canandaigua, New York.