While the area has undoubtedly been populated by First Nations people for many thousands of years, very few details from times before European contact are known.

[citation needed] The French encountered a group of people whom they called the "Neutral Indians", because they lived between the more powerful and combative Huron to the north and Iroquois to the south, but were not involved in their wars (at least in recorded time).

[citation needed] Eventually, however, the Neutral nation was wiped out by the Iroquois and almost nothing of their culture survives - the name by which they called themselves is unknown.

[citation needed] Following the extermination of the Neutrals, the area was abandoned by the Iroquois and settled by a branch of the Chippewa nation, originating the former name of the river and subsequently the name of the village.

He was a United Empire Loyalist from Albany, New York who settled on the south side of the Welland River in 1783.

[citation needed] After the War of 1812, Chippawa also became the home of Laura Secord, remembered for carrying information to the British regarding American advances before the Battle of Beaverdams.

Most of this road remains today, following its original winding route in contrast to the rectangular grid of other Niagara Falls streets.

The Welland River curved downstream into the Niagara and ships rounding this point were in danger of being swept over the falls.

[4] This short canal allowed ships to turn upstream into the Niagara River directly and avoid the most severe currents.

[3] By the mid-1830s, the Welland Canal had been extended to enter Lake Erie at Port Colborne, Ontario, but commercial navigation on the river continued for roughly another century.

While commercial shipping no longer exists in Chippawa, pleasure boating continues and marina facilities can be found at Lyon's Creek just west of the village.

Even with the Welland Canal providing access between the lakes in the 1830s, the portage road was still carrying a great deal of people and cargo.

A short section remains in service today as an industrial spur, ending at north side of the Welland River.

The line crossed the Welland River on a bridge at Cummings Lane [7] and proceeded about 1.5 km south to Slater's Dock (also known as Chippawa Landing), where it connected with steamboats from Buffalo.

Main Street, which changes into Lyons Creek Road outside of the village, makes the most direct connection with a major highway - the Queen Elizabeth Way 6 km away.

The last main route is the original Portage Road, linking to the business area of Niagara Falls.

Chippawa was also home to one of the largest distilleries, along with gristmills, sawmills, tanneries, and iron, brass and tin manufacturing.

A short distance north of the village along the Niagara Parkway can be seen two monolithic structures – gates to tunnels which also carry water to the generating stations.