Dufferin Islands

[2] While Niagara Falls, New York, became more well known for industry development along the lower river's edge in the 1870s, this took place much earlier on the Canadian side.

Macklem arranged for a pair of suspension bridges to be built in order to facilitate pedestrian and carriage traffic throughout the area.

[1] When the Parks Commission took over, they renamed the islands in honor of Canadian Governor-General Lord Dufferin, who had been instrumental in establishing parkland along the river to replace "The Front", a notoriously rowdy tourist area.

Initial work was completed by 1905, but the Parks Commission rejected the resulting layout, saying the arrangement was too formal and "out of place with the surroundings."

This area remained in use until the early 2000s, when it was removed due to safety concerns brought on by swimmers diving from surrounding bridges into the shallow water, as well as maintenance issues.