Youngstown is on the western edge of the town of Porter and is at the international border with Canada, at Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario.

[4] Youngstown is an historic village located at the northwestern corner of the state where the Niagara River flows into Lake Ontario.

In an area known to the Indians for hundreds of years, the French explorer La Salle left his mark by building a small fort in 1670, less than a mile north of where the village now stands.

The French gained control of the Great Lakes area and by 1727 built the "Castle" which became the centerpiece of Old Fort Niagara.

John Young, who lived across the river, saw opportunities on this side and built a store on the landing area in 1809.

These included all the property from what is now the north side of Falkner Park and as far south as Campbell Street and from the river eastward to what is now the Niagara Scenic Parkway.

Young sold the Falkner Park area to Robert Greensit in March 1812 before the war started between the U.S. and England.

By that time, a number of log cabins had been built to provide shelter for the skilled tradesmen and storekeepers who were attracted to the area by the Fort which needed many supplies and services.

At Christmas time, they retreated to the American side after burning the Village of Newark, Ontario (now Niagara-On-The-Lake).

In retaliation, British and Indians captured Fort Niagara and burned most of the buildings and homes south of it to what is now Buffalo.

The moderate climate, the excellent fishing, accessibility by lake boats and proximity to Canada all played a part in Youngstown's growth.

Two failed immediately in the 1850s, but the electric line carried supplies to the village and fort as well as bringing thousands of people to the old beach amusement park.

During the colonial wars in North America a fort at the mouth of the Niagara River was vital, for it controlled access to the Great Lakes and the westward route to the heartland of the continent.

Day or night, under clear conditions, the Toronto skyline is visible to the naked eye from Old Fort Niagara State Park.