The Forgotten City in the Shadow of Niagara Falls
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- Опубліковано 20 гру 2015
- Hey Seeker Stories fans. We had to make a small tweak to the episode, so yes this is a re-upload. But we're proud of it and we love it so you might as well give it a second watch. Or third. Thanks!
Niagara Falls in Canada is one of the world's most popular tourist attractions, but just across the river in Niagara, New York is a much darker story.
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I live and grew up in the Niagara region (Ontario side). I'd visit Niagara Falls (Ontario) every Saturday night with my dad as a kid.It was lots of fun back then (no casinos), but all my favourite memories actually are from when we walked across to Niagara Falls, NY (early to mid 90's).
1. Not sure if it's still around but I loved walking around the Rainbow Center mall. There was this small bookstore and we bought the Pierre Burton book 'Niagara'. I kept it even to this day as a reminder of that day.
2. My truly favourite memory was closer to Christmas. Snow blanketed everywhere, there was this place that gave out free hot cocoa. The Christmas lights were amazing (more traditional than the glitz of the winter festival of lights on the CDN side). There was a small skate rink that many people were on. It was truly magical then.
Those two above all I hold dear.
Niagara Falls was booming until the experts stepped in and changed things. They got rid of all the small businesses that catered to the tourists along Falls Street claiming that they were tacky and out of place. They somehow managed to ignore the large crowds across the river on Clifton Hill, where all the tourist attractions were and the streets were packed with tourists. They tried to start new attractions that did not have anything to do with the Falls, but they forgot that the reason people came to the Falls was to see the Falls. Because of corruption and kickbacks, most of these projects ran way over budget and there was no way that they could even open. The final nail in the coffin was allowing the Seneca Nation to open a casino in Niagara Falls. The local bars and restaurants could never compete with the casino that offered free drinks and lower priced meals and dining. In a typical example of short-sightedness, the Seneca offered to buy an adjacent parking ramp from the city, but the city refused to sell. They were oblivious that the Seneca were building a huge parking ramp a block away that was free for visitors. After the new ramp opened no one used the city-owned ramp anymore.
jesterd14 the expert that destroyed Niagara Falls was E. Dent Lackey who was mayor of Niagara Falls from the mid 60s until 1976. That man and his idiotic urban renewal dreams completely did away with the downtown area and turned into a giant suburban parking lot because of all the senseless demolition of historic business blocks. That wrecked the tax base which literally put the city in constant budget deficits year after year. When heavy industry started giving up on Niagara Falls and started shutting down factories, that was pretty much the end of the line for the "power city of the world". Rampant political corruption, organized crime, deteriorating infrastructure, urban abandonment, drugs and violent crime all have taken their toll on this once proud and prosperous little city. The longtime monolithic rule of the democrats has destroyed Niagara Falls in as much the same way as they destroyed other cities like Gary IN, Saginaw MI, Youngstown OH, Bridgeport CT, Camden NJ, Chester PA and many other older gritty blue collar cities.
Actually, the decline began in the late 1950's. Retail sales began dropping in 1958. In the 1960's the state development agency, under Moses and Rockefeller, both Republicans, got involved. They were the ones who came up with the concept of the urban fair, including the Wintergarden, the Carborundum building and it was Moses who cut the city off from the falls. The Robert Moses Parkway took tourists off the streets of the Falls and when it ended you were at the Rainbow Bridge. Yes, organized crime played a big part, along with bid-rigging, and corruption. But so did Love Canal which really put a hit on tourism. Your point about Democrats is moot and foolish because you focus on locations where the largest employer left. Just like those mill towns in the Carolinas and Mississippi folded up when the local textile mill closed and the jobs went overseas. But you ignore cities like Seattle, San Fransisco, San Diego, Dallas, and Houston have had Democrats as mayors for over 12 years, Los Angeles has the third largest economy in the world... Even downtown Detroit is booming.
Oh wow. I'm a Canadian who has grown up near Niagara Falls - Canada. I just never thought much about the American side of the Falls. I just assumed they had a similar tourism industry.
Sadly. I live in Niagara Falls on the NY side and it's pretty depressing lol. As a kid, my family and i would always go across the border because it was unfathomably different just 10 minutes from our house lol. I can't think of any reason to come to the falls. Maybe Buffalo lol
It's simple, the Canadian side looks more appealing, more developed therefore more people flocked over there. That was the first thing I noticed.
If the American side was more like Canada's then there would have been no problem. Like the saying goes ''build it and they will come'.'
It used to be the opposite.
Chris Smith downtown sucks not because of the country hates black people it’s because crime and no development
The pairing of the portraits and the landscapes were so beautifully done. Another amazing story. Thank you.
Man, going across rainbow bridge and seeing the boarded up houses right away is pretty unfortunate. Gotdam share some of that wealth NYC.
my father is from nf on my mother is from nf ny so all her family lives there. we live in canada now and its sad how bad nf ny is. my grandfather always tells me about how nice it use to be 50 years ago. a lot of these pictures r fimiliar sights to me.
"The American Dream" - A dream like all dreams, experienced when asleep...
Says he doesn't believe in the American dream, claims people come here with a dream that can only be satiated with hard work and an unwavering dedication - American Dream
We're not that poor actually.. But being that I was born and raised in Niagara Falls, NY and still currently residing, this is a pretty good video. Loved how you used real pictures of our city. I recognize almost every picture posted in your "slideshow".. But again we're not as "poor" as made seem.
Desire Zy is it a safe place to live? I visited once about two years ago and absolutely loved it.
Desire Zy YAY SOMEONE LIVES NEAR ME
I enjoyed watching this film, when I was younger. (It is scary actually, what happened with Bush jr. [considering the time it-the movie-was made, and the time he was President] shucks, and the current POTUS.) Without further ado, www.imdb.com/title/tt0109370/
2017.10.07 1810h
I enjoyed watching this film, when I was younger. (It is scary actually, what happened with Bush jr. [considering the time it-the movie-was made, and the time he was President] shucks, and the current POTUS.) Without further ado, www.imdb.com/title/tt0109370/
I'm checking Netflix to see if it is available, or something else... I want to laugh some more.
My dad is from Niagara falls Canada..but really..the new York side is in bad shape..
I bet there's a l lot of great people living in Niagara falls NY, hard times build character, that city will rise again. Also I'm Canadian and I'm finding the remarks by my fellow Canadians here repulsive, if you have nothing nice to say then say nothing at at all, be well friends.
As a former resident of Niagara Falls, NY, I agree. I will rise again. Something will stoke the flames and bring new life. There needs to be a "Save Niagara Falls" movement.
I also think playing on the corrupt bigwig's greed is also a good way to improve things. Twist their vice against them in the name of bettering the populace. Show them that a thriving City full of thriving people is good for business and profits!
Hurting others is unnecessary and doesn't pay more in the long run.
@@SpukiTheLoveKitten75 yes!! Like their refusal to repave all the downtown cities streets! We need our fkn streets fixed !
They're trying to gentrify Buffalo, so maybe it will bring more new money to the region. Niagara is still more affordable. America can't keep paying everyone $10/hour and expect us to be able to live in these mini-mansions and sky high condos they build. It's not sustainable. I want my own house and moving up there is what I can afford.
@@jessicah3450 I see a lot of potential in places like Detroit and Buffalo. These places need more police and prosecutors willing to press charges. Once the crime has been lowered good people will be willing to move there. In Detroit you can get a house for $5000 or less the problem is you stand a good chance of being robbed or murdered. Getting criminals off the streets is how you rebuild a once fine city.
Yea I live here in Niagara Falls, NY. nothing but thugs, pollution, bums, abandoned houses and factories. once used to be thriving of money and working middle class to poor people living off of welfare and the cheapest place to buy and sell vacant houses. alot of history here though. I used to live in a house made in the 1800's and you can literally see a few ghosts peeking around the house.. just a warning. if your a tourist careful what you buy here some of the shit here is over priced. we are almost done with a skate park too here at Hyde Park boulevard.
thomas NoScopedJFK would you say it is a dangerous place to live? I've visited once about two years ago and I loved it by the falls. I felt safe and very peaceful. I noticed the homes in niagara ny are very cheap but very nice. Why is this?
Thank you for your insights. I'm looking into this region because I want a place that's mine and this area is affordable. Here in Texas, the workers make $10/hour, yet they tear down our apartments and homes to build mini-mansions and expensive loft apartments. It's not sustainable, these fancy new buildings sit half vacant, and a lot of these turn into Airbnbs, leaving the working class residents on their own. Having to live 50 miles away from where you work because they've pushed all the poor people out into the sticks. I see a lot of potential in the Buffalo/Niagara area, I'm kind of a homebody, and the culture and food look awesome. Seems like a place with a lot of hidden gems.
@@jessicah3450 if you do move here just know that the crime has risen 300% meaning 1 of 20 people are a victim of a crime. Try to get a place up town by lasalle area or downtown by main street. Itll be easy to find a job here if you have a good resume. But niagara falls, NY is going down hill and fast. Best buy get a pistol permit cause the cops dont do their job here either.
I live on the Canadian side of Niagara Falls and as soon as you leave the tourist area it's a giant slum. Our city does nothing unless it benefits Clifton Hill. We have a huge affordable housing crisis, but hey let's build a multimillion dollar performing arts theater. If there's anything we need it's definitely more minimum wage part time Jobs.
From Niagara Falls NY, but live in the Florida panhandle (Pensacola first, now Panama City) since retiring from the Navy in 1988, actually joined the Air Force in 1964 getting out in 1968 then joined the Navy in 1969. Main reason that I stayed in Florida was the weather and not the condition of the Falls. Over the years whenever I went home I noticed the deteriorating condition of the city. But when I went home September of 2014 for the 50th Class Reunion of NFHS 64 was the saddest trip of them all. Seeing the dilapidated and abandoned homes in my neighborhoods including one of the two houses that I grew up in. Though saddened by the conditions of the city I will always be proud to say I'm from NIAGARA FALLS.
Me Too!! Not Our Fault It Is What It Is, But It's Home and there's Still Much Beauty!
That's one of the main reasons the American side is so bad, the weather elsewhere in the country. Canada has nowhere warm so why leave NF or the great lakes in general?
I still live here, and I still love it here. Also, it's called Niagara Falls, NY. Niagara could mean the Town of Niagara, or the county.
"The American dream" is more like "The American nightmare".
+neil lim Compared to other second and third world countries, "The American dream" is still valid. A lot of immigrants and people are still coming from countries with oppressive government.
+rune-chan Lol, "Chinese Dream"
+neil lim more like your being anti american.
fancy seeing your anti-american imbecile face here.
+neil lim You don't even know what the American dream means lol
I too passed by the city of Niagra without a thought, but the park and natural feel of the American side was much more tasteful than the arcades, casinos, and amusement parks of the touristy Canadian side of the falls.
Very very sad
niagara falls, ny! did you do any research?
Mine is better than yours. No mine is better than yours. So sad. Why cant both sides work together and make things realy better? Yes maybe in a perfect world. Which means that'll never happen. So sad realy.
On Canada's side we have a better view and a rich, high. Class city
+jordan parks No shit
+jordan parks lmao for the first few km, the rest of the kms are shit until you get to the highway or into the other cities
But Americas living standards are higher than of Canada so gg.
+Sharon Kim really?
Sharon Kim are you stupid
Where is that water tower at?
very true go anyplace in eastern new york state and for instace take clayton new york its like stepping back to the 50s crazy
My parents went there for their honeymoon and Coney Island to ride the roller coasters but was closed! Silly but cute!
I rather be on in new York looking at Canada's building and nice city rather than looking at a old beat up city.
ibrahim hakeem yeah but on the Canadian side you get to see the American Falls AND the Horseshoe Falls from across the river...
I used to cross the border from Canada for a night out in the 70's, to JP Morgans, etc...what happened to that? Now even downtown motels can not cut the mustard and have closed. There is absolutely no reason to go there.
To be honest off the main strip of Niagara Canada is sketchy too.
not really
Niagara Falls New York still has the after effect of the Love Canal, Crumbling Rainbow Mall, a convention center that became part of a casino etc... The movie Niagara was shot totally and only on the Ontario side. Hopefully, with investors it will become a safe renewed city. I like the view of Canada from the US side and the cheap beer, alcohol, wine, clothes, cheap gas, food and close proximity to Buffalo. I like Orchard Park and the Frank Lloyd Wright Home's. The house's are so inexpensive! If I had a helicopter, I'd work in Toronto and live in Buffalo.
Godspeed Niagara Falls New York. 🍁 Canadian investors are already at work transforming your city on the fall's. 🎈🎈🎈
I hope so. My old hometown needs help and those in charge seem hellbent on creating a ghost town for some reason (which makes no sense since a thriving town would certainly mean more money for the greedy big
shots). If Buffalo can rise from the ashes so can Niagara Falls, NY.
+Seeker stories Do a video on the phenomenon of new grange. Irelands building celebrating the winter solstice. This building I'd older than the pyramids
The American dream doesn't come free, just like Dee said you have to work for it but, this city looks bleak, and the economy has dried up, why are they still looking here?
bro I live in Niagara Falls ontario and its really amazing
I’ll preface this by saying I’d never live in another country but the US: but the Canadian side is 80% better. Hotels casinos, gift shops, tourist trap etc. I’m from Southern California (Anaheim) but got married and now live in Indianapolis area cuz property is way cheaper here. There’s nice places throughout the world if you look around but I’m partial to America. I’ve been to all 50 states and everywhere has it’s bad and good. But the point of the video seems to be Niagra NY has room to improve. Can’t argue with that. Drive around the neighborhoods surrounding Disneyland and there’s some scuzzy areas. Take the good and leave the bad. Cheers Bill
Go to Niagara Falls, Ontario.
Lived in "The Falls" for many years on the Canadian side. Been on the U.S. side many times and found some truth in this video. The Canadian side is actually booming right now (2018) as retirees from Toronto and other large urban centres move in driving prices up on housing etc. 2 casinos, Brock University, the Niagara College complex, numerous wineries, tech industries, and many world-class hotels are bringing much-needed dollars and employment into the area. The American side of The Falls seems to be struggling although I believe a renaissance is beginning there. Astute investors might do well to investigate real estate in the area, especially the commercial areas.
Reupload?
+Paakphum Yup! We all really loved this video and couldn't let it live online with a tiny mistake forever.
+Seeker Stories what was the mistake
+Seeker Stories Please correct the other glaring mistake that I believe a number of other users pointed out prior to the re-upload. Its name is Niagara Falls, New York, otherwise known as the City of Niagara Falls, and NEVER known as 'Niagara New York'. There is a Niagara County, New York. There is also a Town of Niagara, New York, but it seems clear that this video intends to refer to the city on the veastern banks of the Niagara River which overlooks Niagara Falls (the waterfall[s]). That's right, there is a city called Niagara Falls in Ontario AND a city called Niagara Falls in New York State!
+Seeker Stories I live there
+matt mckenzie yeh they just pick up story's from the internet and put it in here same type of mistake they did in video of Mumbai... they just don't want to do research at all ...not giving knowledge is better than giving wrong one...
There has to be some people who care who have better ideas. Surviving only goes so far and it ages you fast.
Surviving means you don't have the money for your ideas to go anywhere. That's life in America.
Just go one street past the to of the hill and it's a abandoned waste land
Been here. Done this.
Just move to the Canadian side. Canadians Aren't going to hurt you.
+Royal Canadian Mapping Yes, but easier said than done. To move to CA you have to get a work visa and that takes getting a job.
urbanlotusflower they are not Syrians so I'm pretty sure they could get one pretty easy.
I am not sure what Syrians have to do with anything but ok. It may even be more specific in that the person has to get a certain type of job or in a certain industry. Canada is not just letting anyone and everyone stay and get free health care (jk).
urbanlotusflower our health care isn't 100% free.
WoWplayer527 cool.
I thought this video would be about Chippawa but ok
I wonder how's real estate is next to one of the world's natural wonder
Why title this the forgotten city.?
Every city has run down areas, just sad Niagara’s is right around the falls
It has so much potential. I don’t understand why no-one, not even the government has invested in making the American Side a great place for tourism/vacationing. Would provide much needed jobs and revenue. I had no idea it was so bad like that there. That’s a real shame.
The video completely ignores the Love Canal on the U.S. side. Hundreds if not thousands of people left their homes in Niagara Falls, New York after they learned that their homes had been built on a toxic waste dump.
'Niagara FALLS' New York, not 'Niagara'.
That's kind of sad.
I thought this was going to be about Buffalo...
Heyyy. I live here :')
I feel bad for you.
I go like 5 time every summer
should come see Endicott, Binghamton and Johnson City New York...quite a story here.
Rb Artistry I heard that Binghamton, Endicott, and all the rest of the US 11, I-81 corridor including Syracuse and Watertown is very depressed and those cities are ravaged by rampant gang violence and severe poverty.
So... In Canada an abandoned place is a failure and an American place is just abandoned
Canadians are advertising in the comments about moving to Canada,
And I'm like, "What the fuck?"
Yes, The U.S.A the world's greatest country outclassed by Canada .
As a Canadian living about 45 minutes away from Niagara Falls it has always surprised me that the Canadian side is more commercial, more capitalistic and more "American" in its approach with tourism, casinos, cheesy museums and attractions. But perhaps your approach was too simplistic. The Canadian side actually has a better view of the falls. When you get away from the very dense tourist trap area you find that Niagara Region has many historical sites, parks and leisure areas. However, if you expand the region a little further on the U.S. side to Buffalo and the other smaller communities you see urban renewal. You see attempts at gentrification and economic diversification. Try comparing Buffalo and the outlying area with a Canadian industrial city like Hamilton. Often when I travel to Buffalo from Hamilton I see ideas that we might consider adopting for our urban renewal.
NIAGRA "FALLS" IT'S LIKE LOOKING AT THE GHOST TOWN IN PARADISE. PARADISE IN A PARKING LOT.
I FUCKING LOVE CANADA
If someone wanted to they could turn that city around: Las Vegas was carved out of desert. This would be more complicated cuz you’d first have to reclaim property from people unless the government claimed eminent domain. I’ve always thought it’d be interesting to have a city with 8 separate cultures within a few blocks with facade of France, Germany, Britain etc. One street one culture and by doing so create a travel destination. There’s poor people in Niagra but then again the narrative fails to point out that some of the happiest people are poor. But in our culture it’s always compare compare compare. Sad measuring stick. Cheers
Niagara Fails, NY
Andrew Luimes Gary Indiana on the Falls!
The Canadian side is amazing, better view of the falls and they have more things to do. An amusement park, Clifton Hill street which consists on fun house and 4-D Theaters and the Canadian side has way better shops and hotels. Also, the Skylon tower adds to the City's architectural beauty and provides amazing views from the top. Canadian side is SO much better
Do you understand urban decay in the US? Obviously not. It's not these people's fault, so stop trying to compare the two.
Canadian side... Overdeveloped...now in poor shape due to covit...right or wrong...too sad
hmmm
even if the Americans had pumped a lot of money into their side and even if there was an amazing development plan it would still be failing. think about it, if you're a tourist and you want to go see something epic do you want to see the crappy backside of it or the amazing beautiful side??
we've got the tourist here in Canada for the same reason the movie was shot in Canada Horseshoe Falls is on our side and we've got a great view of it.
and tourist rarely flock to places of massive industry, especially for natural beauty. by them deciding to put all that crap there they doomed the city to never be a tourist destination.....
AS NIAGARA FALLS WAS A MESSAGE PICTURE FROM RYERSON STUDENTS HEY WANNA WIND UP LIKE CATSKILLS?
It's not all beer and Skittles in Ontario my American Friends. We have a 70cent dollar and are taxed to death.
ever think it's also cause the Canadian view is better? was just there yesterday and your falls suck by contrast
I was always excited to one day cross the bridge to america side now not so much
Just look at Hamilton Ontario that’s another failed city and went to work on Toronto
The american dream lives on! but only in Canada... #socialism is why we aren't poverty stricken like our american counterparts. Meritocracy is BS because not everyone is capable of achieving what others can. Hard work is half of the equation.
Not half. Just a quarter.
On the Canadian side the strippers go bottomless, don't discount that effect on the local economy.
It is missing a nuclear power plant and a hydroelectric dam
Dammmmm ?
Rekt by Canada
+Elven /23 Actually it's pretty shitty on our side too...
+John Alexander how so?
Elven /23 Poor living conditions, high crime rates, if you leave the nice downtown core the rest of the city is horrible you would not want to be any where close to there.
It's not as bad as the American side but it's not much better either.
the guy didnt understand the reason we have more tourists on our canadian side is because we have a better view of the falls and also Niagara is one of only few big cities in Canada. Toronto is only a bit bigger than Chicago so im not sure why this guys sad about the other side being forgotten.
+Ben Baker There are way more cities in Canada that are bigger than Niagara. However, I can see your point as most of the big cities in the nation are of the 401 or 20 Highways.
oh i know there is but their all very spread out and none of them are really all that big compared to some of the USA's cities
I see it now. Sorry for the miscommunication.
Toronto is the 4th largest city on the continent, not sure what you are going on about.
Toronto is NOT bigger than Chicago....
Come to Canada's side and you'll be greeted by $15 burgers. Niagara Falls, Ontario is expensive thanks to the booming tourist trade that has expanded to Niagara on the Lake with vineyard tours and old 19th century building towns whose charms are washed up in tourist dollars. There is literally a tourist tax on all goods and services on top of our already 13% sales tax. Supposedly its to improve and promote the Falls but when places charge anywhere from a flat fee, or 3% - 10%, its hard not to call BS and say its just a money grab for extra profits.
First comment
don't be fooled by this, our Canadian Niagara Falls is also in poor economic shape and has many vacant lots, boarded up buildings, abandoned homes and low paying jobs. Leave the main strip and you will see it. All the surrounding towns are also in bad shape, fort erie, crystal beach etc. economic depression....
Is it really that bad? I'm from Hamilton. I would be interested in learning more.
$30,000 median income is higher than the national median.
Adur Pandya The median American income $52,000. It's $22,000 less than the Median income. Once you factor in P/R 20% ~ Gini = $38,000. This is still less than this median income by $8,000; and if the same were applied to Niagara Falls NY, then the median income drops to $26,000 which is still $12,000 less than the median income. The American actual median for everyday people is on par with that of Spain or England, whilst Niagara Falls NY is on par with that of Lithuania and Greece.
that's household income. I don't know which was being referred to here, but per capita is lower. Don't forget that this is New York.
Stupidest question ever..”why did you hang the American Flag”? Because these hard working Americans are proud of where they are from....
A river separates a shithole from a glory hole, sort of like the taint. Except in this case it's the taint that gets all the attention and the gloryhole is the place to be
I live in Niagara falls.. (Canada) and it's not that great. it is super boring if you live here
Zackary Migneault You should move if your bored.
I think Rochester Ny is more of a ghost town
first
Why not just let homeless people live in abandoned buildings to have a place to stay?
it's cause canada is better
there must be tourism tax at American side
Canada was no nature area on their side rather lame on that side
TheTrueATX nature smature. The Canadian side is far better, cleaner, and safer than the American side. You have seen one grove of trees and and open grassland, basically you have seen them all.
Fucking Canadian side is so boring plain wall on that side at least the US is right on close with an awesome park
The best view of the falls is from the Canadian side.
Haha, you guys still talking about the American dream.
You put all this effort into producing this ...and you still couldn’t even get the name of the city right?!?