The Burning Springs
NIAGARA'S FIRST TOURIST ATTRACTION
The Burning Spring was located along the river where Dufferin Islands are now. The Burning Spring was a natural gas vent along the river’s shore. Early visitors to Niagara Falls would pay a fee to observe this phenomenon of nature.
The keeper of the spring, Mr. M.J.Conklin, would charge 12 cents for visitors to view the burning spring. Mr. Conklin would place a barrel with a pipe protruding from the top. A cork stopper was then placed in the pipe. When enough customers had gathered, the cork would then be removed allowing the gas to escape. The gas would then be ignited creating a “burning spring”.
