THE LOCKPORT CAVE PRESENTATION

On April 4th, 2024 I will be presenting the history of the LOCKPORT CAVE,  Lockport, NY.  The early  history of the cave, the explorations, the stories that are generated because the cave was sealed in 1886.  The Underground Railroad, secret rooms, tunnels,...

The Natural Cave Under Lockport New York

With records going back to the early 1800’s there is good documentation of a natural cave under Lockport NY.  On April 19th at the Town of Lockport Town hall(6:30) I will be presenting my research on the famous cave sponsored by the Town of Lockport Historical...

Old Cider Mill, Rapids NY

The town of Lockport Historian, Jean Linn and I wrote an article for the Union Sun and Journal and the Niagara Falls Gazette, November 8, 2022 abou this historic mill in Rapida NY on the Tonawanda Creek.  The mill dates back to the mid 1800’s and is being...

Locktoberfest 10/1/2022-history

Great day at the Locktoberfest in Lockport NY. The Niagara County History Center and the Town of Lockport Historical Society set up a joint table with a Civil war clothing and equipment display and local history books. 8 hours of nonstop history discussions.

Lockport NY- Farmers Market

Set up a Vanishing Past booth at the Farmers Market today. I talked to a lot of people about local history and sold 15 local history books. -Jim

Devil’s Hole Mystery Cave, Niagara Falls NY

I went with our famous local cave explorer Scott Ensminger on Sunday to take one more look at the Devil’s Hole cave.  Much has been written about his cave on the cliffs over the Niagara River but questions remain.   It was originally 3/4 mile long now it is 42...

History at the Locktoberfest, 2022, Lockport NY

The Niagara County Historical Society and the Town of Lockport Historical Society are teaming up to provide a community history table on October 1st at the Locktoberfest.  Local artifacts will be displayed and history questions answered.

Lockport Community/Farmers Market-update

I set up the Vanishing Past booth Saturday the 6th of August, 2022.  A light crowd because of the Niagara County Fair.  However there were a number of people interested in history and I was asked some tough questions as people responded to my History Question?,...

Poor House Records

I have had 5 inquiries about relatives at the Niagara County Poor House(s)-there were two Poor Houses.  The spreadsheet is working well to quickly look up death records.  Jim Boles

The Lockport, New York Cave.

As the legend goes settlers in early 1800’s learned of the Lockport Cave from Native Americans, at that time, it was known as Devil’s Cave, there was an entrance on the west bank of 18-mile creek.  The present location would be near Cave Street off East Avenue.  It...

Notes on Visiting the Springs

Note on Visiting the Springs Many of the springs described in this blog are on private property, and you may need permission; often there will be posted signs. I have tried to indicate if the springs can be visited, but access often changes. The water quality varies...

Stories from the Springs Preview of Intro

This article is a preview of “Stories from The Springs” an historical book that was  released in 2020 by Vanishing Past Press. This publication will document the many tales from the historic springs in the Niagara Region. In the past I published under the “Abandoned...