History Hound Travels

Who can resist a virtual trip to Niagara Falls? This quintessential honeymoon destination is actually comprised of three separate waterfalls and two merged but distinct cities, one in Canada and one in the US, and was the setting of Niagara starring Marilyn Monroe and Wonderfalls (a television series). The falls also provide hydro-electric power to both Ontario and New York.

Daredevils from 22 to 63 have gone over the falls on purpose, and the youngest purpose to go over by accident was just seven years old! It is now illegal to go over the falls, but people still do it occasionally. The last person to go over was Kirk Jones in 2003. Now, I have to tell you that while I would like to go to Niagara Falls, I have zero desire to go over them.

Should you wish to go, I invite you to check out this site for Niagara Falls Hotels. I like this site because in addition to the hotel listings, you can find good articles about your intended destination. Just look in the right hand sidebar for links, or start with this Niagara Falls travel guide. You’ll find enough information there to get started on your planning, and then click the links on the right even more information.

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The maps are for sale. Looking at the marvelous pictures of them is free. Antique Maps are as much works of art as sources of information. Inaccuracies aside, they are worth studying for a couple of reasons.The first I have already alluded to- they are simply beautiful. It’s obvious that early mapmakers took great pride in their work, much like those who made illuminated manuscripts.

Secondly, it gives us a pictorial representation of what those who came before us actually thought the world looked like. It’s easier to understand the ideas of Copernicus, for instance, if we can see what he “saw”.

Anyway, enjoy the site, whether for the beauty or for the education.

Kindergarten, that is. Did you know that the first kindergarten in the United States was started by German settlers in Columbus Ohio? I didn’t either, and that’s not the only little tidbit I picked up this morning. I needed to find some info on locksmith Columbus and found all this, too:

• Over 2,000 Confederate Soldiers are buried at what was Camp Chase. This Civil War base housed 26,000 Northern soldiers and over 8,000 Confederate prisoners of war.
• Columbus was once known as the buggy capital of the world because of all the buggy manufacturers located there, including the Columbus Buggy Company, which was founded in 1875 by C.D. Firestone. You recognize that name, I’m sure.
• Columbus was once served by at least eight railroad lines, but now has no rail service at all. It’s famous Union Station was razed in 1979 to make way for the Greater Columbus Convention Center.
• Wendy’s and White Castle both started in Columbus.

Umm, yeah. Now that you mention it, I do have a problem with getting sidetracked. But I know a lot of neat stuff!