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47-534: Founded in 1903 as "the Development and Funding Company" by Elon Huntington Hooker , of Rochester, NY, the company used the Townsend cell to electrolyse salt into chlorine and sodium hydroxide (NaOH), also known as "caustic soda" and "lye," in a chloralkali process . Elmer Sperry, founder of Sperry Electric, and Leo Baekeland , inventor of Bakelite and Velox photographic paper, consulted Hooker to improve

94-577: A plea deal after Anello pleaded guilty to unrelated charges of pension fraud, regarding a pension from the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers , of which he is a member. He was sentenced to 10 to 16 months in prison. The city's decline received national exposure from Bloomberg Businessweek in 2010. On November 30, 2010, the New York State Attorney General entered into an agreement with

141-496: A catalyst for already hostile native tribes to turn to open warfare in competition for the fur trade. The City of Niagara Falls was incorporated on March 17, 1892, from the villages of Manchester and Suspension Bridge, which were parts of the Town of Niagara . Thomas Vincent Welch , a member of the charter committee and a New York state assemblyman and a second-generation Irish American , persuaded Governor Roswell P. Flower to sign

188-607: A chemical landfill beneath it forced United States President Jimmy Carter to declare a state of emergency , the first such presidential declaration made for a non-natural disaster. Hundreds of residents were evacuated from the area, many of whom were ill because of exposure to chemical waste. After the Love Canal disaster, the city—which had already been declining in population for nearly two decades—experienced accelerated economic and political difficulties. The costs of manufacturing elsewhere had become less expensive, which led to

235-427: A large number of workers, many of whom were immigrants. In 1927, the city annexed the village of La Salle, named for Robert de la Salle, from the Town of Niagara . Industry and tourism grew steadily throughout the first half of the 20th century due to a high demand for industrial products and the increased mobility of people to travel. Paper, rubber, plastics, petrochemicals, carbon insulators and abrasives were among

282-560: A public square named Cataract Commons opened on Old Falls Street. It is a public space for outdoor events and activities. The city has multiple properties on the National Register of Historic Places . It also has three national historic districts , including Chilton Avenue-Orchard Parkway Historic District , Deveaux School Historic District and the Park Place Historic District . Niagara Falls

329-724: A retail store at 105 Hudson St, New York, NY, and factories in Albany, NY. Hooker sold the business in 1927. Hooker built a new chloralkali plant in Tacoma, WA in 1929. Additional products, including sodium sulfide , sodium sulfhydrate , sodium tetrasulfide , and aluminum chloride were produced by the company. In World War II, Hooker was a leading supplier of dodecyl mercaptan for the synthesis of rubber. The company also produced arsenic trichloride , thionyl chloride , and hexachlorobenzene . Hooker expanded into plastics manufacturing, developing epoxy vinyl ester resins , and in 1955 acquired

376-610: A thermoset plastic phenolic resins business, called Durez Corp. Occidental Petroleum Corporation purchased Hooker Chemical Company in 1968. Since then, owners have renamed the company several times. In 2002, filmmaker David J. Ruck told the story of the Hooker Chemical Company and its environmental negligence in Montague, Michigan, in the documentary film, This is Not a Chocolate Factory . The films, The Killing Ground and A Fierce Green Fire, also explore

423-554: A thunderstorm. As of the census of 2010, there were 50,193 people, 22,603 households, and 12,495 families residing in the city. The population density was 2,987.7 people per square mile (1,153.5 per square km). There were 26,220 housing units at an average density of 1,560.7 per square mile (602.6/km ). The racial makeup of the city was 70.5% White , 21.6% African American , 1.9% Native American , 1.2% Asian , 0% Pacific Islander , 0.8% from other races , and 3.9% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 3.0% of

470-690: Is adjacent to the Niagara River , across from the city of Niagara Falls, Ontario , and named after the famed Niagara Falls which they share. The city is within the Buffalo–Niagara Falls metropolitan area and the Western New York region. While the city was formerly inhabited by Native Americans, Europeans who migrated to the Niagara Falls in the mid-17th century began to open businesses and develop infrastructure. Later in

517-558: Is at the international boundary between the United States and Canada. The city is within the Buffalo–Niagara Falls metropolitan area and is approximately 16 miles (26 km) from Buffalo, New York . According to the United States Census Bureau , the city has an area of 16.9 square miles (44 km ), of which 14.1 square miles (37 km ) (83.43%) is land and 2.8 square miles (7.3 km ) (16.57%)

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564-522: Is published quarterly. The Messenger Of Niagara Falls, NY , which is officially Niagara Falls, New York's, first black-owned and operated news publication, founded October 2018. The Messenger Of Niagara Falls, NY published its inaugural issue April 2019. The Buffalo News is the closest major newspaper in the area. The city also is the home to a weekly tabloid known as the Niagara Falls Reporter . Three radio stations are licensed to

611-549: Is represented by Congressman Brian Higgins . In the United States Senate , the city and the state are represented by senators Charles Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand . Founded in 1892 Niagara Falls Police Department provide local law enforcement in the city with 155 sworn officers. This force is not to be mistaken for the Town of Niagara, New York which has a smaller force founded in 1954. Residents are zoned to

658-548: Is water. The city is built along the Niagara Falls and the Niagara Gorge , which is next to the Niagara River . Niagara Falls has a humid continental climate ( Dfa ). The city experiences cold, snowy winters and very warm, humid summers. Precipitation is moderate and consistent in all seasons, falling equally or more as snow during the winter. The city has snowier than average winters compared to most cities in

705-414: The Niagara Falls Reporter . Union boss Michael "Butch" Quarcini died before trial, while the rest of the union leadership was sentenced to prison. In early 2010, former Niagara Falls Mayor Vincenzo Anello was indicted on federal charges of corruption , alleging the mayor accepted $ 40,000 in loans from a businessman who was later awarded a no-bid lease on city property. The charges were dropped as part of

752-827: The Bridal Veil Falls , Maid of the Mist , a popular boat tour which operates at the foot of the Rainbow Bridge , Prospect Point and its observation tower , Niagara Discovery Center, Niagara Falls Underground Railroad Heritage Center , and the Aquarium of Niagara . Several other attractions also near the river, including Whirlpool State Park , De Veaux Woods State Park , Earl W. Brydges Artpark State Park in nearby Lewiston (town), New York , and Fort Niagara State Park in Youngstown, New York . Attractions in

799-879: The Gridiron Developmental Football League are a minor league football team based in Niagara Falls. The team played their inaugural season in 2021. In 2017, the Tier III junior North American 3 Hockey League team, the Lockport Express, relocated to Niagara Falls as the Niagara Falls PowerHawks. Former sports teams based in Niagara Falls include the Class-A Niagara Falls Sox, the Class-A Niagara Falls Rapids ,

846-651: The Niagara Falls City School District . Niagara University and Niagara County Community College are the two colleges in Niagara County. Since Niagara Falls is within the Buffalo–Niagara Falls metropolitan area , the city's media is predominantly served by the city of Buffalo. The city has two local newspapers, the Niagara Gazette , which is published daily except Tuesday and The Messenger Of Niagara Falls, NY which

893-558: The Reform Jewish Temple Beth El. The Conservative Jewish Temple Beth Israel closed in 2012. Niagara Falls has struggled with high rates of violent and property crime ; FBI crime data indicate that the city has among the highest crime rates in New York state. In response to gun violence, volunteer groups such as Operation SNUG mobilized to promote positive community involvement in the troubled areas of

940-452: The 18th and 19th centuries, scientists and businessmen began harnessing the power of the Niagara River for electricity and the city began to attract manufacturers and other businesses drawn by the promise of inexpensive hydroelectric power. After the 1960s, however, the city and region experienced an economic decline. As industries left the region, affluent and middle-class families relocated from Niagara Falls to other metropolitan areas around

987-459: The Canadian side has a greater average annual income, a higher average home price, and lower levels of vacant buildings and blight , as well as a more vibrant economy and better tourism infrastructure. The population of Niagara Falls, New York fell by half from the 1960s to 2012. In contrast, the population of Niagara Falls, Ontario more than tripled. In 2000, the city's median household income

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1034-594: The Canadian side is the closest airport offering long-haul international flights for the Niagara region. The city is served by Amtrak 's Maple Leaf and Empire train services, with regular stops at the Niagara Falls Station and Customhouse Interpretive Center at 825 Depot Ave West. Niagara Frontier Transportation Authority is the public transit provider in the Buffalo metro area, with hubs at

1081-762: The Niagara Falls Lancers of the Midwest Football League , and the Western New York Thundersnow of the Premier Basketball League and American Basketball Association . The City of Niagara Falls functions under a strong mayor-council form of government. The government consists of a mayor, a professional city administrator, and a city council. The current mayor is Robert Restaino. The city council serves four-year, staggered terms, except in

1128-558: The State of New York established the USA Niagara Development Corporation, a subsidiary to the State's economic development agency, to focus specifically on facilitating development in the downtown area. However, the organization has been criticized for making little progress and doing little to improve the city's economy. From 1973 to 2002, the city had a Convention and Civic Center on 4th street. In 2002

1175-520: The Townsend cell using the hydro electric power of the nearby power plants. The company was located on Buffalo Avenue, Niagara Falls, New York . In 1968 it was bought by Occidental Petroleum Corporation . Niagara Falls, New York Niagara Falls is a city in Niagara County, New York , United States. As of the 2020 census , the city had a total population of 48,671. It

1222-521: The US, however less than many other cities in Upstate New York including nearby Buffalo and Rochester. Thaw cycles with temperatures above 32 °F (0 °C) are a common occurrence. The hottest and coldest temperatures recorded in the decade through 2015 were 97 °F (36 °C) in 2005 and −13 °F (−25 °C) in 2003, respectively. 38% of warm season precipitation falls in the form of

1269-553: The area was Frenchman Robert de la Salle , who built Fort Conti at the mouth of the Niagara River early in 1679, with permission from the Iroquois , as a base for boatbuilding; his ship Le Griffon was built on the upper Niagara River at or near Cayuga Creek in the same year. He was accompanied by Belgian priest Louis Hennepin , who was the first known European to see the falls. The influx of newcomers may have been

1316-406: The average family size was 4.02. In the city, 22% of the population was under the age of 18, 10.1% aged from 18 to 24, 24.2% from 25 to 44, 28.2% from 45 to 64, and 15.5% were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females, there were 91.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 94.4 males. The median income for a household in the city was $ 26,800, and

1363-421: The bill on St. Patrick's Day . George W. Wright was elected the first mayor of Niagara Falls . By the end of the 19th century, the city was heavily industrialized, due in part to the power potential offered by the Niagara River . Tourism was considered a secondary niche, while manufacturing of petrochemicals , abrasives , metallurgical products and other materials was the main producer of jobs and attracted

1410-446: The case of a special election. It is headed by a chairperson, who votes in all items for council action. On a state level, Niagara Falls is part of the 145th Assembly District of New York State, represented by Republican Angelo Morinello . Niagara Falls is also part of the 62nd Senate District of New York State, represented by Republican Robert Ortt . On a national level, the city is part of New York's 26th congressional district and

1457-430: The city and its police department to create new policies to govern police practices in response to claims of excessive force and police misconduct. The city committed to create policies and procedures to prevent and respond to allegations of excessive force, and to ensure police are properly trained and complaints are properly investigated. Prior claims filed by residents will be evaluated by an independent panel. In 2020,

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1504-553: The city of Niagara Falls, including WHLD AM 1270, WEBR AM 1440, and WTOR AM 770. Niagara Falls is primarily served by the Buffalo Niagara International Airport for regional and domestic flights within the United States. The recently expanded Niagara Falls International Airport serves the city, and many cross border travellers with flights to Myrtle Beach, Fort Lauderdale, Orlando and Punta Gorda. Toronto 's Pearson International Airport on

1551-637: The city's major industries. This prosperity would end by the late 1960s as aging industrial plants moved to less expensive locations. In addition, the falls were incompatible with modern shipping technology. In 1956, the Schoellkopf Power Plant on the lower river just downstream of the American Falls was critically damaged by the collapse of the Niagara Gorge wall above it. This prompted the planning and construction of one of

1598-538: The city. Niagara Falls' main industry is tourism, driven primarily by the waterfalls. A 2012 profile from the Office of the New York State Comptroller reported that Niagara Falls has "struggled through decades of population losses, rising crime and repeated attempts to reinvent itself from a manufacturing town with some tourism to a major tourist destination." The city became a boomtown with

1645-471: The closure of several factories. The city's population eventually dropped by more than half of its peak, as workers fled the city in search of jobs elsewhere. Then, much like the nearby city of Buffalo, the city's economy plummeted when a failed urban renewal project destroyed Falls Street and the tourist district. In 2001, the leadership of Laborers Local 91 was found guilty of extortion , racketeering and other crimes following an exposé by Mike Hudson of

1692-485: The country. Due to the loss of jobs in the region, especially in the manufacturing sector, the city has gone from over 102,000 residents in 1960 to approximately 48,000 residents in 2020, a population drop of more than 50%. Before Europeans entered the area, it was dominated by the Neutral Nation of Native Americans. European migration into the area began in the 17th century. The first recorded European to visit

1739-584: The design of the cell. The company was sited in Niagara Falls, NY foremost because of the low-cost electricity from the Niagara Falls power project , but also because of the abundance of salt from nearby mines, and availability of water from the Niagara River. Chlorine, used for sanitation and the chlorination of drinking water, was sold as chlorinated lime and chlorobenzene , which was an ingredient for an explosive used in World War I. Later, solvents like trichloroethylene and phenol were sold for use by

1786-565: The downtown include the Seneca Niagara Casino & Hotel and Pine Avenue which was historically home to a large Italian American population and is now known as Little Italy for its abundance of shops and quality restaurants. The Niagara Power of the New York Collegiate Baseball League play at Sal Maglie Stadium . The team is owned by Niagara University . The Cataract City Wolverines of

1833-477: The history of several of Hooker Chemical's dumping sites and the Love Canal tragedy. Hundreds of deaths have been blamed on the company’s environmental negligence. PBS’s American Experience broadcast “Poisoned Ground: The Tragedy at Love Canal” on April 22, 2024, A Madrona Productins Film copyright 2024 WGBH. Elon Huntington Hooker Elon Huntington Hooker (December 23, 1869 – May 10, 1938)

1880-521: The largest hydroelectric plants to be built in North America to that time, generating a large influx of workers and families to the area. New York City urban planner Robert Moses built the new power plant in nearby Lewiston, New York . Much of the power generated there fueled growing demands for power in downstate New York and New York City. The neighborhood of Love Canal gained national media attention in 1978 when toxic waste contamination from

1927-545: The median income for a family was $ 34,377. Males had a median income of $ 31,672 versus $ 22,124 for females. 23% of the population was below the poverty line. Niagara Falls has a number of places of worship, including the Salvation Army, First Assembly of God Church, First Unitarian Universalist Church of Niagara , St. Peter's Episcopal Church, First Presbyterian Church, St. Theresa Roman Catholic Church in Deveaux, and

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1974-499: The opening of the New York State Power Authority 's hydroelectric Niagara Power Plant in the 1960s; the cheap electricity produced by the plant generated power for a burgeoning manufacturing industry. Along with the rest of Western New York , Niagara Falls suffered a significant economic decline from a decline in industry by the 1970s. Today, the city struggles to compete with Niagara Falls, Ontario ;

2021-410: The population. There were 22,603 households, out of which 23.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 29.8% were married couples living together, 19.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 44.7% were non-families. 38.1% of all households were made up of individuals, and 13.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.20 and

2068-410: The subsidiary degreasing and dry cleaning company Detrex. Hooker licensed his diaphragm cell technology to other chloralkali producers. In 1918, Hooker formed a company to hydrogenate vegetable oils, while Hooker Chemical also began producing sulfur chloride and sodium chlorate . In 1922, Hooker bought the S. Wander & Sons Company for the retail sales of lye and chlorinated lime. Samuel Wander had

2115-531: The venue was converted into the Seneca Niagara Casino & Hotel . In 2004, a new Niagara Falls Convention Center (NFCC) opened on Old Falls Street. The Old Falls Street venue has 116,000 square feet for exhibitions and meetings, and a 32,200-square-foot event/exhibit hall. The city is home to the Niagara Falls State Park . The park has several attractions, including Cave of the Winds behind

2162-628: Was 36% below the national average. In 2012, the city's unemployment rate was significantly higher than the statewide unemployment rate. Significant sources of economic activity in the region includes the Niagara Falls International Airport , which was renovated in 2009; the Seneca Gaming Corporation 's Seneca Niagara Casino & Hotel , which opened in the 2000s respectively; and the nearby Niagara Falls Air Reserve Station . In late 2001,

2209-642: Was the founder of Hooker Electrochemical Company . From a New England family, Elon Hooker obtained degrees in civil engineering from the University of Rochester and Cornell University . In 1912, he was named treasurer of the Progressive Party . In 1920, he unsuccessfully sought the Republican Party nomination for Governor of New York . The company was opened in 1905 and produced chlor-alkali chemicals by electrolysis of salt with

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