VISIONARY: Thomas V. Welch was instrumental in creating the Falls state park

Local News

Related Photos

SUBMITTED PHOTO

August 3, 2008

Staff Reports The Niagara Gazette Sun Aug 03, 2008, 11:49 PM EDT

When making a list of the men and women who shaped Niagara County, prominent on the list should be the name of the Hon. Thomas Vincent Welch, the “Father of Free Niagara.” Perhaps no other name better represents the success of the movement in the late 19th century to acquire the collection of carnival-like private lands that adjoined Niagara Falls and turn them into the first and greatest state park, making them free for all mankind to view forever.

Welch was a self-made man from humble origins. Born in 1850 in Onondaga County near Syracuse, his limited public education prepared him for his early role as farmer and time-keeper for the New York Central Railroad. But it was his perseverance and initiative that elevated him to a position of prominence, first in village politics as clerk, trustee and later supervisor and chairman of the county’s Board of Supervisors. From there, Welch progressed to member of the state Assembly, where he became a friend of Theodore Roosevelt. He campaigned extensively for the presidential candidacy of Grover Cleveland, who came to office in 1885 at the peak of the Free Niagara Movement and who, with the help of Frederick Law Olmstead, sought to return Niagara Falls to its natural pristine condition. Cleveland nominated Welch as the first superintendent of the Niagara Reservation Commission, a position he held until his death in 1903.

Welch was a driving force behind, and wrote, the first charter for the City of Niagara Falls that formally combined the villages of Niagara Falls and Suspension Bridge. To honor Welch’s Irish heritage, the official incorporation was delayed one day so the event could take place on St. Patrick’s Day, 1892. In addition to this civic work, Welch was one of the original “movers and shakers” who spurred the creation of the Niagara Power Company to begin to use the mechanical energy of the Niagara River to generate electricity.

The last chapter of Welch’s amazing life was written in October 1903, when he passed away. His desk at the Niagara Reservation Park was draped in black, and the newspaper remarked, “All of Niagara Falls will follow the remains to the grave.” Even the schools in the Falls were closed so the teachers and students could pay their respect to the “Father of Free Niagara.”

Niagara County’s Bicentennial Moments are compiled by Douglas Farley, development director of the Niagara County Historical Society, and Ann Marie Linnabery, assistant director. For more information on the Niagara County Bicentennial celebration, to become a Bicentennial sponsor or to partner your business, school or community events with the Bicentennial, call 439-7026 or visit: http://www.niagara2008.com.

Text Only | Photo Reprints

Local News

Child run over be car on Niagara Avenue
Falls Traffic Division investigators said an 11-year-old boy was struck after he darted into the street, in front of a car as it pulled away from a stop sign.

February 9, 2012 2 Photos
Militello paid $50K to leave Niagara-Wheatfield
Former Niagara-Wheatfield Superintendent Carl Militello is receiving a $50,000 from the district, according to a separation settlement agreed to on Feb. 1.

February 9, 2012 1 Photo
Autopsy unable to determine cause or time of Judith Burr’s death
An autopsy by an Erie County Medical Examiner has failed to determine either the time of death or the cause of death of Judith Burr.

February 9, 2012 1 Photo
Gerber resigns from SPCA board; calls for adding veterinarian to staff
A Town of Niagara veterinarian and long-time member of the SPCA of Niagara Board of Directors has stepped down.
Dr. William Gerber submitted his resignation on Tuesday. It was effective immediately.

February 9, 2012
Has NYPA relicensing agreement led to a revival?
A state senator is calling for an audit of the low-cost power and cash used in the last seven years by Niagara County entities that have shared in the benefits of the 50-year relicensing agreement with the New York Power Authority.

February 9, 2012 1 Photo
Joseph Davis State Park gets some green
Officials in the Town of Lewiston received approval Thursday to spend a significant portion of the community’s incoming greenway funds on the redevelopment of Joseph Davis State Park.

February 9, 2012 5 Photos
Search continues for Falls jumper
State Park Police were still searching Thursday for a Falls man who jumped from the rapids bridge at Goat Island on Wednesday morning.

February 9, 2012
NU gets helping hand for campus projects
A new county entity formed to help organizations secure bond financing agreed on Wednesday to assist Niagara University in the development of its new science center, a proposed refurbishment at Meade Hall and other campus improvements totaling $48 million.

February 9, 2012 1 Photo
One Niagara tax break denied
It’s a no-go for a proposed tax break at One Niagara.
At least for now.

February 9, 2012 1 Photo
County IDA adds local hiring clause
From now on, applicants seeking assistance through the Niagara County Industrial Development Agency will be expected to demonstrate their “best efforts” in hiring local workers for subsidized projects.

February 9, 2012
More Local News Headlines

Do you think cigarette sales to non-Native American customers should be taxed on reservations?