"North Tonawanda: A Great Place to Visit" by Donna Zellner Neal

Once a major lumber and industrial center with ships and railroads shipping and receiving raw materials and manufactured products which were known for their quality around the world, this 15th largest city in New York State, is considered by its residents to be “the best little city in New York.” A little city with a small town atmosphere, it is a bedroom community with a rapidly developing cultural tourism focus centered on its magnificent waterfront.

Located at the juncture of the historic Erie Canal with the mighty Niagara River, the city is the home of the Herschell Carrousel Factory Museum, the historic Riviera Theatre, the Carnegie Art Center (all housed in structures listed on the National Register of Historic Sites), Ghostlight Theatre (housed in a historic church building), Buffalo Suzuki Strings Musical Arts Center (housed in an E. B. Green designed building), the Railroad Museum , and the new North Tonawanda History Museum . The city's post office building is also listed on the National Register of Historic Sites.

This lovely little city with a small town atmosphere is host to thousands of boaters and other visitors from all over the world during the boating season. From its Gateway Park on the Erie Canal and its two Niagara River parks, Fisherman's Park and Gratwick-Riverside Park , it offers a wonderful waterfront experience. From Shore's Waterfront Restaurant on Tonawanda Island in the Little River, the view is magnificent. Further east along the Canal are Mayor's Park and the North Tonawanda Botanical Gardens , just north of East Robinson Street , which includes a boat launch. A hidden jewel along the Canal is a privately operated wilderness campground, the Donald F. Miller Memorial Park , operated by the Nor-Ton Red Jacket Club. This 25-acre park offers hiking trails, canoeing, and other recreational activities for youth groups using the facilities on a rental basis. Overnight indoor facilities and outdoor camping opportunities are available.

Shopping areas include Budwey's Plaza, accessible from the 425; Mid-City Plaza , at Payne Avenue and Meadow Drive ; and the Historic DowNTown Shopping District, centered on Webster Street . The DowNTown Shopping District offers a unique eclectic mix of small shops, restaurants, and cultural venues, including the Riviera Theatre, Buffalo Suzuki Strings Musical Arts Center , and Partners in Art Galleries & Studios. Project Pride, a group of volunteers, provides flowers throughout the downtown area and other areas of the city. Oliver Street Pride, a similar group of volunteers, has created Ponies on Parade along Oliver Street . Carrousel horses decorated to depict businesses from the city's history sit atop poles at various locations along the street. A year-round Farmers' Market has operated at Robinson Street and Payne Avenue since the early 1900's.

During the summer months, the Chamber of Commerce of the Tonawandas presents free weekly concerts in Gateway Park on Wednesday evenings. The North Tonawanda History Museum hosts sixteen weeks of Seaway Trail Walks also on Wednesday evenings, beginning at 5 p.m. at the Herschell Carrousel Factory Museum , taking walkers on a historical walking tour of the city. The Museum also offers history walks as field trips for teachers and students, and is developing Haunted History Walks in the Haunted Forest for three Friday evenings in October as part of the Niagara Tourism & Convention Corporation October Frights & Sights program. These walks, including a haunted tea and a haunted hayride, will take place in the Botanical Gardens. The Museum is also serving as community lead for the Tonawandas for Doors Open Niagara 2005, a bi-national 2-day event set for October 15 and 16, during which facilities with historical and/or architectural significance open their doors to the public. The Museum hopes to get significant participation to make the Town of Tonawanda , the City of Tonawanda , and North Tonawanda the destination of choice for a large majority of the participants in this year's weekend event.

On Friday evenings, the Chamber of Commerce hosts free weekly concerts on the Tonawanda side of the Canal. Runway Productions presents free weekly Saturday evening concerts in Gateway Park.

The North Tonawanda History Museum is also producing its first Historic Treasures Tour for July 31, a walking/driving tour of ten of the city's historical homes, five of its historical churches, and three additional historical buildings. A Cinderella carriage ride and a Towpath tea are optional components of this all-day event, planned to become a bi-annual event. The Museum is sponsoring a Historic Gardens Contest this year, and a Lumber City Scavenger Hunt to encourage people to visit city businesses to obtain the answer to a question answerable only by a visit to the business. An Ethnic Heritage Festival is planned for October 7, 2006.

A weeklong outdoor festival, Canal Fest of the Tonawandas, is in its 22nd year. This year's Canal Fest will be July 17 – 24. The week's events include a 2-day craft show, food, games, rides, music and other entertainment of all kinds, a car cruise, a biker night, a golf tournament, and the longest parade in Western New York.

For further information on North Tonawanda , visit the Chamber of Commerce of the Tonawandas at 15 Webster Street or their website at www.the-tonawandas.com. The Chamber produces an annual “Tourist Tattler,” which includes schedules of events and concerts and information on places to visit and things to do in the Twin Cities of Tonawanda and North Tonawanda . The two cities share the Erie Canal as their border.

Article: Courtesy of Museum volunteer Director, Donna Zellner Neal; Photos: Courtesy: Downtown Merchants Association of North Tonawanda

Historical marker in North Tonawanda's new Gateway Park on Sweeney Street.

Sign directing visitors to the Historic DowNTown Shopping District. This one located at the corner of Sweeney Street and Main Street.