A natural cave was located behind Bridal Veil Falls at Niagara Falls called Cave of the Winds. The cave was originally discovered in 1834. This is a 130-foot-high cave with a 100-foot width and a 30-foot depth. Tours were officially begun in 1841, through Goat Island and into the cave closer to the falls. An accident that closed the tour in 1920 was caused by a rock fall. Niagara Falls is made up of three waterfalls, including Goat Island.
A series of decks and walkways brought visitors in front of the Bridal Veil instead of behind it in 1924. The winds can reach up to 109 km/h underneath the falls, creating tropical storm-like conditions. During a massive rockfall in 1954, the cave was obliterated and a dangerous overhang was dynamited.
There is a tourist attraction called Cave of the Winds near the site today. At the base of the American Falls, an elevator takes people down to the Niagara River from the area between the American and Canadian Falls. Water crashes directly down on redwood decks and platforms at Bridal Veil Falls, allowing sightseers to walk right up to the base.
Due to ice buildup at the falls, the decking is removed each fall by park officials and re-installed in the spring to allow sightseers to enjoy the view. Supports for the wood beams are wedged into crevices in the rocks and are not attached with bolts or other construction materials.
Goat island is located on the American side of the island. The American Falls are separated from it by Luna Island, while the Horseshoe Falls are separated by Goat Island. Bridal Veil Falls can be accessed from the Cave of the Winds attraction. The crest of the falls is located several meters (yards) upstream from a pedestrian bridge that connects Goat Island to Luna Island.
The New York Cave of the Winds – An early 19th-century image of the entrance to the Cave of the Winds. Photo Credit – Wikipedia
