Brochure for Wabash Railway's Excursions, "See Niagara Falls, America's Greatest Wonder," 1929

Summary

The Wabash Railway, with origins dating back to 1838, was a strong Midwestern carrier until Amtrak took over the national passenger railroad system in 1971. Niagara Falls was one of America's earliest and most popular tourist attractions. To compete with automobiles, the Wabash Railway offered in this 1929 brochure convenient excursion trips with economical fares to this popular attraction.

The Wabash Railway, with origins dating back to 1838, was a strong Midwestern carrier until Amtrak took over the national passenger railroad system in 1971. Niagara Falls was one of America's earliest and most popular tourist attractions. To compete with automobiles, the Wabash Railway offered in this 1929 brochure convenient excursion trips with economical fares to this popular attraction.

The Wabash Railway, with origins dating back to 1838, was a strong Midwestern carrier until Amtrak took over the national passenger railroad system in 1971.

Some of the earliest tourist resorts grew up around natural wonders that had been visited since the late 18th century. The most popular of these was "America's greatest wonder" Niagara Falls. It had already been established as a must-see tourist site before the Erie Canal was completed in 1825, but its access was limited to the wealthy, who could expend time and money to take an overland stagecoach on poor to nonexistent roads. After the Erie Canal was completed, throngs of visitors reached Niagara Falls, and the spot became quickly commercialized by souvenir vendors, guides, boat operators, and photographers.

Tourists continued to visit Niagara Falls in droves through the 20th century. It became an especially popular place for honeymooners. Tourists arrived by rail and, increasingly, by automobile. In an effort to compete with automobiles, the Wabash Railway offered convenient excursion trips with economical fares in its 1929 brochure. This is also an indication that the vacation audience was broadening. The brochure describes the advantages of the city of Niagara Falls, which offered "every modern convenience of city life for the visitor" and "many modern comfortable and home-like hotels."

Detailed Description
Artifact

Brochure

Date Made

1929

Subject Date

1929

 On Exhibit

By Request in the Benson Ford Research Center

Object ID

2012.67.5

Credit

From the Collections of The Henry Ford. Gift in Memory of John A. Barrett.

Material

Paper (Fiber product)

Color

Black-and-white (Colors)

Dimensions

Height: 6.125 in

Width: 3.5 in

Inscriptions

Text on front of image: See / NIAGARA / FALLS / America's / Greatest Wonder / Very Low Fare / EXCURSIONS ... Wabash

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