These picturesque islands have also been known as the "Moss Islands" because fine growths of moss once covered their rocks. The smooth surfaces of the rocks and the great number of potholes are clues that these islands were once submerged beneath the rapids. In recent years, the islands have increased in size because of the diversion of water upriver for the hydroelectric power plants.
The Three Sisters Islands were named for the daughters of Parkhurst Whitney, a local businessman and a decorated War of 1812 veteran. In the spring of 1816, when ice jams in the shallow rapids created natural bridges between the islands, Whitney took his three daughters on a walk out to the farthest island. Whitney was so proud of the success of their adventure, that he convinced Augustus Porter, the islands' new owner, to name them after his daughters. The nearest was named Asenath, the next, Angeline, and the farthest Celinda Eliza. The island adjacent to Celinda Eliza is called "Little Brother," after the Whitney daughters' brother Solon.
In 1829, Francis Abbott, a young Englishman, came to Niagara Falls on a visit and was so taken by the beauty of the area that he decided to stay. He took up residence in a small cabin on the mainland close to the American Falls. There he lived as a hermit, spending his days writing and painting. Abbott often bathed in the cascade between Goat Island and Asenath Island, thus its name, "Hermit's Cascade."
[Photo captions, from top left around to top right, read]
Parkhurst Whitney • Bridge to 1st Sister Island. "Hermit's Cascade" is in the background. • Asenath Whitney • Suspension bridge to 2nd Sister Island • Angeline Whitney • Goat Island and Three Sisters Islands looking from Canada, ca. 1868 postcard.
Images courtesy of Niagara Falls Public Library.
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