In 1913, U.S. Brig Niagara-- the flagship of Oliver Hazard Perry in the 1813 Battle of Lake Erie--was reconstructed with the original keel and a few timbers and towed to larger cities from Chicago to Buffalo.

Designed by Frank Kirby and built at the Buffalo Dry Dock Company on Ganson Street, the coal-fired steamship Canadiana was one of the "Crystal Beach boats."

The idea of a bridge joining Canada and the United States between Buffalo and Fort Erie was discussed as early as 1853.

Ferry service between the Buffalo and Fort Erie banks of the Niagara River dates back to 1796. Many settlers crossed into Canada from Buffalo via ferry.