Rock of Ages and Cave of the Winds, Niagara Falls, NY, 1939

Subjects: National & State Parks Rivers & Streams
Card type: Lithograph
Date: c. 1939 (Linen)

Back of Rock of Ages and Cave of the Winds, Niagara Falls, NY, 1939, Miss Ruth Stokel, NY, USA, c. 1939 lithograph postcard — Back

About this postcard

The view looks up the Niagara Gorge from below, with the dark, projecting mass of the Rock of Ages in the foreground and the American Falls and Cave of the Winds beyond. The river runs green-white below, and spray and mist rise where the water breaks over the falls. The Cave of the Winds was a cavern behind Bridal Veil Falls, reached by a steep winding stair from Goat Island; its name came from the air pressure and spray thrown off by the falling water. Both landmarks were part of the Niagara Reservation, New York's state park established in 1885. The sender's note records a small 1939 vacation moment: the Herricks are having an ideal day at the falls and regret that Ruth had to work.

Postcard Details

Message · English, in pencil

Sept 3, 1939 Dear Ruth, Its too bad you had to work to day. Its a beautiful and ideal day to be here, we are having a good time Love The "Herrick's"

Rock of Ages and Cave of the Winds, Niagara Falls. ROCK OF AGES and American Falls from below Niagara Falls. Centre Fall issues from between Luna and Goat shore foot, under the falls is a place called Cave of the Winds, formed by thirty feet of projecting limestone that has resisted the action of the corroding waters while the shady substratum of tht ledge has been eaten away. The so-called cave is one hundred feet in height and sixty feet in depth and can be reached by a perpendicular winding stair- way from Goat Island. The cave derives its name from the constant pressure of the atmosphere caused by the reflex of the falling water which resembles a storm of great violence.

PostmarkedNiagara Falls, September 4, 1939

Addressed to

Miss Ruth Stokel

100 Monroe Ave. Rochester, NY

Postcard record

Postmarked	September 4, 1939, Niagara Falls
Series	274: 20488
Condition	Good
Place addressed	Miss Ruth Stokel, 100 Monroe Ave., Rochester, NY
Place mentioned	Cave of the Winds, Niagara Falls, NY
Stamp	2c Mexico, beige
Notes	White border; visible halftone dot screen in the sky and water; small number 20488 printed in the lower right corner; light wear at the corners. Postmark: NIAGARA FALLS SEP 4 1939 PM. Divided-back printed halftone card with white border; sender wrote "Sept 3, 1939" in pencil at top; stamp area torn/partly missing (Mexican 2-cent stamp). Light edge wear and toning.

Cite this card

Rock of Ages and Cave of the Winds, Niagara Falls, NY, 1939, postcard, c. 1939. PostalPast Collection. https://postalpast.com/postcard/rock-of-ages-and-cave-of-the-winds-niagara-falls-ny-1939. Accessed November 2, 2026.