The Three Sisters Islands are islands which lie off the south shoreline of Goat Island. The islands are part of

Niagara Falls, New York Niagara Falls is a City (New York), city in Niagara County, New York, United States. As of the 2020 United States Census, 2020 census, the city had a total population of 48,671. It is adjacent to the Niagara River, across from the city of Niagara ...

. Accessible from Goat Island, the Three Sisters Islands are located just beyond the Canada/U.S. border in Niagara Falls, New York. The islands are named after Celinda, Angelina, and Asenath Whitney (all three of whom are buried in Oakwood Cemetery in Niagara Falls, NY), daughters of

General Parkhurst Whitney Parkhurst Whitney (September 25, 1784 – April 26, 1862) was an American soldier, businessman, and early settler of Niagara Falls, New York who owned the prominent Cataract House. Early life Whitney was born in Conway, Massachusetts on Septemb ...

of Niagara Falls, New York. General Whitney (also buried in Oakwood Cemetery), was one of the more prominent early settlers of Niagara Falls, New York. The General moved to Niagara Falls, N.Y. in 1810 and is best known as the founder and operator of the

Cataract House The Cataract House was a hotel in the neighborhood of Buffalo Avenue in Niagara Falls, New York. The hotel was established in 1825 but destroyed by fire in 1945. It was a major stop on the Underground Railroad and it was the largest hotel in Niag ...

Hotel located near the upper rapids just above the falls. General Whitney's daughters are believed to be the first settlers to have trekked to the three small islands. Before European settlers arrived in North America, Iroquois shamans made sacrifices of food and gifts on the islands and communed with He-No (Mighty Thunderer), the spirit who dwells in the mist-enshrouded cave at the base of the falls. Modern day psychics believe any one can hear the voices of the spirits if they listen carefully while visiting the Three Sisters Islands. Each island supports a variety of microhabitats and has its own floristic character. The Three Sisters Islands are connected by bridges, allowing pedestrians to walk to all three for grand views of the raging rapids in the Niagara River right before its descent over the Horseshoe Falls.

References

External links

Images of Three Sisters Islands
Niagara Falls Public Library (Ont.)
Niagara River Islands History
Niagara Falls Islands of Niagara County, New York Islands of the Niagara River River islands of New York (state) Islands of New York (state) {{NiagaraCountyNY-geo-stub