The village of Elgin, with its suspension bridge across the Niagara River, plus railway connections, flourished in the mid-nineteenth century. The needs of travellers were met with hotels, restaurants and shops on Bridge Street, Park Street and Clifton (now Zimmerman) Avenue.

By 1904, when the new City of Niagara Falls was created, the lower Queen Street area between Erie and Ontario had increased in importance and had become the new business centre. The west end of the street was still residential, lined with trees, barns and stately homes. Starting in the 1930s, many of the private homes were demolished to make room for more commercial development.

Noteworthy businesses included the Queen Theatre, the city’s home to vaudeville, silent & sound movies; the Queen Street Fire Hall with its iconic tower (now Centennial Square); the old Town Hall, still existing in front of the new city hall; and the Federal Building, still occupied by Canada Post.

Today, residents and travellers can still eat, shop and explore the city’s downtown core, “The Q”.