Spring 2010 First Railway in America Built in Lewiston Sail the Black Pearl British constructed pulley system known as “The Cradles” to transport goods up the Escarpment in 1764 Lewiston Lewiston’s Newest Weekend Attraction History America’s first Montresor Credited with If you’ve never experienced the thrill of sailing on a tall ship, Mysteries railway was built in Design and Construction then this is what you’ve been waiting for. It’s the Historical Lewiston and was Association’s new fundraiser -- a spectacular ride on the Black completed in 1764. It British Captain John Montresor was a Pearl. became part of the famous military engineer and mapmaker who is No, not the one “portage” that was used to transport goods and credited with commanded by Capt. Jack supplies around Niagara Falls. the design and Sparrow in the Pirates of When supply ships came to Lewiston in the early construction of the Caribbean movies, but 1700s, they would drop their cargo off near the gully at the “gravity the real brigantine Black present day Artpark (the gully is behind the Artpark gift railroad” built in Pearl, built in 1938 and shop.) Then, porters from the local Seneca tribe would Lewiston. It is the former flag ship of the manually carry the goods up the Escarpment and to the sometimes American Sail Training Upper Niagara River above the falls. About 200 Illustration by Patricia Greene referred to as Association. It’s 70 feet Senecas were employed and because of the way they “Montresor’s long, and 63 feet high. The Historical Association will be offering had to carry the backpacks, they called the Escarpment The first railway in America was located where Tramway.” cruises on the Lower Niagara River this John Montresor Schedules are “still a summer aboard the Black Pearl. "Crawl on All Fours." Artpark is today. It was made of wood and was used In 1754, he work in progress” but to haul goods up and down the steep Escarpment. However, once the British took control of the area accompanied his father to America when he organizers are aiming for several one-hour sails every Saturday from the French in July 1759, many of the Senecas The Cradles Used Counterweights was 18 and eventually became a British starting in May 2010. The Black Pearl can take 20 passengers at found themselves out of work. The British not only officer, commissioned in the Corps of a time and those aboard will be treated to fascinating historical began the construction of the railway, but brought more Exact details aren’t known, but there’s a good chance Engineers. When he was stationed here, he tidbits about the boat and the Niagara River. horses and wagons to Lewiston to replace manual labor. there were two sets of wooden tracks, not one. The cradles, designed and built fortifications at Fort The Black Pearl has been in a number of Tall Ship celebrations In September 1763, the Senecas revolted and killed or carts, which carried the goods were actually sleds that Niagara and Fort Erie, as well as series of up and down the East Coast and has even traveled to Europe. But many British soldiers and workers in what is called the handled 12-14 barrels of supplies at a time. blockhouses. now, she is under local ownership and will be a part Lewiston’s Devil's Hole Massacre. Despite the setback, the British Two cradles were linked by rope over a pulley at the top Montresor participated in the American weekends. For more information you can call 716-754-4214 or continued with their work to improve the portage and so that when one cradle moved down one railway, the other Revolution and was present at the execution go online at HistoricLewiston.org the railway was still in operation in the early 1800s. cradle moved upward, creating a counterweight and making of the American hero, Nathan Hale, who it much easier to transport the goods up and down said, “I only regret that I have but one life to This placemat is brought to you by our sponsor: the hill. give for my country.” It is said that he To manage the slope, the kindly sheltered Hale in his office, giving Welcome to Lewiston, NY Since 1907: We’ve made a little history of our own! rails were built in sections. The first him pen and paper to write final letters to his HistoricLewiston.org And now, a new Primary Care Center accepting new patients section raised the carts from the family, and that the execution moved him 716-754-4214 Dr. Ivan Sabio river to where the parking lot deeply. Later, he was sent to the American Dr. Philip M. Sauvageau The Historical Association of Lewiston hopes you Board Certified Board Certified directly east of the main Artpark line, under a flag of truce, to report Hale's Home of Freedom Crossing enjoy your visit to our historic and quaint village. Internal Medicine Internal Medicine Mark your calendar for our next spectacular theatre is today. Then, the second last words. Lewiston Tour of Homes on Dec. 4 & 5, 2010. section, seen here in this illustration, In his later years, his expense accounts To get the latest news and monthly program notes, join our free email list by turned 90 degrees and began the came under scrutiny, and he was suspected Office Appointments 298-2755 or 297-7542 sending an email to: [email protected] You can also see and download ascent up the Escarpment. The third of stealing government property. England our past placemats at our website: HistoricLewiston.org 5290 Military Road, Suite 8 and last stage began half way up the seized his assets and threw him in debtor’s Historic Lewiston placemats written and designed by volunteer, Lee Simonson Lewiston, New York Escarpment and ended at the top. prison where he died on June 26, 1799.