The Toronto Power Generating Station was a former generating station, located along the Niagara River, approaching the brink of the falls in Niagara Falls, Canada. The Power House is a rectangular building with an imposing classical façade. It was the first Canadian-owned hydroelectric facility in Niagara Falls, Canada, built in 1906, and was purchased by Ontario Hydro in 1922. The Power House was designed by architect E. J. Lennox and built by the Electrical Development Company of Ontario to supply hydroelectric power to Toronto. It contains generators, standing above the other principal engineering components of the installation, which includes a submerged dam, penstocks, the wheel pit housing the turbines, and the tailrace tunnel. At the time that the plant was built, this generating station was a significant, large engineering accomplishment that was an important element in the evolution of business, industry and technology in Ontario, Canada. The plant operated until 1974 as Ontario Hydro looked to make better use of the available water downriver at theSir Adam Beck Hydroelectric Power Stations in Queenston. The deserted plant was designated a National Historic Site of Canada in 1983, due to its importance in the development of business, industry and technology in Ontario, and its status as the first wholly Canadian-owned hydroelectric facility at Niagara Falls.

From the exterior, you would never believe that this was a former powerhouse. It was designed in the style of Beaux-Arts; classical Roman and Greek architecture, and features tiled mosaic floors, polished copper railings and a grand appearance.

The powerhouse was a breakthrough in the development of hydroelectric power in Canada as the first wholly Canadian-owned hydroelectric facility in Niagara Falls.

As this generating station operated until 1974, the building has been vacant ever since with its exterior structure still intact. The building is not open for public, recreational visitation; however, the exterior is open to the public to take photographs of the National Historic Site.

At the time that the powerhouse was purchased by the Niagara Parks Commission, Ontario Power Generation was to engage in particular structural and environmental work to ensure that the building does not pose a threat to the public. Until the ultimate use of the building is determined, The Ministry of Tourism has orders to stabilize and preserve the powerhouse.

The Former Toronto Power Generating Station was previously owned by Ontario Power Generation Inc., and was purchased by the Niagara Parks Commission in 2007 and renamed the Electrical Development Company of Ontario Limited. The Niagara Parks Commission is seeking new ideas to preserve and repurpose the building while maintaining its exterior, and includes the former Toronto Power Generating Station in their 10 year Master Plan to guide the continuing development of Queen Victoria Park of Niagara Parks. The plan explores opportunities to provide new guest experiences and enhance existing programs in order to retain its heritage value. There has been discussion about turning the interior of the building into a museum relating to power, and currently, the Niagara Parks Commission is entering the developing stage of this project.

As the Toronto Power Generating Station is not open to the public, accessibility has not been assessed, however, for photography purposes, the surroundings of the powerhouse are accessible for anyone with mobility issues.

Anderson, K. (2018). Toronto Power Generating Station. Invisible Threads. Retrieved October 11 2018, from http://www.invisiblethreads.com/galleries/toronto-...

Canada's Historic Places. (2018). Toronto Power Generating Station National Historic Site of Canada. Retrieved October 11, 2018, from https://www.historicplaces.ca/en/repreg/place-lieu.aspx?id=11954.

Niagara Parks Commission. (2016). Niagara Parks Annual Report. Niagara Parks. Retrieved October 11, 2018, from https://www.niagaraparks.com/media/2017/01/2016_An....

Niagara Parks Commission. (2018). Queen Victoria Park Master Plan. Niagara Parks. Retrieved October 11, 2018, from https://www.niagaraparks.com/corporate/niagara-par....

Spiteri, R. (2015, December 18). New life for old Falls power plants. Niagara Falls Review. Retrieved October 11, 2018, from https://www.niagarafallsreview.ca/newsstory/8184653-new-life-for-old-falls-power-plants/.