John England was an early photographer, jeweller, and watchmaker in Niagara Falls South. In 1866 he opened the first photography studio in the village. His studio was on Main Street - but somewhat ironically, no photos of his storefront survive. In 1907, the Daily Record, a local newspaper of the era, reported that "his was a well-equipped and handsomely furnished studio. His reputation in these lines extends all over the Dominion and the United States as well". John England died in 1913. The library has copies of some of John England's photographs in its Historic Niagara Digital Collections.

Then: John England Photography Studio

George A Briggs opened a stationary store in the former England studio. He also operated the Niagara South sub post office from that location, and lived there with his wife Jennie.

In the 1940s, Penn Stationer took over the business. Penn was a fixture in the busy Main and Ferry business district for many years. Ownership changed hands from Ken Bradfield to Donna and Fred Reece in 1978. They carried office furniture and equipment, giftware, Hallmark cards; they printed custom made items like wedding invitations, and continued to have a sub post located onsite.

The recession of the 1980s took a toll on business in the city. Beatties Stationery, which owned several other stores in the Niagara Region, leased the building in 1988, but closed it in 1991. Company president Ted Hoxie blamed the recession and free trade, which was allowing his customers to shop over the river in the United States. The sub post office was also shut down.

Now: 5942 Main Street

5942 Main Street was the new home for the Salvation Army Thrift Store in 1992. Donated clothing, furniture and other items were sold at reduced rates to people in need. The Salvation Army still operates a Thrift Store elsewhere, but the Main Street storefront has been vacant for many years.

Niagara Falls Public Library. 2017. Niagara Falls - Then & Now: A Photographic Journey Through The Years. [John England Photography Studio/ 5942 Main Street].

Niagara Falls Then and Now
A collaborative project
Niagara Falls Museums - Niagara Falls Public Library - Dept. of Geography and Tourism Studies,Brock University.
Original newspaper series by Sherman Zavitz, Official Historian for the City of Niagara Falls from 1994 - 2019.

© 2020 All rights reserved
Copyright for all content remains with original creators.