Then: Canadia

Canadia, the "World's Largest Miniaturama", opened in Niagara Falls in 1966. Spanning over 11 acres along Dorchester Road, every Canadian province was represented with miniature buildings, displays and models, including a working miniature railroad (the longest in the world) and the Welland Canal, with functioning locks & ships. Other highlights were the Parliament Buildings, Fort Sainte Marie among the Hurons, the Toronto International Airport and St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church from Niagara-on-the-Lake. The scale was approximately ½ inch to 1 foot (1:24). New features were added every year, and for local interest, an exact replica of the Canadian and American Falls opened a few years later.

Sadly, it was a short-lived attraction. In 1970, Canadia's land was sold to private developers, who planned to build a shopping mall. Buyers were sought for the models, but though they were interested, neither the Niagara Parks Commission, nor Toronto city council could afford it.

Two of the models, the Parliament Buildings and Casa Loma, resided briefly in Vineland at Tivoli Miniature World, but the scale was different (Tivoli Miniatures were 1:50) and they were too large by comparison. The shopping plaza never received approval, and the area was developed for housing and retail.

Now: Dawson Street Strip Mall

There is now a strip mall on the site, at the intersection of Dorchester Road and Dawson Street. Over the years the mall has hosted Sudzz Bar and Grill, the Golden Touch Hair Salon, financial offices, and a Vietnamese restaurant.

Niagara Falls Public Library. 2017. Niagara Falls - Then & Now: A Photographic Journey Through The Years. Canadia/ Sudzz Bar & Grill.

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.

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Copyright for all content remains with original creators.