Portage Falls

Portage Falls are three large waterfalls located along the Genesee River. The falls are by the Genesee Arch Bridge and run through Letchworth State Park. William Pryor Letchworth once owned a tract and built his Glen Iris Estate in the area that is now part of the park. The town of Portage, New York and the hamlet of Portageville are nearby.

The three major waterfalls are known as the Upper (42°34′43″N 78°02′56″W / 42.5786°N 78.0489°W / 42.5786; -78.0489 (Portage Falls, Upper Falls)), Middle (42°34′59″N 78°02′34″W / 42.5831°N 78.0427°W / 42.5831; -78.0427 (Portage Falls, Middle Falls)), and Lower Falls (42°35′08″N 78°01′13″W / 42.58565°N 78.02034°W / 42.58565; -78.02034 (Portage Falls, Lower Falls)) and pass through Portage Canyon in the southern section of the state park. A stone bridge just below the Lower Falls is part of a trail in the park. The Middle Falls are the highest. Above the Upper Falls, an active railroad trestle passes over the gorge.

Thomas Cole painted the falls in 1839. Stereoscopic views of the falls were also created. In 1843, geologist James Hall studied the rock formations and strata in the area. His publication included hand colored drawings of the falls.^[1]

A collection of stereoscopic views from 1875 in the New York Public Library's collection includes: "Views of Portage and vicinity including the Genesee River; waterfalls; wooden and iron railroad bridges, including ruins of the wooden bridge; a "canalduct" (Genesee Canal?); Genesee Valley Sand Stone quarry showing men working; Catlin House, Cascade House, and Glen Iris, including group playing croquet and a canoe in the lake; estate of Wm. P. Letchworth, which was later made into Letchworth State Park; a man sitting beside a tent, bridge beyond."