Regular transportation between Toronto and Niagara began in 1820 on the packet “The Duke of Richmond”. By 1826, five steamers were making the trip between the two cities and passengers started to board ships in Toronto to come to Niagara for the day or vacation. A second tourism boom was created with the formation of the Niagara Navigation Company in 1878. This fleet of ships and their descendants continued running from Toronto until 1957. Once here visitors could rent a fishing boat at one of Niagara’s boat liveries or be taken by water taxi to Paradise Grove for a picnic.