Tonawanda, or White's Island, Niagara River

We present our readers, on page 408, with a fine sketch from the Niagara River. White's Island, or, as it was formerly called, Carney Island, is one of those beautiful oases, with which this mighty desert of waters abounds, and is justly considered one of the most romantic and picturesque summer resorts in the country. Situated directly opposite the thriving village of Tonawanda, and midway between Buffalo and the falls, it enjoys all the facilities of easy access to any part of the world. From this point can be heard the distant music of the World's Great Cataract, and enjoyed the pure breeze that wafts from the inland seas. We have no means of knowing when or by whom this island was first settled. There is upon it a large Indian mound, which is said to be the farthest one north. From this ancient cemetery have been taken, by the hands of Mrs. White, the present incumbent and proprietor, the skull and bones of a human body, supposed to be that of an Indian chief, which according to the judgment of several scientific men, could not have been less than eight feet in stature. Many other curiosities are found on the island. The beautiful mansion that occupies a prominent place in our sketch, was erected by Hon. Stephen White, some fifteen or twenty years ago, and is said to be most perfect in all its arrangements. The architect was none other than our worthy townsman, Samuel Perkins, Esq., of the Winthrop House. Mr. White was president of the "East Boston Timber Company," that emigrated from our city some twenty years ago. They purchased Grand Island, and founded, as was supposed, the basis of a large commercial city. The crash of '36 gave a stroke to this enterprise, and, many supposed, laid an axe at the root of the tree. Present indications, however, plainly prove that a few of the topmost branches only were severed. Public attention has, within a few years past, been drawn to the fact that Tonawanda presents some of the greatest natural facilities for commerce that can be found away from the sea coast; and, already, men of capital are concentrating here Warehouses are arising as if by magic, and the harbor is whitened with the sails of the finest vessels that ride the lake.