Paul Gromosiak has dedicated much of his life teaching others about the beauty and wonder of Niagara Falls. On

Photo courtesy Tim Baxter

Friday, July 10th local and state officials rewarded Niagara’s “Unofficial Historian” with a ceremony to unveil a plaque in his honor at the Heritage Park in Niagara Falls at the corner of Buffalo Avenue and Main Street.

“Of course I love Niagara Falls, I have since I was a boy,” Paul Gromosiak told the assembled crowd. “We have stories that need to be told to the world the right way.”

The former educator, who has no knowledge of the ceremony in advance, was visibly moved when the plaque was revealed in his honor. The plaque reads “Listen! Hear the wind; the thundering waters, too; the gulls, soaring send the word of God to you.” 

Photo courtesy Tim Baxter

Niagara Falls Mayor Paul Dyster also officially designated July 10th as “Local History Day”, in honor of the dedication of Gromosiak’s plaque and gave him the key to the City. Ironically, July 10th is also the birthday of Nikola Tesla, the scientist who created AC current (alternating current) and was instrumental in the creation of Niagara’s first power plant.

Gromosiak has been an advocate for preserving the history and physical beauty of the Niagara region and has written numerous books on the subject. Gromosiak has also appeared in various documentaries and films on the region and has often spoken out against “stunting” at Niagara Falls, including the wire walk of Nik Wallenda.