In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, Niagara-on-the-Lake invested in infrastructure designed to improve both public health and navigation safety. The “Pumphouse,” built along the Niagara River in 1891, used steam-powered pumps to provide filtered drinking water to residents for more than 90 years. Nearby, the federal government addressed hazards at the river’s narrow entrance by constructing front and rear range lights and a foghorn house in 1904. When aligned, the range lights guided vessels safely into the Niagara River, particularly at night or in fog. Together, these systems reflect the community’s efforts to protect people both on land and on the water.