The islands, became accessible to the public in 1877 when Sutherland Macklem, a descendant of Samuel Street built a pair of suspension bridges to carry foot and carriage traffic. They now became known as Cynthia Islands. The Niagara Parks Commission took ownership in 1887 and renamed the islands in honor of Canadian Governor-General Lord Dufferin, who had been instrumental in establishing parkland along the Niagara River and to give visitors a reprieve from the carnival - like atmosphere along the “front”.