The name Goat Island comes from a legend about a Native American chief who tied his goat to a small island before going into battle. The chief was defeated and killed in battle, and the goat was stranded on the island for several days before being rescued.
Over the years, the name "Goat Island" has been used to describe the small island in the Niagara River between the American Falls and the Horseshoe Falls. The island is currently owned by the Niagara Parks Commission and is a popular tourist destination. There are no goats on the island, but there are a variety of other animals, including deer, rabbits, and squirrels.