The company began in 1974 in Berkeley, CA with two ships. In 1980 the original owner, Ward Proescher, sold the business to Terry MacRae and P. Michael Watson. Proescher later went on to start a competing charter yacht company in the Bay Area, Commodore Cruises.
In February 2012 it was announced that Hornblower Canada Company, a Canadian subsidiary of Hornblower, was awarded the 30 year contract to operate the Niagara Falls Gorge Boat Tour from the Canadian side of the river. Hornblower Canada Co. was selected following a competitive bid process. Maid of the Mist continues to operate cruises out of Niagara Falls, N.Y.
