Samuel Dixon walking over the gorge on a tight rope c1890 courtesy of Brock University Archives
Toronto. Niagara Falls has always been an attraction – one way or the other. InFebruary, 2011, we were enchanted by a talk on Niagara given by Dr Norman Ball. His talk was titled, “Niagara Falls: A Story of Crazies, Improbabilities and Photographers. His talk covered the history of the Falls including the daredevils who crossed the Falls on a tight rope.
Brock University now has an archive of Niagara Falls Stereo Cards. This online service gives you an idea of the many people attracted to the Falls and prepared to best them. Shown at left is an 1890 stereo card in the archive. The cut line says, “In 1890, Samuel Dixon crossed the River over the gorge near Queen Victoria Park. In 1891, he walked over the River again, this time between the Cantilever Railway Bridge and Railway Suspension Bridge.”
I remember Red Hill and his daring ride over the Falls in a barrel in the late 1940s – before such stunts were banned.
My thanks to good friend, George Dunbar, who found the Brock University Archive of Niagara Falls Stereos and shared the photo and link with us.
