Stunts - Tightrope

Charles Blondin  "The Great Blondin"

Niagara Falls Stunters

Charles Blondin walking across the Niagara River. 

Niagara Falls Stunters

Charles Blondin walking across the river with his manager on his back.  

Charles Blondin was one of the most famous stunters at Niagara Falls.  He came to Niagara in 1858 and walked across the Niagara River on a tightrope on June 30, 1859.  

His rope was 1100' long with a diameter of 3" which stretched from Prospect Park to what is now Oakes Garden.  

For Blondin's first walk, he went from the American to the Canadian side in 20 minutes.  In order to keep his balance, he used a 30' balancing pole.  

Blondin performed eight more stunts in 1859, one of which was carrying his manager, Harry Colcord, on his back [6].  

 

Blondin pushed the limits on conquering nature and overcoming the danger and mystery of Niagara.  His tightrope acts encouraged other stunters to equal and surpass his acts.

 

Andrew Jenkins   "The Professor"

Maria Spelterini

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[6]  “Daredevils of Niagara Falls”, accessed 9 December 2015, http://www.niagarafrontier.com/devil_frame.html.

[7]  Ibid.

[8]  Ibid. 

Stunts - Tightrope