This Bay City, Michigan school teacher was strapped by her assistants into a special harness in a wooden barrel. Several newspaper people were on hand as a small boat towed the barrel out into the mainstream of the Niagara River and was cut loose.

Slammed by the rapids first one way, then another, Mrs Taylor was sure she hit the rocks. Yet just 17 minutes after the plunge, her barrel drifted close enough to the Canadian Shore to be hooked and dragged onto the rocks. Dazed but triumphant, the first person to conquer the mighty Falls of Niagara found the fame she sought so desperately.

Unfortunately, 20 years after her brush with death, she died destitute in Niagara Falls, New York. On emerging from her barrel after plunging over Niagara Falls on October 24, 1901 Annie Taylor said "No one ought ever do that again."

Travel Niagara would like to thank Royal Specialty Sales for their gracious assistance in this production of our daredevil gallery. During your stay in Niagara Falls be sure to pick up a copy of their most recent publication The Magic of Niagara by noted Niagara watcher George Bailey.