JEAN FRANCOIS GRAVELET was known as The Great Blondin and was the first of a host of tightrope walkers that eventually found their way to Niagara Falls.

Blondin was a professional tightrope walker who had been trained as a circus performer in the European tradition. While in his early thirties he immigrated to America and soon made it be known that he would cross the Niagara Gorge on a tightrope.

On June 30, 1859, at 5:00 p.m. Blondin began his trip. Spectators were amazed when they saw him lower a rope to the Maid of the Mist and pull up a bottle, which he then began to sit down on the rope and drink.

Continuing on towards the Canadian side, Blondin suddenly stopped, adjusted his pole, and without hesitation executed a back somersault. Several more trips were made, each one attempting to outdo the last.

Blondin crossed the Niagara gorge on a bicycle, blindfolded, pushing a wheelbarrow and even with his hands and feets manacled. On one occasion he even cooked an omelette on a small burner in the center of the tightrope.

But perhaps the most memorable was when he crossed the gorge carrying his manager, Harry Colcord on his back. It would be the supreme test of Blondins skill and stamina.

That day over 100,000 spectators jammed every available space along the gorge. According to Colcord, the trip was a nightmare.

On several occasions Blondin had to hastily run for the guy rope to steady the two. On the very first occasion the guy rope broke, forcing Blondin to hastily run for the next.

Upon reaching the second guy rope Blondin gasped for Colcord to dismount. The terrified manager slithered down Blondins sweat soaked back.

Six times in all Colcord had to dismount to allow Blondin to regain his strength.. As if this wasn’t bad enough, upon reaching the other side he was swarmed with well wishers and almost forced back into the gorge.

With one last bout of strength Blondin charged the audience on the edge, narrowly escaping death. Blondin's stunt brought him international fame and fortune however on his arrival to Niagara the following year he found some steep competition.