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Daredevil Annie Edson Taylor and Her Journey over Niagara Falls in a Pickle Barrel
The first woman to tumble down the falls into fame
Few people would consider celebrating their 63rd birthday with a ride down the Niagara Falls in a barrel, but Annie Edson Taylor did just that. Although she claimed at the time that she was only 42, later evidence emerged that she had lied about her age.
Born in New York on October 24, 1838, Annie always enjoyed reading and playing outdoors and studied to become a teacher. Sadly, seven years after she got married, her husband David Taylor was killed in the Civil War, a tragedy compounded by the fact that they had previously had a son who died just a few days after birth.
She traveled from place to place and even opened up the first dance studio in Bay City, Michigan, before realizing she had to do something to end her continual struggle to support herself financially. She decided to carry out a dangerous stunt in her quest for publicity.
On October 24, 1901, Annie was placed in a wooden pickle barrel complete with padding and a leather harness to make the journey more comfortable…
