59° and Clear
Image
Gaelan Baillee called his wife Shawniece a few years ago to tell her he was going to “buy a Jetski and some barrels.”
She listened to him, not fully understanding but knowing her husband is a man of vision. For a few years now, he's been talking about opening a Daredevil museum. It is now open.
That Jetski, and those barrels have become central to Baillee’s “The Daredevil Museum, Legends, History and More” at 468 Third St. which held its grand opening last night with the unveiling of new exhibits as well as one fantastic surprise, Steven Trotter’s third barrel. Trotter, known for going over the Falls twice, was working on building out a third barrel so he could be the only person to go three times as well as the oldest. He died to soon to make it happen. He was the youngest person to go over in a barrel at 24, in 1985, in a barrel wrapped in innertubes on display at the museum.
He did it again in 1995 in a barrel welded together from two heater tanks and covered in insulation. He was accompanied by Lori Martin.
Dan Trotter, Steven’s brother, heard about Baillie’s museum several months ago. Dan lives in Atlanta. The third barrel, partially completed, was in his garage. A team of filmmakers including Christian Ryder had been working on a documentary on Trotter, who died unexpectedly before he could make a third attempt.
“My brother told me from heaven to give this to Gaelan,” Dan said Friday night. “No one is going to get fined, no one is going to get hurt or arrested this time.”
Steven Trotter was fined $500 in 1985. By 1995, the fine was up to $7,500 Canadian. Current laws place the find at $10,000 plus the cost of emergency services.
The third barrel was half built, including a fiberglass ball with a racing seat and harness bolted inside. The seat alone, fabricated by a NASCAR shop, cost $7,500. Dan Trotter said building it out the rest of the way would have cost somewhere between $15,000 and $25,000. It would have had a double-reinforced window so Trotter would be able to peer out as he went over the cataract.
Martin was supposed to be arriving in Niagara Falls later. The Baillee’s children, Evie and Aubrey took turns climbing in and out of the third barrel.
The museum has a wondrous collection of other ephemera as well, celebrating daredevils, funambulists and history.
It is open daily. Tickets are $10 for adults, $8 for children and half price for 716 residents.
