Port Hope in Northumberland County, Ontario — Central Canada (North America)

Signor Farini (William Leonard Hunt) 1838-1929

Photographed by Tim Boyd, June 7, 2025

1. Signor Farini (William Leonard Hunt) 1838-1929 Marker

Inscription. In October, 1859, Signor Farini made his debut here, on a high wire strung across the river between two four- storey buildings. His second performance drew a crowd twice the population of the town; among his feats was a headstand at mid-wire. The child of Hope Township parents, raised there and in Bowmanville, Farini challenged the legendary Blondin the following year at Niagara Falls and gained international fame in a perilous high-wire competition 180 feet above the eddying currents of the Niagara River. Later he was a renowned flying trapeze performer, the creator of the human cannonball act and other famous circus feats, world traveller, explorer, author, inventor, artist, business-man, botanist and linguist. He returned to Port Hope in old age and died on January 17, 1929.

Erected by East Durham Historical Society, Ontario Heritage Foundation.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Entertainment. In addition, it is included in the Canada, Ontario Heritage Trust series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1859.

Location. 43° 57.06′ N, 78° 17.523′ W.

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Marker is in Port Hope, Ontario, in Northumberland County. It is at the intersection of Walton Street and Mill Street North, on the right when traveling west on Walton Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 15 Walton Street, Port Hope ON L1A 1M9, Canada. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the Kawarthas Northumberland Area

and in Eastern Ontario.

It is also in Central Canada.

Globally, it is in North America,

on the Great Lakes,

in the Western Hemisphere,

in the Western World,

and in the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once a British colony,

the Viceroyalty of New France,

the Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) Confederacy,

and Rupert’s Land.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Port Hope Early Settlement (here, next to this marker); The Great Farini (here, next to this marker); Aboriginal Settlement (a few steps from this marker); Port Hope Capitol Theatre / Le Théâtre Capitol de Port Hope (about 90 meters away, measured in a direct line); Farley Mowat (about 150 meters away); St. Mark’s Church 1822 (about

Photographed by Tim Boyd, June 7, 2025

2. Signor Farini (William Leonard Hunt) 1838-1929 Marker

150 meters away); History of the Ganaraska Watershed (about 150 meters away); Myndert Harris 1748-1823 (about 150 meters away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Port Hope.

Signor Farini (William Hunt) crossing Niagara Falls in 1860 image. Click for full size.

3. Signor Farini (William Hunt) crossing Niagara Falls in 1860

Source; Niagara Falls (Ontario) Public Library, public domain

Credits. This page was last revised on June 10, 2025. It was originally submitted on June 10, 2025, by Tim Boyd of Hamilton, Ontario. This page has been viewed 119 times since then and 8 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on June 10, 2025, by Tim Boyd of Hamilton, Ontario. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.