Niagara Falls in Niagara Region, Ontario — Central Canada (North America)

The Original Hill's Barrel

Photographed by Kevin Westell, August 18, 2025

1. The Original Hill's Barrel - Marker

Inscription.
The original
Hill's Barrel
July 1949

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Entertainment • Waterways & Vessels. A significant historical month for this entry is July 1949.

Location. 43° 6.379′ N, 79° 3.658′ W. Marker is in Niagara Falls, Ontario, in Niagara Region. It is at the intersection of River Rd (Niagara River Pkwy) and Queen Street, on the right when traveling south on River Rd (Niagara River Pkwy). Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 4671 River Road, Niagara Falls ON L2E 3G2, Canada. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is on Ontario’s Golden Horseshoe

and in Niagara Canada.

It is also in Central Canada.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and 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: About the year 1600 B.C. ... (within shouting distance of this marker); Bampfield Hall 1872 (about 150 meters away, measured in a direct line); 140th Anniversary of Christ Church Anglican Church (about 180 meters away); Rosberg Family Park (about 180 meters away); Binational Heritage Peace Garden Trail (about 180 meters away); Olympic Torch Run Legacy Trail (about 180 meters away); Samuel Zimmerman 1815 - 1857 (about 210 meters away); Rededication of Centennial Square and Dedication of the Peace Park (approx. 0.2 kilometers away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Niagara Falls.

Regarding The Original Hill's Barrel. Mr. Major Lloyd Hill, a Niagara Falls antique dealer, went over the falls

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four times in barrels. This barrel was from his first trip, his 1949 trip, during which he broke his leg. He repeated the stunt in 1950, 1954 and 1956. Here is a video describing the 1949 event: https://youtu.be/wQAQ5ApI9Mw

(His father William "Red" Hill was involved in many rescues along the Niagara River; including saving one person on the day of the ice-bridge tragedy in 1912; and the scow incident in 1918. Major's brother William "Red" Hill Jr. also went over the falls a few times, but was killed attempting this in 1951.)

The Original Hill's Barrel - Marker in context image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Kevin Westell, August 18, 2025

2. The Original Hill's Barrel - Marker in context

The barrel is close to the River St, in front of a combination gift-shop and small motel.

Credits. This page was last revised on August 19, 2025. It was originally submitted on August 19, 2025, by Kevin Westell of St. Catharines, Ontario. This page has been viewed 219 times since then and 77 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on August 19, 2025, by Kevin Westell of St. Catharines, Ontario. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.