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Did you know . . . In the early 1900s a young man from Iowa joined those who crossed Niagara Falls on a wire. He slid across the gorge hanging by his teeth from the cable.

Did you know . . . The first female crossing Niagara Falls on a wire was Maria Spelterini, who walked four different dates between July 8 and 22, 1876.

Did you know . . . In 1975 the French daredevil Henri Rechatin, with his wife Janyck and Frank Lucas, crossed Niagara Falls. Lucas rode a motor bike on the cable while Henri stood with a balancing pole on a small platform on the rear of the bike, while his wife hung by one foot from a trapeze beneath the bike.

Did you know . . . That during WWI, Bird Millman, Barnum & Bailey's famous tightrope walker, sold war savings stamps from a rope stretched between two buildings on Wall Street, New York. She danced on the wire in costume to music of the Navy Yard Band, then sat on the cable while hundreds handed up their quarters for the stamps.

Did you know . . . In 1982 Carlos Obando Jr., two year old son of Carlos and Carol Obando, became the youngest person to walk across a tight wire. The feat was performed on the M & M Shrine Circus at Sioux City, Iowa on April 18. Before this, his sister Pamela had held the record since she was three.

  Current News, Announcements

Sawdust and Spectacle: Under the Big Top in Small Town America. The Ohio Arts Council's Riffe Gallery will present Sawdust and Spectacle: Under the Big Top in Small Town America from February 4 - April 21, 2010, Columbus, Ohio. Curated by Sara Johnson, director, Southern Ohio Museum, this exhibition shines a spotlight on the glory days of the traveling circus in the United States from the late 19th century through the 1930s, focusing on its popularity in Midwestern states such as Ohio.
    The exhibition features captivating imagery from Portsmouth native Clarence Carter and other major Ohio artists of the last century, as well as vintage circus posters and banners, toys, documentary photographs from the Ackerman Collection, the Carter Archives and other public and private Ohio collections, and an exquisite set of 13 circus dioramas by Sonny King, the son of a lion tamer. The various artworks and artifacts blend the grandiosity of the big top with the less-glamorous private lives of its performers.
    Join the Riffe Gallery for the opening of Sawdust and Spectacle: Under the Big Top in Small Town America on February 4, 2010 from 10 a.m. - 8 p.m. Curator Sara Johnson will lead a tour of the exhibition on February 24, 2010 from noon - 1 p.m. Artists in the show include: Gifford Beal, Clarence Holbrook Carter, Paul Lewis Clemens, James Gantt, Fred Johnson, Yvonne Twining Humber, Henry Keller, Sonny King, Walt Kuhn, Yasuo Kuniyoshi, Angelo Pinto, A. Schoenhut and Co., Yeteve Smith, Steiff, Paul Anderson Trapp, Paul Travis and David C. "Snap" Wyatt.
    The Ohio Arts Council's Riffe Gallery will also hold a Family Day Workshop Sunday, February 21, 2010 from 2 - 4 p.m. Local artist Helma Groot will help children ages 6-17 construct circus mobiles using plywood templates of clowns, horses, elephants, dancers, lions and more! Participants will decorate the circus-themed shapes with paint, glue, glitter, paper and other festive supplies. Once shapes have been decorated, participants will construct them into a mobile, and take home their own kinetic sculpture. Registration is required as space is limited and all children must be accompanied by a registered adult. Registration begins February 4 and ends February 18, 2010 online at www.riffegallery.org.
    The Ohio Arts Council's Riffe Gallery is located in the Vern Riffe Center for Government and the Arts, 77 S. High St., Columbus, OH. Admission is free. Gallery hours are Tuesday, 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., Wednesday and Friday, 10 a.m. - 5:30 p.m., Thursday, 10 a.m. - 8 p.m. and Saturday, and Sunday, noon - 4 p.m. Closed Mondays and state holidays. Visit www.riffegallery.org or phone 614/644-9624 for more information.

Support Circus World! The Ringlingville courtyard, rebuilt after the 2008 flood, features Circus World's Landmark granite marker, proclaiming the site's National historic status as the Ringling brothers winter quarters. You can dedicate a brick or authentic reproductions of benches, plant urns or table and chair sets. Information link: Circus World.

World Circus Culture film. Angela Snow, documentary filmmaker, is about to begin production on her most recent feature film, World Circus Culture, in conjunction with the Festival International du Cirque de Monte-Carlo and the World Circus Federation. View the trailer for the project: Video (1 min, 30 sec).
    The feature documentary "World Circus Culture" has begun filming. To the Moon Productions is following circus acts around Europe until next year, January 30th, culminating at the Monte Carlo Circus Festival. Big news is they will be highlighting a Cirque du Soleil Russian Bar act, who are competing at the Festival. You can see VIDEOS from the road at videos.
    Follow our travels on our BLOG and FACEBOOK pages!
    Help preserve and promote an understanding and appreciation of circus arts across the world. This film takes the subject of the Circus worldwide and gives it an international perspective as never done before. Visit To the Moon Productions for complete information!

Circus Rosaire. The much anticipated Circus Rosaire dvd is now available for sale on Amazon.com! Just in time for the holiday season, this deluxe 2-discC Special Edition set features the award winning documentary film, along the with an hour long, fun-filled Rosaire Family Circus performance under the Big Top. It also includes nearly 45 minutes of never-before-seen additional scenes and interviews.
    Film Synopsis - For nine generations, the Rosaire family has entertained audiences all over the world with their legendary animal acts. From lions and tigers, to bears, horses and chimpanzees, the Rosaires are renowned for their unique and respectful way of training and performing with animals. At the height of their fame, they headlined shows for royalty, presidents and legions of fans with their spectacular feats. Today they are struggling to survive in the modern age of entertainment. Major declines in audience attendance, and increasing concern for animal welfare have significantly impacted the Rosaires way of life. Their livelihood and future are at risk as they attempt to carry on the family tradition. Filmed over a five-year period, Circus Rosaire is both heartbreaking and hilarious as it takes an intimate, behind the scenes look inside this quintessential circus family. Circus Rosaire has been screened in over 20 film festivals worldwide, and has won numerous awards.    Visit the official film website: www.circusrosairemovie.com

  New! March 2010

Jack B. Moore owned circuses, Tex Carson, Carson & Barnes. Click on Photos on the navigation side bar, then on Shows, Twelve.

Bandwagon indexes updated, including name indexes for 2000-2009 issues.

Adam Forepaugh Circuses, 1878, 1880, 1883, Official Route Books with staff and performers, detailed day-by-day routes. Click on History on the navigation side bar.

P. T. Barnum's Great Traveling Exposition & World's Fair, 1872-73, 1875-77, 1879-80. Official Route Books with staff and performers, detailed day-by-day routes. Click on History on the navigation side bar.

Cooper, Bailey & Co. Circuses, 1876-77, 1879-80. Official Route Books with staff and performers, detailed day-by-day routes. Click on History on the navigation side bar.

Barnum & London Circus, 1881-85. Official Route Books with staff and performers, detailed day-by-day routes. Click on History on the navigation side bar.

  3rd Test Your Circus IQ! Answers:

1.  In what year did the first truly successful motorized circus tour the United States? Answer: 1926, Downie Bros., owned by Andrew Downie McPhee.

2.  In which year did the Adam Forepaugh circus convert from overland to railroad operation? Answer: 1877.

3.  Who owned the Cole Bros. Circus in 1935? Answer: Jess Adkins and Zack Terrell.
    Comment: The Indiana Circus Corporation owned Cole Bros Circus in 1935. With funding coming from Associates Investments of South Bend, IN. Later funding would come from A C Bradley's bank in Rochester, IN. I don't have a break down of share holders in front of me, but I think that Schortemeier, Murden, and Bradley also had a part of the Corp. along with Terrell and Adkins. Don't remember how the ownership percentages broke down. The FDIC had made it very hard to borrow money from banks for startup companies after the crash in 1929. Great job with the web site and check it everyday, regards, p. j. holmes

4.  Who were the last Flatfoots? Answer: Lewis June, J. J. Nathans, Avery Smith, George F. Bailey.

5.  Who invented the first circus stake driver? Answer: George H. Heiser, for Ringling Bros., 1904.

6.  What's the name of the circus hippo that set the record for life in captivity? Answer: Lotus, with Gollmar, Barnes and Ringling-Barnum, 1903 to 1954 inclusive, 52 years.

7.  What important circus innovation took place in 1825? Answer: J. Purdy Brown and his partner, Lewis Bailey, put a tent to use housing the performance.

8.  What's the familiar nickname of the "Gem Bossed Car of Freedom"? "Five Graces" Bandwagon; a misnomer since there were only three mythological graces.

If you didn't answer at least five questions correctly, consider yourself a "First of May." (Questions and answers are from the Circus Historical Society Board of Trustees.)

  Have a Question About Circus History?

Post your circus history message here Circus History Message Board. CHS members and others are encouraged to frequently take a look at the messages posted and reply or participate in a discussion.

  Help solve this 1860 Yankee Robinson Rebus Puzzle

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