Published in the Circus Fans Association of America's periodical White Tops in the 1960s, Charles Gates Sturtevant compiled this list of circus performances in early times in America, and of the later organized travelling circuses for each year down to 1952. He compiled this valuable resource from the records of newspapers, theatrical and sporting journals, programs, bills, posters, route books and other sources. There will be typographical and other errors in this information. Additional sources should be used to confirm the information. Optical Character recognition (OCR) was used for this online edition. Sources and Abbreviations Sturtevant uses.




For information on the circuses and traveling shows prior to 1861, be sure to also consult Stuart Thayer's
Annals of the American Circus 1793-1860.

1850	Welch's National Circus (L B Lent Mgr) (Billboard Apr 30 1921)
1850	Spalding & Rogers N. American Circus Start Floating Palace in fall. (BB F 2 1935) (BB Apr 30 1921) [Spalding & Rogers did not have Floating Palace in 1850. - Stuart Thayer]
1850	Sam Stickney's Circus do [Sam Stickney's Circus did not exist in 1850. - Stuart Thayer]
1850	Dan Rice's Circus do
1850	Robinson & Eldred's do (Clipper Apr 17 1875)
1850	Aron Turner's (G F Bailey Mgr) (BB Apr 30 1921)
1850	John Platt Cranes' N Y Circus [John Platt Crane's NY Circus and Crane & Co.'s Oriental Circus are one and the same. - Stuart Thayer]
1850	R. Sands & Co's Circus [R. Sands & Co. correct title was R. Sands & Lent Circus. - Stuart Thayer]
1850	Raymond and Waring Extensive Menagerie in Chicago June 25 (Wabash Ind Sep 19) (W Scholl records) [Raymond & Waring correct title was Raymond & Co. - Stuart Thayer]
1850	Barnum's Asiatic Caravan (Howes & Co Mgrs) [P. T. Barnum's Asiatic Caravan did not exist in 1850. - Stuart Thayer]
1850	Crane & Co's Oriental Circus at Norwalk Ohio S 3 (Wabash Ind Paper Aug 7.) [John Platt Crane's NY Circus and Crane & Co.'s Oriental Circus are one and the same. - Stuart Thayer]
1850	James A. Rowe's California Circus
1850	E F & J Mabies' Circus Chicago July 3-4 (W. Scholl's records) (Wabash Ind Paper Sept 11)
1850	J M June & Co's Circus (New York Post)
1850	Sands, Quick & Co's Menagerie (New York Post)
1850	Rivers, Runnells & Franklin. (Glenroy's Book)
1850	Southwestern Circus (D W Stone & H P Madigan prs)
1850	Harry Whitby's Circus (in West Indies)
1850	Stone & McCollum
1850	Great U S Circus (Jos Cushing Pr) (T Walsh Coll.)
1851	Rockwell's Circus (in Chicago Oct 6-8) (W Scholl's records)
1851	H H Rumsey's Continental Circus (Billboard Aug 22, 1925)
1851	Model Circus (At Washington Square N.Y.) (Bill in T Walsh Coll)
1851	Coleman's Broadway Circus [There was no Coleman's Broadway Circus in 1851. - Stuart Thayer]
1851	Welch, McCollum - & Risley (In London) (NY Clipper Apr 22 1911 )
1851	Lee and Marshall (California Gold Camps) (Chloupek records) [There was no Lee & Marshall Circus in 1851. - Stuart Thayer]
1851	Hubbel, Brewer, Moore & Co. (In Calif) (Chloupek records)
1851	Foley's Circus (in Calif) (Chloupek records) [There was no Feley's Circus in 1851. - Stuart Thayer]
1851	James A Rowe's Circus (in Australia) (J Rowe's book)
1851	People's Circus (Wabash Ind. Wkly Gazette June 25.)
1852	Welch's National Circus (NY Clipper Apr 17 1875) Clipper My 24 '77.
1852	Spalding & Rogers North American Circus. (on Floating Palace) (opened March Pittsburgh Pa.) (Clipper Apr 4 1874)
1852	Raymond, Waring, Driesbach and Van Amburgh. (Chicago Jun 11-12) CWabash Ind. Wkly Gazette Sept 21 ) (Clipper Apr 17 1875) [Proper name for Raymond, Waring, Driesbach and Van Amburgh was Raymond & Van Amburgh. - Stuart Thayer]
1852	R. Sands & Co (later Sands Nathan & Co) (N Y Post) [Proper name for R. Sands & Co. was Sands & Quick. - Stuart Thayer]
1852	Barnum's Asiatic Caravan & Tom Thumb (SB Howes and L B Lent mgrs) (Chas H Day in Billboard Dec 29, 1906)
1852	J M June's Great French Circus (Chicago July 19-21) (W Scholl)
1852	G C Quick's Menagerie (N Y Clipper Apr 17 1875) [G. C. Quick's Menagerie didn't exist in 1852. - Stuart Thayer]
1852	Dan Rice's Canal Circus
1852	Robinson & Eldred's Circus (Washington D C Daily Advertiser Apr 21)
1852	Rivers & Derious Circus (Washington DC Daily Advertiser Jy 7)
1852	Ed F & Jerry Mabie's Circus
1852	A. McFarland's Circus (In Chicago June 25-30) (W Scholl records)
1852	Joe Pentland's Dramatic Equestrian Establishment (BB D 6 1930)
1852	P A Older & Co's Great U S Circus (At Chicago July 1-5) (Scholl)
1852	Star State Circus (Barney Van Nepps mgr) (Glenroy's book)
1852	Johnson & May's Circus [Proper name of Johnson & May's Circus was Johnson's Empire Circus. - Stuart Thayer]
1852	H C Lee & Co's National Circus Cin Calif.) (Chloupek records) [Proper name of H. C. Lee & Co. was Lee & Marshall. - Stuart Thayer]
1852	James A. Rowe's Circus (in Australia) (Rowes book) (Clipper F 7 '74)
1852	Lee & Marshall's California Circus (Chloupek)
1852	Madigan & Stone (W T Van Orden Mgr) [Madigan & Stone didn't exist in 1852. - Stuart Thayer]
1852	Johnson's Empire Circus
1853	Welch's National Circus (NY Clipper Jun 27 1874)
1853	Spalding & Rogers' Floating Palace Circus.
1853	P T Barnum's Colossal Museum and Menagerie (SB Howes mgr) (in Chicago July 25) (W Scholl's records.)
1853	Franconis' Hippodrome (Avery Smith & J M Nixon mgrs) (N Y Clipper April 17 1875)
1853	R Sand's & Co. (G Quick and Sands prs) (Clipper N 21 1874) [Proper name for R. Sands & Co. was Sands & Quick. - Stuart Thayer]
1853	Welch, Raymond and Driesbach (Clipper Ap 17 1875) [Welch, Raymond & Driesbach did not exist in 1853. - Stuart Thayer]
1853	Rivers and Derious do
1853	Levi J North's Hippodrome Circus & Menagerie do
1853	Stone and Madigan's Great Southern Circus (N Y Post) [Stone & Madigan did not exist in 1853. - Stuart Thayer]
1853	Whitbeck's Circus (Glenroy's book) [Whitbeck's Circus did not exist in 1853. - Stuart Thayer]
1853	Jerry Mables' Circus Driesbach Menagerie (Billy Allees records)
1853	O Ballard's Circus (Philadelphia Public Ledger) [O. Ballard's Circus did not exist in 1853. - Stuart Thayer]
1853	W T Van Orden's Railroad Circus (Spalding & Rogers #2) (At Chicago Aug 23-26) (W Scholl Records)
1853	L G Butler's Great Western Circus (At Chicago Jy 2-4; Nov 11-12) (W Scholl records)
1853	Joe Pentland's (at Chicago Aug 9-10) (W Scholl records) [Joe Pentland's did not exist in 1853. - Stuart Thayer]
1853	Mehrling & Co's Circus (at Chicago May 5-14) (W Scholl)
1853	Wesley Baramore's Circus (at Cincinnati) (CHDay in BB D 29 1906) [Wesley Barmore's Circus did not exist in 1853. - Stuart Thayer]
1853	Lee and Marshall (California) (Chloupek records)
1853	Thomas Melville (in California) do
1853	Jas A Rowe's Circus (in Australia) (Rowes book)
1853	Dan Rice
1853	Mann, Moore & Co (bill in possession of John Grace)
1854	Welch & Lents' National & New York Circuses Combined. (N Y Clipper Apr 17 1875)
1854	Spalding & Rogers Circus & Van Amburgh's Menagerie (Dinges book) (Menagerie on boat and Circus on land) NYClipper Apr 17 1875)
1854	Franconi's & Welch's Hippodrome Combination. (In Chicago July 14-15) (Wabash Ind paper Apr 25) [There was no Franconi & Welch Combination in 1854. - Stuart Thayer]
1854	Sands' & Chiarinis (N Y Post)
1854	R Sands, Nathan & Co [R. Sands, Nathan & Co. didn't exist in 1854. - Stuart Thayer]
1854	Levi J North (Clipper Apr 17 1875)
1854	Orton's Badger Circus do
1854	Raymond & Co's Caravan (Menagerie do [Raymond & Co.'s Caravan didn't exist in 1854. - Stuart Thayer]
1854	Wesley Baramores' Grand Adriatic Circus. do Wabash Ind. Wkly Gazette My 10) (Frank Brown mgr)
1854	Meyers, Madigan & Barton's Great Circus of the Republic (Phila Public Ledger) (Clipper Apr 17 1875)
1854	Stone and Madigan's Great Southern Circus (NY Post) [Stone & Madigan didn't exist in 1854. - Stuart Thayer]
1854	Dan Rices Circus (NY Clipper Oct 24 1874)
1854	Joe Pentland's Circus (Clipper Jan 31, 1874)
1854	Washburn's Circus (Clipper Jan 31 1874) [Washburn's Circus didn't exist in 1854. - Stuart Thayer]
1854	Den Stone's Great Original Railroad Circus. (At Chicago June 23-27) (W Scholl records)
1854	E F & J Mabie's Circus and E Ganung's Menagerie (Scholl) (in Chicago May 12-14) (Wabash Ind paper Aug 16)
1854	L G Butler's Magnificent Arena & Circus. (Scholl) (in Chicago May 18-20)
1854	O Ballard's Philadelphia Circus (Phila Public Ledger)
1854	Harry Whitbeck's Circus (NYClipper 1859 p 366)
1854	Royal Circus (Clipper July 25 1874) [There was no Royal Circus in 1854. - Stuart Thayer]
1854	Lee & Marshall (In California) (Chloupek records)
1854	Fish & Miller's California Menagerie do
1854	B. Runnell's Circus [There was no B. Runnell's Circus in 1854. - Stuart Thayer]
1854	Scopolettie Cuban Circus (Glenroy's book)
1854	Johnson & May (Pete Conklin Billboard 5-22-1919) [There was no Johnson & May in 1854. - Stuart Thayer]
1854	Robinson's Atheneum (established Aug 5, 1845) (Wabash Ind. Wkly Paper May 17) [Robinson's Atheneum was not a circus. - Stuart Thayer]
1855	Welch & Lent's (NY Clipper Apr 17 1875)
1855	Spalding & Rogers Consolidated Floating Palace & N A Circus. (At Chicago Apr 11-14) Museum on boats Circus on wagons. (C J Rogers mgr) (Dingess book) (W Scholl record) [Proper title of Spalding & Rogers was Spalding & Rogers' Two Circuses. - Stuart Thayer]
1855	S B Howes Menagerie & Circus of Meyers & Madigan Combination. (Giraffe and Rhino)
1855	Dan Rice's Circus
1855	Raymond's Caravan and Chiarini's Circus, (Chicago My 30) (Scholl)
1855	Levi J North's Circus (in Chicago May 30) (W Scholls Records)
1855	Sands, Nathan & Cos' American Circus (Chicago June 21-23) do (Wabash Ind Gazette Oct 3)
1855	Van Amburgh Menagerie & Den Stones' Circus Combination (in Chicago July 3-4) (Wabash Ind Gazette Aug 6) do
1855	L G Butler's N American Circus do
1855	Joe Pentland's Circus (NY Clipper Oct 31 1874)
1855	Franconi & Runnell's Cirque Olympique (N Y Post) [There was no Franconi & Runnells Circus in 1855. - Stuart Thayer]
1855	Rivers & Derious (Philadelphia Public Ledger)
1855	Orton's Badger Circus (Billboard Apr 30 1921)
1855	Wesley Bamores (Baramore?) Adriatic Circus do
1855	Ballard & Bailey (Sam Weiser clown) (Clipper p366 1859)
1855	E S Washburn's Great Indian Amphitheatre & Circus (Clipper My 18 '75)
1855	Glenroy, Connor, Richardson & Sharp's (John Glenroy Book) [There was no circus named Glenroy, Conner, Richardson & Sharpe. - Stuart Thayer]
1855	W J Warwick's Great Western Rail Road Circus. (in Chicago June 2-6) (W Scholls records)
1855	Lee & Marshall's National (in California) (Chloupek)
1855	Risley's Vatican Circus (in California) do
1855	Ravel, Blondlin, Dubonchet & Martinetti (California) do [Ravel, Blondin, Duboncher & Martinetti was not a circus. - Stuart Thayer]
1855	Myers and Madigan
1855	Spalding & Rogers Railroad Circus (GR Spalding mgr) Dingess book [Spalding & Rogers Railroad Circus didn't exist in 1855. - Stuart Thayer]
1856	Welch & Lent (National) (NYClipper Jan 27 1877)
1856	Spalding & Rogers Floating Palace (CJ Rogers mgr) (Dingess book) and North American Circus (NYClipper 1856) [Spalding & Rogers 1856 title was North American Circus. - Stuart Thayer]
1856	Spalding & Rogers Railroad Circus (GR Spalding mgr) (Dingess book) Wabash Ind Gazette Aug 6. (Billboard Apr 30 1921) [Spalding & Rogers 1856 title was North American Circus. - Stuart Thayer]
1856	Dan Rice's Circus Clipper Oct 24 '74 Apr 22 '76 do
1856	Jas Meyers & Henry Madigan's Circus do [James Meyers & Henry Madigan's Circus was two separate shows. - Stuart Thayer]
1856	Robinson & Eldred (later sold to Eldred) Billboard Ja 31 1925.
1856	Flagg & Aymar (Later sold to John Robinson NY Clipper 1856)
1856	Rivers & Derious (NYClipper 1856)
1856	E & J Mabie (Delavan Wisc Oct 17) do
1856	Nixon & Meyers do [Nixon & Meyers didn't exist in 1856. - Stuart Thayer]
1856	H P Madigan & Co do
1856	Joe Pentland's do
1856	Jas Raymond's Menagerie divided between Van Amburgh's and Driesbach. do
1856	Sands Nathan & Co. do
1856	Orton's Badger Circus (Delavan Wisc. Sep 13) do
1856	Levi J North (Clipper Apr 17 1875) do
1856	Risley & Pell do [Risley & Pell was not a circus. - Stuart Thayer]
1856	Jim Meyers Circus do
1856	Chiarinis Royal Italian Circus (Glenroys book)
1856	Isaac A VanAmburgh's Menagerie (Clipper Dec 2 1876) [There was never an Isaac Van Amburgh Menagerie. - Stuart Thayer]
1856	Herr Driesbachs' Menagerie (Clipper)
1856	Washburn's Indian Circus (Billboard Apr 30 1921)
1856	Sears & Garrett obit (Billboard Aug 22 1925)
1856	Lee & Bennetts Circus (Clipper Oct 10 1874) [Lee & Bennett's Circus didn't exist in 1856. - Stuart Thayer]
1856	Lee & Marshall's (California) (Chloupek records)
1856	Bartholomew & Co's Pacific Circus (Calif) do
1856	Rowe & Smiths' California Circus (Clipper May 24 1873) [Rowe & Smith's Circus was titled Rowe & Co. - Stuart Thayer]
1856	June, Turner & Bailey (Delavan Wisc June 20) (Braathen's notes) (Wabash Ind Gazette Oct 1) [June, Turner & Bailey was titled G. F. Bailey & Co. - Stuart Thayer]
1856	H Buckley's & Cos' National Circus (Delavan Oct 13) do
1857	Lewis B Lent's New York Circus (NY Clipper 1857)
1857	Spalding & Rogers (Clipper Apr 17 1875) do
1857	S B Howe & Jos. Cushing (Gt Britain) do
1857	Sands, Nathan & Co do
1857	Nixon & Kemp do
1857	Dan Rice do
1857	Rivers & Derious do
1857	John Robinson (Gil Robinson) (Clipper Apr 17 1875) (Clipper 1857)
1857	Levi J North (NY Clipper 1857)
1857	J G Sloat & Jas G Shepherd do
1857	Van Amburgh's Menagerie (Clipper D 26 1874) do
1857	Yankee Robinson do
1857	Herr Driesbach & Co's Menagerie (Clipper S 30 '76) do
1857	H Buckley's & Co Hippodrome (J Dingess agt) do
1857	Holland's Circus do
1857	Orton's Badger Circus do
1857	E F & J Mabie's Circus #1 (S Braathen) #2 do [E. F. & J. Mabie did not have two units. - Stuart Thayer]
1857	Jim Meyer's Circus do
1857	Joe Pentland's Circus do
1857	Smith, Denning & Co. do [Smith, Denning & Co. Circus was titled H. M. Smith Circus. - Stuart Thayer]
1857	John Tryon's Amphitheatre N. Y. Stock Circus (closed this year)
1857	Welch's National Amphitheatre, Philadelphia Stock Circus (Welch died in 1856 but show still operating)
1857	Jas Rowe's Circus (Disbanded in California) [Jas. Rowe's Circus and Pioneer California Circus were one and the same. - Stuart Thayer]
1857	Lee & Bennett (H C Lee mgr in California)
1857	Pioneer California Circus (J Couter Pr & H W Franklin Mgr) [Jas. Rowe's Circus and Pioneer California Circus were one and the same. - Stuart Thayer]
1857	Chiarinis Royal Italian Circus (Abroad) (Glenroys book)
1857	Antonio Bros & Carroll (Dingess)
1857	Major Browns' Monster Colosseum & Great American Circus (R C Satterlee) (Wabash Ind May 6) (Beloit Wisc Jun 4)
1858	L B Lent (Clipper Nov 13 1858)
1858	Spalding & Rogers (Clipper Feb 6 1858)
1858	John Robinson
1858	Yankee Robinson & Burts
1858	Sands and Nathan's (Hartford Conn Apr 30) Flatfoot show
1858	George F Bailey & Co. do
1858	G N Eldred do
1858	Mabies Southern Circus [Mabie's Southern Circus was titled Mabie's Menagerie and Circus. - Stuart Thayer]
1858	Mabie & Crosby (#2 show in the north) (Clipper Apr 17 1875)
1858	Nixon & Kemp's Kemp's Mammoth English Circus J M Nixon's Great American Circus. (Clipper June 24 1876) Wabash Ind. Intelligencer Apr 29.
1858	Orton & Older (Clipper July 24 1858)
1853	Antonio & Wilder
1858	Sloat and Shepherd [Sloat & Shephard didn't exist in 1858. - Stuart Thayer]
1858	Levi J North's Broadway Circus
1858	Joe Pentland
1858	Tournaire & Whitby (Clipper N 28 1874)
1858	Dan Rice (Clipper Apr 17 1875)
1858	Rivers & Derious
1858	Cooper & Myers
1858	Van Amburgh's (two shows "The Golden" "The Red" (Clipper Apr 17 1875)
1858	Sears & Forbes' Menagerie
1858	Ballard, Bailey & Co [Ballard, Bailey & Co. didn't exist in 1858. - Stuart Thayer]
1858	Hinckley & Kimball
1858	Satterlee, Bell & Co.
1858	H C Lee's California Circus
1858	Tom Kings' California Circus (Clipper N 27 1858)
1858	J A Rowe & Jno R Marshall (at Honolulu enroute to Australia) (Clipper Mr 20 1858)
1858	Howes & Cushing (in Gt Britain) (Clipper N 27 1858 Aug 30 1884)
1858	Panch Lopez' Cuban Circus (Glenroys book)
1858	Niblo's & Tryons New York & Welch National at Philadelphia all play indoor stock circuses.
1859	L B Lents'
1859	Spalding & Rogers (Clipper Ap 9 1859)
1859	John Robinson [John Robinson was titled Robinson & Lake. - Stuart Thayer]
1859	Nixon & Kemp (Clipper Mr 18 1876, Jan 8 1859)
1859	George F Bailey & Co
1859	R Sands & Co. (Sands Nathan & Co)
1859	G C Quicks' Menagerie & Circus (Clipper Apr 17 1875) [G. C. Quick's Menagerie didn't exist in 1859. - Stuart Thayer]
1859	Dan Rice (Clipper S 26 1874)
1859	Yankee Robinson
1859	Orton & Older (Clipper Mar 5, 1859)
1859	H Buckley & Co's Hippodrome (Clipper Ja 8 Apr 9 1859)
1859	Mabies Circus (Glenroys book)
1859	Levi J North (Clipper S 23 1876)
1859	Joe Pentland (John G Sloat mgr) (Clipper F 17 1879)
1859	Hyatt & Co
1859	Van Amburgh's Menagerie (Clipper Apr 17 1875)
1859	Howes & Cushing (in Gt Britain)
1859	Rowe & Marshall (return to California from Australia and New Zealand broke.)
1859	John Wilson & Co's Grand California Circus.
1859	National Circus & Hippodrome. (California)
1859	M Kimballs' Olympic Circus do
1859	Jim Meyers Circus (in Great Britain)
1859	Great Broadway Circus
1859	Antonio & Wilders' Great World Circus - Great Tabernacle of Amusements. (Wabash Ind Gazette Sept 29.)
1860	L B Lents Great National Circus
1860	Spalding & Rogers
1860	Niblo & Sloat
1860	George F Bailey & Co
1860	Robinson & Lake
1860	R Sands & Nathans [R. Sands & Nathans was R. Sands & Co. - Stuart Thayer]
1860	Dan Rice
1860	Levi J North
1860	Mabies
1860	Geo. De Havens' Circus (Glenroys book)
1860	Van Amburghs' Menagerie
1860	Antonio Bros' Great Western Circus.
1860	Goodwin & Co's Royal Menagerie
1860	Wm. Cooke's English Circus (at Niblo's Garden, N Y C [Wm. Cooke's English Circus and Nixon's Royal Circus were one and the same. - Stuart Thayer]
1860	Lathrop, Peoples, Franklins' & Cos' Metropolitan Circus. (In California)
1860	John Wilson & Co. (California - had Dan Rice part of season) [John Wilson & Co. was titled Dan Rice. - Stuart Thayer]
1860	Frank Rivers' Melodeon, Philadelphia - Indoor Stock Circus)
1860	Howes & Cushing (in Great Britain)
1860	Orrins' Circus (in Cuba)
1860	Chiarini & Nixons' Circus (in Cuba) [Chiarini & Nixon in Cuba were two separate shows. - Stuart Thayer]
1860	Nixon's Royal Circus [Wm. Cooke's English Circus and Nixon's Royal Circus were one and the same. - Stuart Thayer]
1860	The Great Buckley Show. (Wabash Ind Gazette Aug 30)
1861	Lents' National Circus
1861	Spalding & Rogers' Floating Palace Circus
1861	Robinson & Lake (Wabash Ind Gazette May 30) (Glenroy book)
1861	George F Bailey French & American Circus. (Clipper Jy 8 1911 )
1861	Mabies Menagerie & Nathans Circus Combined.
1861	Yankee Robinson
1861	Richard Sands Circus (Clipper Jy 15 191 1 ) (Glenroy book)
1861	Madigan & Carroll (Clipper Jy 15 1911)
1861	Niblo & Sloat
1861	Geo W DeHaven's Union Circus (Sam Weaver mgr)
1861	Levi J North
1861	Dan Gardner & Richard Hemmings Circus. (Clipper Apr 13, 1873)
1861	Whitby's Circus & Wombold & Co's Menagerie Combined
1861	Goodwin & Wilders' Circus
1861	Antonio Bros Circus (Clipper Sept 5 1874)
1861	Dr. Basset's U S Circus
1861	W W Whites' Great Union Circus
1861	Nixons' Circus
1861	Sam M Weavers' Union Circus
1861	Goodwin and Wombold
1861	Dan Rices' Show (late in season)
1861	Thayer, Noyes & Co's Great U S Circus
1861	Van Amburghs' Menagerie
1861	Joe Pentland's Great New York Circus (toured California)
1861	Dr S S Fosters' Magic Circus (In California)
1861	Bassett & Bartholomews' Circus (in California)
1861	Howes & Cushing (in Great Britain)
1862	L B Lents' Hippozoonomadon (Hartford Conn)
1862	Spalding & Rogers (In South America and West Indies)
1862	Howes and Cushing (in Great Britain)
1862	Robinson & Lake (Clipper July 22-29 1911)
1862	George F Bailey
1862	Goodwin & Wilder (Mrs Dan Rice?)
1862	Gardner & Hemming's Philadelphia National Circus
1862	Joe Pentlands' Great New York Circus
1862	Van Amburghs' Menagerie
1862	Madigans Circus
1862	Thayer, Noyes & Co (Glenroy book)
1862	Antonio Bros.
1862	R Sands Circus (Clipper July 29 1876)
1862	Dan Rice (Wabash Ind Gaz My 15) (Show World D 21 1907)
1862	G W DeHaven's Union Circus
1862	Yankee Robinson (Clipper Jy 22-29 1911)
1862	Mabies' Great Show
1862	Alexander Robinson
1862	Spencer Q Stokes' National Circus.
1862	J M Nixon's Circus
1862	Stone, Rosston & Murray
1862	John Wilsons' Circus (in California)
1862	George Bartholomews' Circus (in California)
1863	L B Lent's Equescurriculurn
1863	Spalding & Rogers (in South America)
1863	Howes & Cushing (in Great Britain)
1863	Robinson's Union Circus (John & Alexander prs)
1863	George F Bailey (22nd Ann [Annual] Tour)
1863	Thayer & Noyes
1863	Dan Rices' Circus
1863	Mrs. Dan Rices' Circus (Brians')
1863	Wm. Lake Circus
1863	R E J Miles' Circus Royal
1863	S Q Stokes' Circus
1863	Yankee Robinson's Triad Show
1863	Ben Maginley's Circus
1863	Mabies' Great Show
1863	Bryan's National Circus and Menagerie
1863	Dan Castellos' Circus
1863	S. O. Wheeler's Circus
1863	Nixon-Macarte Circus
1863	Van Amburgh's Golden Menagerie (Wabash Ind Gazette May 14)
1863	R Sands' Circus
1863	Costello & Van Vlecks' Multiserial Combination Circus. (Clipper Sep 2 1911 ) (Glenroys book)
1863	Jas Robinson & Frank J Howes Chicago Circus (Glenroys book)
1863	Gardner & Hemmings
1863	Haight & DeHaven (Beaver Dam Wisc May)
1863	Geo F Orrins' Circus (in California) (N Y Clipper S 2 1911)
1863	John Wilson's Circus (John Wilson & H C Lee prs California)
1863	Lee, Worrell & Sebastians' Great Circus (in California)
1863	International Circus (F Gilbert pr) (in California)
1864	L B Lent's Equescurriculum (Clipper N 26 1864)
1864	Spalding & Rogers
1864	Howes European (Clipper Nov 26 1864)
1864	Great Union Combination Circus (John Robinson pr) (Wabash Ind May 26)
1864	George F Bailey's Show (Wabash Ind Aug 18)
1864	Stone, Rosston & Co's.
1864	Thayer and Noyes
1864	Yankee Robinson
1864	Gardner & Hemmings'
1864	Van Amburghs'
1864	Wm. Lakes' Hippopympiad.
1864	Metropolitan Circus (Alex Robinson pr) & Deary prs) (N Y Clipper Apr 30, May 21 1864, Dec 2 1911
1864	Jerry Mabies' Menagerie & Circus
1864	Melvilles Australian Circus (Merged later with Stone, Rosston & Co.)
1864	Dan Rices' Circus
1864	Mrs Charles Warners' (Mrs Dan Rice) Great National Circus. (N Y Clipper Dec 2 1911
1864	J M Nixons' Circus
1864	Slaymaker & Nichols' Circus (Goodwin & Wilder props) (Clipper May 14 1864)
1864	The Monitor Circus (Maginley, Black & Co. - Later Maginley & Bell) (Clipper Apr 23 1864)
1864	Tom Kings' & John O'Briens' Excelsior Circus.
1864	Wheeler, Hatch & Hitchcock.
1864	Orton Bros (Clipper Apr 23 1864 - Oct 7, Dec 2 1911)
1864	Jas R Cookes' Circus (Clipper Dec 2 1911)
1864	Rivers & Derious Circus. (Probably little show using famous title)
1864	Dan Castello's Circus
1864	Wilson, Zoyaza & Carlos Circus (in California)
1864	Nagle & Kincades Circus
1864	John Wilsons Circus (in California) (Glenroys book)
1864	Jas Robinson and Frank J Howes Champion Circus (Later Howes & Norton)
1864	Cirque Olympique (In Haiti)
1864	Old Cary's Great Worlds' Circus
1864	George F Orrin & Sons - Orrin & Sebastain (in S. America)
1864	Davis & McLeans Hipporhestron.
1864	G Chiarinis' Royal Circus (In Mexico (Clipper May 7 1864)
1864	Roop & Co's Great Pacific Circus.
1864	L B Lents' Equescurriculum (Clipper May 20)
1865	Seth B Howes European Circus (Wabash Ind Gazette May 18) (Clipper Dec 11, 1911)
1865	George F Bailey
1865	Thayer & Noyes (Clipper Feb 10 1912)
1865	Great Union Combination Circus. (John Robinson pr) (Clipper My 20)
1865	Spalding & Rogers (Quit business Oct 7)
1865	Stone, Rosston & Co
1865	Van Amburgh & Co.
1865	Yankee Robinson
1865	Metropolitan Circus (Alex Robinson Pr & Deery Prs)
1865	Lakes' Hippo-Olympiad.
1865	S O Wheeler's Circus
1865	Dan Rices' Circus (J O'Brien & A Forepaugh Prs)
1865	Dan Rices' Mammoth Menagerie (Wabash Ind Gazette July 6)
1865	Gardner & Hemmings' (Clipper Feb 3 1912)
1865	Haight & DeHaven
1865	Metcalfes' Champs Elysees Circus.
1865	Dan Castello's Circus
1865	DeHaven & Nixon (late season at New Orleans) (Clipper S 13, D 23, 1911)
1865	Mrs Charles Warner's
1865	Orton Bros (Clipper D 23, 1911)
1865	Palmers' Western Circus
1865	Whitmore, Thompson & Cos' Hippocolosiculum
1865	J M Nixon's (Clipper D 23 1911)(Je 10)
1865	Frank J Howes Circus (Glenroys book)
1865	J T Johnson & Co's United States Circus (Clipper Apr 10 1869)
1865	Adam Forepaughs' Quadrapantheon. (Opened Dec. Philadelphia)
1865	Lee & Rylands (California)
1865	Chiarini (Mexico)
1865	Orrin & Sebastian (in West Indies)
1865	Gilberts' Menagerie (In California) (Clipper Jan 16 1912)
1865	Jas. Cooke, Zoyara & Wilson (in California) (Clipper D 23 1911
1866	L B Lents New York Circus at Hippotheatron and enroute.
1866	S B Howes European
1866	John Robinson's Circus
1866	George F Bailey
1866	Van Amburgh & Co.
1866	Yankee Robinson
1866	Alex Robinson.
1866	Stone, Rosston & Co (Clipper Feb 17 1912)
1866	Thayer & Noyes - Thayer, Noyes & J.M.French later)
1866	Gardner Hemmings & Co (Clipper F 17 1912)
1866	Adam Forepaughs'
1866	George W DeHaven & Co (Clipper Mr 31 1866, Mr 2 1912)
1866	Haight & Chambers (Clipper Mr 23 1912)
1866	Geo Metcalfes' New York Champs Elysees Circus (Clipper Mr 23 1912)
1866	S O Wheelers' Metropolitan Circus (Glenroys books)
1866	Mike Lipman & Spencer Q Stokes Circus.
1866	Orton Bros (Clipper My 12 1866, Mr 23 1912)
1866	Lakes' Hippo-Olympiad.
1866	Col. Ames Southern Circus
1866	Palmer's Western Circus
1866	Dan Castello (Clipper Mr 23 1912)
1866	J M Nixon
1866	Dan Rice (J O'Brien Pr)
1866	Thompson, Smith & Howes Great American Hippocoloseculum (Rutland Vt Herald May 19 1866)
1866	The American Hippocoloseculum (Whitmore, Thompson & Co)
1866	The Great Western Circus (Palmers ?)
1866	Coes' Circus (Broke up June 15)
1866	Everett & Wray
1866	Wilson & Zoyara (California)
1866	Lee & Rylands' Cosmopolitan Circus (California)
1866	Orrin and Sebastian (South & Central America)
1866	Frank J Howes ran winter circus for Fox and Henshaw at Philadelphia. (Glenroys book)
1867	L B Lents New York Circus (NY Clipper Jy 13 '12)
1867	S B Howes' European Circus (Flatfoots) Clipper Mr 16 '67)
1867	Adam Forepaugh's Gigantic Circus and Menagerie (Clipper D 28 '12) (Clipper Mar 16 June 1 1867)
1867	Yankee Robinson Quadruple Show (Clipper Mr 16 1867)
1867	John Robinson's (Gil Robinson's book) (Clipper Apr 27 '67)
1867	Alex Robinson's Southwestern Circus (Clipper Mch 16 '67)
1867	Stone, Rosston & Murray
1867	Stone, Rosston & Murray do
1867	Van Amburgh's do (Used title of Barnum Too)
1867	Thayer & Noyes do
1867	Geo. F Bailey's Circus & Menagerie do (Clipper 9-14-'67)
1867	Lakes' Hippo-Olympiad do (Clipper Apr 20)
1867	Haight & Chambers do
1867	Gardner, Hemming & Co.
1867	Mike Lipman (Clipper My 25 1867)
1867	Dan Castello (Clipper Apr 27 '67)
1867	Maginley Carroll & Co (Clipper May 16, '67) (Jy 13 '12)
1867	Metcalfe's Champs Elysees Circus
1867	Whitby & Co's Consolidated Shows (J O'Brien pr) (Clipper Mch 16 '67)
1867	Dan Rice's Great Show do
1867	G G Grady's Old Fashioned Circus (Clipper Mch 30 '67)
1867	Col Charley Ames Menagerie
1867	J M French's Circus, Oriental and Egyptian Caravan (Mrch 16 '67)
1867	S O Wheeler's Great International Circus do
1867	Caldwells Occidental Circus do
1867	The United States Menagerie (Hitchcock, Horn & Cushing Prs.
1867	Geo W DeHaven's Imperial Circus
1867	Orton Bros
1867	Oliver Bells' Circus
1867	Stowes' Circus
1867	Hutchins' Circus
1867	Perry Powers' Circus
1867	J T Johnson's Circus
1867	Orrins' Circus (S. America)
1867	Blight & Munday's Circus (Glenroy's book)
1867	Lee & Ryland' N Y Circus (California)
1867	Bensler & Kelly
1867	The Parisian Circus (To France, Flatfoots & Spalding prs) (Clipper Mch 16, Jun 22 1867)
1867	F J Howes & Joseph Cushing's United States Circus (Glenroy's book)
1868	L. B. Lents New York Circus (Clipper Jy 12 1913)
1868	Howes European Circus (Flatfoots) (Clipper Aug 30 1913)
1868	George F Bailey do
1868	Adam Forepaugh do
1868	John Robinson (Gil Robinson) (Clipper D 5 '68, Mch 21 1914)
1868	Yankee Robinson (Clipper July 12 1913)
1868	Alex Robinson
1868	Van Amburgh's Great Golden Menagerie do
1868	Thayer & Noyes do
1868	Dan Rices' (Clipper Feb 14 1914)
1868	Bryans' Caravan, Circus & Menagerie (Clipper Aug 30 1913)
1868	Gardner & Kenyon (John O'Drien pro) [John O'Brien?]
1868	Stone, Rosston, Murray & Coyle.
1868	Hemmings, Cooper & Whitby
1868	John O'Brien's Circus
1868	Maginley & Carroll (Clipper July 12 1913)
1868	Wm Lake
1868	DeMott & Ward (Clipper Jy 8 1914) (Billboard 2-23-1925)
1868	Rutledge & Co
1868	J M Nixon, Egbert, C Howes & Dan Castello (Clipper Jy 12 1913)
1868	Whitmore & Co Newburyport Mass. May 4 1868
1868	G Orrin in South America
1868	Dan Castello
1868	Haight & Chambers
1868	Bartholomews Horse Circus (Oregon & California)
1868	Hutching's Great World Circus
1868	Jones, Kitch & Co's Northwestern Circus (Broke up*)
1868	Constable & Blaisdell's Golden State Circus (California) (Clipper Feb 14 1914)
1868	Mrs Charles Warner (nee Dan Rice) Indoor Circus
1868	Col. C L Ames New Orleans Circus (Clipper Aug 30 1913)
1868	Jas E Cookes' Indoor Circus
1868	John Wilson's Circus (California, India & China (Clipper Jun 7 '13)
1868	Frank J Howes Trans Atlantic (Lyman Hitchcock pro) Glenroy Broke up
1868	S P Stickney's Great Paris Circus (California)
1868	Romelli & Co (J T White Gen Agt)
1868	Luanders'
1869	L B Lent's New York Circus (N Y Clipper Mch 27 1869)
1869	Howes' European Circus (flatfoots) do
1869	Adam Forepaugh do (Billboard F21 1925)
1869	John Robinson do (Gil Robinson book)
1869	Yankee Robinson Consolidated Circuses do
1869	George F Bailey do
1869	Alex Robinson International Hippocomique & World Circus. do
1869	John Bryan's Grand Menagerie, Circus & Caravan do
1869	Van Amburgh's Golden Menagerie (Henry Barnum mgr) do
1869	Campbell's N.Y. & Phila. Zoological & Equestrian Institute do
1869	Hemmings, Cooper & Whitby do
1869	Stone & Murray (N Y Clipper Mch 27, My 15 '69)
1869	Dr. James L. Thayer's Circus do
1869	James Robinson's Champion Circus & Gardner and Henyons' Menagerie. (New York Clipper May 15 1869)
1869	J M French's Oriental Circus & Egyptian Caravan. (Clipper My 15 '69)
1869	Dan Rice's Circus (Clipper Mch 27 1869)
1869	Dan Castello (In California) do
1869	Stowe and Norton's Western World Circus do
1869	Col. C T Ames' New Orleans Circus & Menagerie do
1869	G G Grady's Old Fashioned American Circus (Clipper Apr 3 1869)
1869	Lakes' Hippo-Olympiad (Clipper Mch 27 1869)
1869	Orton & Co's Circus do
1869	J T Johnson & Co's U S Circus (Clipper May 15 1869)
1869	M O'Connor & Co's Circus do
1869	Chas. W Noyes Crescent City Circus
1869	Mrs Charles Warner's Gt Nat Circus
1869	Lee & Ryland's (in California) (Clipper Feb 6 1869)
1869	John Wilson do
1869	Chiarini do
1869	S Stickney (Clipper Mch 27 1869)
1869	Bartholomew's Great Western (In California)
1869	Great World Circus & Menagerie do

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Abbreviations: Help with some of the abbreviations found in this listing:

BB = Billboard; S & T Jour/Journal - Sporting and Theatrical Journal.
do = ditto
Gt = Great; Cent = Central (e.g. Cent America). Many place names are abbreviated, e. g. Bost. for Boston, W. I. for West Indies.
Prs, pro = Proprietors
Circuses: RB for Ringling Bros., etc.
Months: My=May, Jy=July, S=September, N=November, D=December, etc.
Sources Sturtevant lists:
Bentley. The diary of William Bentley, D.D., pastor of the East Church, Salem, Massachusetts. By William Bentley, 4 volumes, Salem, Essex Institute 1905-1914.

Braathen. Private collection of Sverre O. Braathen. This collection is now largely at the Illinois State University, Bloomington, Illinois.

T. A. Brown's History. Brown, T. Allston, A history of the New York stage, from the first performance in 1732 to 1901, Publisher B. Blom, 1964, 3 volumes (first published, New York, 1903).

Chloupek records, Circus fan and collector James V. Chloupek took notices from scrapbooks and posters and supplied them to Sturtevant.

C A Day, Charles H. Day, circus press agent. He contributed articles to the New York Clipper, Billboard, New York Dramatic Mirror, and the Sporting and Theatrical Journal for over thirty-five years. Also penned several short volumes, such as Show Life.

Greenwood. Greenwood, Isaac J. The Circus: Its Origin and Growth prior to 1835, NY: Burt Franklin, 1970 (originally published 1898).

Glenroy's. John Glenroy, Ins and Outs of Circus Life, Boston, MA: M. M. Wing, 1885.

O'Dell's [sic]. Odell, George Clinton Densmore, Annals of the New York Stage, New York: Columbia University Press, 1927-1949, 15 volumes.

Scholl's. Private collection of Walter Scholl. Sholl's collection is now largely at Illinois State University, Bloomington, Illinois, but a second collection was dispersed piecemeal in the 1990s.

Gil Robinson. Gil Robinson, Old wagon show days, Cincinnati, OH: Brockwell Company, 1925.

Rowes Memories. Joseph Andrew Rowe, memoirs and personal correspondence relative to the circus business through the gold country in the 50's. Albert Dressler (Editor), California's Pioneer Circus,1926.

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