Circus World Wagons

This was actually RBBB # 145, an all steel construction and showing great signs of rusting out. This is a Dom Yodice photo.

Circus World Wagons

Another Dom Yodice photo.

Circus World Wagons

This was RBBB wagon # 10. Here it's parked away from the public at Circus World. This is a Dom Yodice photo.

Circus World Wagons

Another Dom Yodice Photo.

Circus World wagons

Today we are fortunate enough to enjoy some photos from the Dom Yodice collection. Dom is a Ringling historian and Dom and I started talking about the RBBB wagons that ended up on display at Circus World.

Here are two wagons that were at Circus World. The Charlie Baumann tiger act came from Europe in this cage plus one other carrying a total of eight tigers. I have been told that this was actually exhibited in the menagerie section of the RBBB Madison Square Garden date in 1964.

Was this cage scrapped or sold to someone?

Circus World wagons

Here is another photo from Dom Yodice of the Baumann cage at Circus World.

Circus World wagons

This is a Dom Yodice photo. It was taken Nov. 10, 1978 at Circus World. As many of you already know, only two of the RBBB giraffe wagons still survive. One is at Circus World Museum and this one is now at the Hall of Fame.

We know this wagon was at the Bob Deitsch Zoo in New Jersey in the 1960's as it went back to Madison Square Garden for the big Menagerie exhibit each year. RBBB technically owned the wagon. When was it removed from New Jersey and brought to Circus World, I don't know.

Now here's the BIG Million Dollar question. When Circus World was auctioned off in 1985, who bought this wagon? The Hall of Fame in Peru wasn't established until 1995 but the wagon is there now.

Circus World wagons

This is a Dom Yodice photo. This Giraffe wagon is now at the International Circus Hall of Fame in Peru, Indiana.

Baby Elephant Born

Peter Stolk posted this on our Elephant gossip site on Facebook today.

Columbus Zoo Trumpets News of Elephant Birth.

The much anticipated birth of an Asian elephant calf at the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium occurred on March 27 at approximately 2:35 p.m. after a 655 day gestation period. The male calf stood within minutes.This is 21-year-old Phoebe's third offspring and her second with sire Coco, 38 years of age. Phoebe and Coco made Columbus Zoo history on April 16, 2004 with the arrival of Bodhi (BO-dee), the Zoo's first successful elephant birth.

Source: Email-newsletter Columbus Zoo

Bandwagon

Ladies and Gentlemen, Boys and Girls......... Children of all ages, the Circus Historical Society proudly presents the Jan. / Feb. issue of the 53rd Annual Edition of the Bandwagon. Brought to you in full color, this issue is an amazing 48 pages long featuring a 26 page article about the Campbell Bros. Circus out of Fairbury, Nebraska, the life and times of legendary animal man, Frank C. Bostock, the story of Donald Burns, a New York animal trader and showman and much, much, more.

If you are a member of the Circus Historical Society, this exciting issue will be in your hands very soon. If you are not a member, then you are missing a huge part of Circus History. Go to the Official CHS website at http://www.circushistory.org/ Here you can find an application to join along with a simple on-line payment through Paypal. What a great way to get started in the new year with Circus History never told anywhere before. Get your copy of the Bandwagon, today!

Wagons at Circus World in Florida

Here's one more. This Air Calliope was built at Circus World and remains in private ownership somewhere.

From the conversations I have had this weekend, it appears that I do not have a picture of the Giraffe wagon when it was at the Circus World Park. It is now at the International Circus Hall of Fame in Peru, IN. There is also some question as to whether Generator wagon # 11 was there or not. If it was, I don't have a picture of it there either.

Wagons at Circus World in Florida

The other day on Buckles blog ( http://bucklesw.blogspot.com ) The issue of Circus World was explored. I asked who bought the wagons that were there. Dom Yodice was able to give the following reply:

"Bob, The former Ringling wagons that were at Circus World were as follows: 3 short ammo cages, #83 giraffe wagon, #145 prop wagon, #61 prop wagon, #124 large office and #10 menagerie supply. Supposedly #11 generator was also there but I don't remember seeing it. Alan Hill purchased the three ammo cages and the 85 hippo cage plus some of the small spec floats. He used them for several years at the Sarasota Festival. I don't recall who purchased the other wagons.The giraffe wagon, #145 props and two of the ammo cages are currently at the Circus Hall of Fame in Peru. The hippo den #85, #73 ammo cage and #10 menagerie supply are currently at the Circus World Museum in Baraboo as you well know. I don't know the final disposition of #61 and #124. Perhaps someone can help us with those two wagons. Dom Yodice"

So now, I offer the photos of wagons I took at Circus World during my visits. Maybe someone can help identify the actual wagons now that we can see them.

Wagons at Circus World in Florida

I'm pretty sure this was an original RBBB cage also. As close as the bars are, I doubt that this was built for Circus World.

Wagons at Circus World in Florida

Wagons at Circus World in Florida

Wagons at Circus World in Florida

One of the Ammo cages was still good enough to house leopards.

Wagons at Circus World in Florida

Wagons at Circus World in Florida

Wagons at Circus World in Florida

Wagons at Circus World in Florida

Wagons at Circus World in Florida

Is this the Office wagon # 124?

Wagons at Circus World in Florida

I think the number 115 is decieving as 115 had been one of the Side Show Banner Wagons and all 4 of those are at the Ringling Musuems. This was taken in the backyard area away from Public view.

Wagons at Circus World in Florida

This is Numbered 74 and painted yellow. The next photo shows the bars cut in the front corner for the kids so I'm wondering if these are in fact the same cage or not.

Wagons at Circus World in Florida

Same cage painted Red.

Circus World Museum - 1960

Circus World Museum - 1960

This is one of the two remaining RBBB Giraffe wagons. The other one went to Circus World, the Florida Amusement Park and now resides at the International Circus Hall of Fame in Peru, IN.

Circus World Museum - 1961

This is the RBBB Warren flatcars and stock car # 349 taken a year later from a different angle.

Circus World Museum - 1960

These were the two Warren flatcars that were bought from RBBB along with the stock car. For the first few years, they were here outside and occasionally had a wagon or two on them.

Circus World Museum

This is the Circus World Museum in Baraboo, WI. The photo was taken in 1968. Notice the BLUE railcar behind the Merry-Go-Round. This was a Baggage car that the Museum utilized for a lot of exhibits on the inside where the customers could walk thru the car.

According to the work that Fred Dahlinger Jr. did while he was employed at the Museum, this car was built by the Barney and Smith Co. in 1911. It served on the Milwaukee Railroad as car # 1025. It was gifted to the Museum by the CMStP&P Railroad in 1964. ( Can someone help with those initials? )

Somewhere along the line it was repainted Yellow. It was last used in the 1980's as an exhibit car.

Circus World Museum

Now retired, the car sits on a storage track outside of the train shed buildings. In the previous picture dated 1968, you can see the customers had access to the many exhibits inside the RBBB advertising car and inside this one. Now neither are used for any exhibits.

Cole Bros. Circus

I Think this is the same cage as seen in the next picture 40 years later. I've been told this was built on the Cole show in 1937. My dad took this picture at the Paul Kelly farm in the late 1950's. If it is indeed the same cage, then it is at the International Circus Hall of Fame in Peru, IN. now.

Circus Hall of Fame

I took this picture at the Paul and Dorothy Kelly farm a couple years before they had their sale. This cage wagon went to the Circus Hall of Fame I believe. Does anyone have a picture of it now?

Circus Hall of Fame

Here's a picture I took at the Paul and Dorothy Kelly farm a couple years before they had a sale that sent this and the cage behind it to the Circus Hall of Fame. As Dave Price pointed out today, this is the only Curtis cage or Corporation Cage as they weere sometimes called that exists anywhere other than the survivors at the Circus World Museum in Baraboo, WI.

Circus Hall of Fame

I had the opportunity to speak with Director, Tom Dunwoody at the Circus Historical Society convention last September. He told me the International Circus Hall of Fame was now 16 years old and had just completed the most successful season ever. They have made great strides in preserving what they have.

The International Circus Hall of Fame also prepares each spring with a work week, where Circus enthusiasts are all given the opportunity to come to Peru for a week and plant gardens, paint wagons, do some restoration, etc. as is needed in the final preparations to opening another season in the former American Circus Corporation barns and quarters.

Circus Hall of Fame

Circus Hall of Fame

Circus Hall of Fame

You may remember this as being on the inside of the main entrance building beside the Two Hemispheres Bandwagon while in Sarasota. This wagon has been under cover for a very long time and is in very good condition. Correct me if I'm wrong but wasn't this a Sig Sautlette Bandwagon?

Circus Hall of Fame

As you can see from one of the photos below, this wagon is looking a lot better now!

Circus Hall of Fame

When the Circus Hall of Fame was open in Sarasota, all the wagons sat outside all the time. By the time it closed, they were not in the best of condition anymore. The Circus Hall of Fame wagons were then taken to the Royal American Shows winter quarters in Tampa, Florida where they sat outside in the weather for several more years.

By time the International Circus Hall of Fame had been established in Peru, Indiana at the old American Circus Corporation winter quarters, these wagons had been sitting outside for over 35 years since RBBB closed under canvas.

When John Zweifel sold most of the Circus Hall of Fame collection to Peru, there wasn't much to talk about with some of these wagons. Peru, then found themselves in the battle of time and temperature in trying to restore what they could and create a new Museum at the same time.

Circus Hall of Fame

Now moved to Peru, IN.

Circus Hall of Fame

Now moved to Peru, IN.

Circus Hall of Fame

Now moved to Peru, Indiana.

Circus Hall of Fame

As many of you know, the original Circus Hall of Fame was in Sarasota, Florida just down the street from the Ringling Art Museums. When RBBB closed up under canvas, 90% of what they owned wasn't needed anymore. Every body was buying equipment and animals. Rail cars were sold off as scrap metal and a few to individuals. Clyde Beatty bought one of the arenas. The Ringling Museums and the Circus Hall of Fame bought a lot of the surplus wagons for their Displays.

Around 1980, my Dad and I toured Florida for a couple weeks. When we visited the Royal American Shows winter quarters in Tampa, Florida, we found a good majority of the old Circus Hall of Fame wagons that had come from Ringling stored there. The Circus Hall of Fame had been sold and closed. Royal American had bought a lot of the Ringling train cars including the Thrall flats. A couple of the stock cars were sitting on the ground being used for storage sheds.

It doesn't take a lot to realize that when the International Circus Hall of Fame in Peru, IN. was established 16 years ago and they bought some of the Circus Hall of Fame collection from John Zweifel, that the wagons were in pretty bad shape and falling apart a little bit more every day. Some were basically junk metal. They were falling apart.

Circus Hall of Fame

This is some of the old Circus Hall of Fame wagons in storage at the Royal American Shows winter quarters in Tampa, Fl.

Circus Hall of Fame

This is some of the old Circus Hall of Fame wagons in Storage at the Royal American Shows winter quarters in Tampa, Fl.

The "Texas"

A Couple weeks ago, well maybe it was last summer now, it seems like just yesterday but ... What? 40 years ago? Well anyway, several of us Journalistic type folks were all having this conference on reporting the news at the Circus World Museum. It was truly amazing to see how things looked at the time. On the particular days that Jim Peterson and I were there strolling around interviewing all the wagons about their life histories and such, we ran into fellow Circus Historical Society member Steve Flint who was busily painting the "Texas" railcar. After much time was spent visiting, we watched Steve removing the rust, priming the car, bondo in the cracks kind of stuff and offered our expert advise at the same time. We headed up the hill and visited with Slick and Slim a little while before they had to load the train, and when we headed back down the hill, this car had changed right then and there. Well naturally we wanted to interview this Mr. Flint as this was amazing. We were told he was already up in the wagon barns helping rebuild a wagon or two. We couldn't find him as he had gone to the train sheds to paint one of the flatcars with another Graphic artist. By time we got through those gates and saw the artist at work, Mr. Flint had finished his car and headed up to the Library to do some research. We never did get to interview him. we just went to the Log Cabin for supper instead. Such is the life of these journalistic endeavors, Right Jim?

The "Texas"

Was this on the John Robinson Show at one time? It seems to me that I have read it that before. Needless to say, Jim and I were quite surprised to see this sitting on the shores of the Mighty Baraboo.

The "Texas"

Jim Peterson and I came back from the wagon pavillion about two hours later and Whoo Hoo, this car had already been repainted. Man that Steve Flint was fast.