The most noticeable trait of this vehicle is the extremely short wheel base and rounded frame horns. This indicates that the vehicle was originally intended for early day semi truck use. This photo was taken in 2005 at the Intenational Circus Hall of Fame in Peru.Sunday, March 04, 2012
RBBB Mack truck # 234 ( from Steve Flint )
The most noticeable trait of this vehicle is the extremely short wheel base and rounded frame horns. This indicates that the vehicle was originally intended for early day semi truck use. This photo was taken in 2005 at the Intenational Circus Hall of Fame in Peru.
Friday, March 02, 2012
Stake Drivers
The Campbell Bros. Great Consolidated Shows were driving stakes by hand in 1908 as evidenced in this Jim McRoberts photo.It is with a subject matter such as a parade wagon or maybe a carving that I realize how astute a circus historian Mr. Fred Dahlinger Jr. has become over the years. I'm grateful to have become a friend of his and have learned from the "Master" on more than one occassion.
Fred is not only a world class historian when it comes to calliopes but stake drivers became a "driving' passion of his in which he covered them quite well in the Bandwagon issues including January / February 1999, March / April 1999 and July / August 1999 of which all are available as back issues on the CHS website www.circushistory.org
Stake Drivers
This is a three headed stake driver on the 1938 Robbins Bros. Circus. It later was used on the Cole Bros. Circus.I sure hope someone will correct me if I'm wrong, but I THINK this is the one that survives at the International Circus Hall of Fame.
Stake Drivers
Note the swivelling turntable this unit is mounted on. This sure had to be hard on these old Mack trucks. This is from the Ringling / Barnum show in the 1940's.I might be mistaken and I'm hoping someone will jump in here and give us the straight answer, but I THINK this is one of the two macks that still survives at the Circus Hall of Fame.
Stake Drivers
Used on the Ringling / Barnum show in the 1940's, I've been told these two units were used inside the Big Top driving stakes for the riggings and props as well as helping on some of the smaller tops on the lot.
Stake Drivers
Here's an old military halftrack that was used on Ringling / Barnum and later sold to the Al G. Kelly-Miller Bros. Circus.Wednesday, February 29, 2012
CHS Convention in Baraboo June 13-16th
You don't want to miss out on the Hotel rooms or the great opportunity June will bring in Baraboo. Get your reservations in ASAP. Things are filling up fast. Go to the CHS website at http://www.circushistory.org/Conference/convention.htmTo make the CHS Convention as attractive as possible, a special room rate of $66.00 (not including room tax) per night has been negotiated with the Clarion Hotel, 626 Highway 12, Baraboo, WI 53913, 608-356-6422. To ensure getting your reservation at this very busy popular tourist area, call early and ask for the special CHS rate before May 12th. Hotel information: Glacier Rock Clarion.
Wednesday, February 22, 2012
Saturday, February 18, 2012
Can you help?
I just finished scanning and cropping another photo album again last night. This is Ringling / Barnum from 1940 to 1956. This photo is an 8 x 10 glossy. I want to say that I have seen this photo before. The only markings in this album say circa 1948. No mention of location or photographer.Does anyone have anymore information on it? It's a great photo.
Wednesday, February 15, 2012
Nik Wallenda will walk Niagara Falls
Wallenda's Niagara Falls tightrope walk is a go
By CAROLYN THOMPSON Associated Press
NIAGARA FALLS, Ontario (AP) — Daredevil Nik Wallenda is set to walk a 1,800 foot tightrope across Niagara Falls this summer, a feat the seventh-generation member of the famed Flying Wallendas said has been his childhood dream.
"I feel like I'm on top of the world," Wallenda said Wednesday after the Niagara Parks Commission, which months ago refused even to consider the idea, voted unanimously to allow the walk between the United States and Canada.
Approval from the Canadian panel was Wallenda's largest remaining obstacle after he convinced the New York Legislature to pass a bill allowing the walk last year.
Wallenda plans to run a custom-made 2-inch wire 60 to 70 feet above the 160-foot gorge, which will dip down in the middle, meaning he'll walk downhill during the first half of the 30- to 40-minute walk and uphill until the end.
"My dream really is to walk down through that mist and walk back out," he said.
Wallenda has until the end of March to work out details of the walk, including its start and end points. He has a deal with Discovery television to broadcast the spectacle live.
While U.S. authorities immediately saw a potential economic and tourism boom, the Canadian panel feared such a stunt would cheapen the natural wonder of the falls and invite a return to the carnival-like atmosphere seen beginning in the mid-1800s, when daredevils sailed over the brink in barrels with mixed success and tightrope walkers traversed the gorge, though never the falls themselves.
The commissioners reconsidered the request after Wallenda gained the support of Ontario tourism minister Michael Chan and elected officials. They overcame their concerns by making the walk a once-in-a-generation event. Future walks will be considered only once every 20 years.
"Our primary focus is on recognizing that daredevil acts and stunting, tightrope walking, that they form part of the rich history of Niagara Falls itself and it's being recognized and in a way paid tribute to," Commission Chairwoman Janice Thomson said. "What we're attempting to do here is control it and treat it as a tribute."
The panel also was reassured by studies showing the walk wouldn't cost them anything and had the potential to increase revenue, she said. Wallenda will fund the walk himself.
"This has been a dream of mine ever since I was 6 years old," said the daredevil, who holds six Guinness World Records, including one set in 2008 for the longest distance and greatest height ever traveled by bicycle on a high wire.
http://www.nikwallenda.com
By CAROLYN THOMPSON Associated Press
NIAGARA FALLS, Ontario (AP) — Daredevil Nik Wallenda is set to walk a 1,800 foot tightrope across Niagara Falls this summer, a feat the seventh-generation member of the famed Flying Wallendas said has been his childhood dream.
"I feel like I'm on top of the world," Wallenda said Wednesday after the Niagara Parks Commission, which months ago refused even to consider the idea, voted unanimously to allow the walk between the United States and Canada.
Approval from the Canadian panel was Wallenda's largest remaining obstacle after he convinced the New York Legislature to pass a bill allowing the walk last year.
Wallenda plans to run a custom-made 2-inch wire 60 to 70 feet above the 160-foot gorge, which will dip down in the middle, meaning he'll walk downhill during the first half of the 30- to 40-minute walk and uphill until the end.
"My dream really is to walk down through that mist and walk back out," he said.
Wallenda has until the end of March to work out details of the walk, including its start and end points. He has a deal with Discovery television to broadcast the spectacle live.
While U.S. authorities immediately saw a potential economic and tourism boom, the Canadian panel feared such a stunt would cheapen the natural wonder of the falls and invite a return to the carnival-like atmosphere seen beginning in the mid-1800s, when daredevils sailed over the brink in barrels with mixed success and tightrope walkers traversed the gorge, though never the falls themselves.
The commissioners reconsidered the request after Wallenda gained the support of Ontario tourism minister Michael Chan and elected officials. They overcame their concerns by making the walk a once-in-a-generation event. Future walks will be considered only once every 20 years.
"Our primary focus is on recognizing that daredevil acts and stunting, tightrope walking, that they form part of the rich history of Niagara Falls itself and it's being recognized and in a way paid tribute to," Commission Chairwoman Janice Thomson said. "What we're attempting to do here is control it and treat it as a tribute."
The panel also was reassured by studies showing the walk wouldn't cost them anything and had the potential to increase revenue, she said. Wallenda will fund the walk himself.
"This has been a dream of mine ever since I was 6 years old," said the daredevil, who holds six Guinness World Records, including one set in 2008 for the longest distance and greatest height ever traveled by bicycle on a high wire.
http://www.nikwallenda.com
CHS Convention in Baraboo June 13-16th
( Circus World Museum in 1965 - Richard Cline photo )Ladiiiiiieeeeeeeeeeeesssss and Gentlemennnnnnn! Hurry, Hurry, Hurry over to the wonderful Circus Historical Society website and sign up for this year's amazing Convention in lovely Baraboo, Wisconsin. In addition to the two days of Historical presentations, there is the always great CHS Fundraising auction, the Featured Banquet Friday evening, the Circus Kirk Discussion Panel Saturday morning at the Circus World Museum and then rest of the day at Circus World Museum where you'll see the terrifically detailed counterparts of the Circus Model Builders in the wagon pavillion, the live performances, musical instruments, and other marvelous historical displays plus a tour of CWM's Parkinson Research Library.
ANYONE Can attend the Convention. You do not have to belong to the CHS. Registration of $140.00 per person covers the Banquet, a couple lunches, Circus World Museum all day on Saturday. There will also be a special evening meal Saturday at the Museum.
Go to http://www.circushistory.org/Conference/convention.htm Use PayPal or print it and mail it to me. It's going to be HUGE!
Tuesday, February 14, 2012
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