Sunday, April 19, 2009
Saturday, April 18, 2009
Cole Bros. Circus - 1949
The Cole Bros. Circus played Sandusky, Ohio on June 25, 1949. These photos were all taken by my uncle, William Lerche of Bellevue, Ohio. They are in his scrapbooks. I took photos of his photos to share with all here on the blog.
Visit a Zoo
This is the lead article on the Yahoo web page this morning.
America's Best Zoos
By Diana DeCicco
Philadelphia Zoo
Philadelphia
With over 1,300 animals living on the 42-acre Victorian garden, the Philadelphia Zoo turns 150 years old this year and is celebrating all year long with special events and exhibits. As America’s first zoo, it is one of the nation’s foremost conservation organizations, protecting and breeding endangered species. This year it will open the McNeil Avian Center, a $17 million “green” renovation of the original 1916 Bird House, now home to four walk-through habitats with more than 100 exotic birds. Visitors can also take a ride on the Channel 6 Zoo balloon, a hot-air balloon that rises 400 feet above the zoo for amazing views of the animals and the Philadelphia skyline.
In Pictures: More of America's Best Zoos
San Diego Zoo
San Diego
One of the largest and most progressive zoos in the world, the 100-acre San Diego Zoo is home to more than 4,000 animals representing more than 800 species, including the rare giant panda, one of only four zoos in the country that house these highly endangered bears. The zoo has been a pioneer in cageless exhibits including the famous Polar Bear Plunge, where more than 30 species of animals frolic in the Artic tundra in the middle of sunny San Diego. The San Diego Zoo also encompasses Wild Animal Park, an 1,800-acre wildlife sanctuary with more than 3,500 animals, and San Diego Conservation Research Center, which is dedicated to preserving rare and endangered species.
Bronx Zoo
New York City
The largest metropolitan zoo in the United States, the Bronx Zoo sits on 265 acres of parklands and natural habitats, has more than 4,000 animals, and welcomes over 2 million visitors each year. Last year a Madagascar habitat opened, which showcases the exotic wildlife (lemurs, hissing cockroaches, and tomato frogs to name a few) and bizarre landscapes (a dry forest, an underwater cave, a desert, and a rainforest). Other notable features are the Congo Gorilla Forest, which is the largest rainforest ever built and the tiger enrichment sessions at Tiger Mountain, where you can watch these amazing cats jump, dive and do puzzles.
Brookfield Zoo
Chicago
Just outside of Chicago sits 216 acres of zoo featuring a top-notch dolphin exhibit, butterfly garden, and an innovative family play zoo. Brookfield’s 450 species live in a barless environment, the first of its kind in the United States, with only moats and natural barriers separating human from animal. Dr. Stuart Strahl, president and CEO of the Chicago Zoological Society and director of the Brookfield Zoo says “the mission of Brookfield is to inspire conservation leadership by connecting people with wildlife and nature.” Not to be missed is the Australia House where visitors can experience the world of down under with wombats, emus, free-flying fruit bats, and of course kangaroos.
Disney's Animal Kingdom
Orlando, Fla.
With more than 1,700 animals spread across 500 acres of fertile landscape, Disney’s Animal Kingdom is the largest animal theme park in the world. Just don’t call it a zoo. Since its opening in 1998, the park has led the way in animal care, research, and education, focusing heavily on animal and environmental conservation. Highlights of the seven differently themed areas include a must-see safari through the “African Savannah,” the Expedition Everest rollercoaster—complete with a Yeti—for thrill seekers; the Tree of Life, a 14-story, 50-foot wide tree engraved with 325 animal forms where the theatrical adventure “It’s Tough to be a Bug!” is presented. Visitors can get close enough to pet some of the animals, and, if you’re lucky, get an autograph.
Denver Zoo
Denver
Starting out in 1896 with only one resident, a black bear named Billy Bryan, the Denver Zoo has since grown to 3,500 animals over 80 acres. As Colorado’s number one cultural attraction, a master plan was implemented in 1996 to continually modernize zoo habitats and visitor amenities; they hope to break ground on the Asian Tropics exhibit soon. The latest habitat to be renovated was Predator Ridge, built to resemble Kenya’s Samburu National Game Reserve and is home to two prides of lions, spotted hyenas, African wild dogs, and crowned cranes, among others. The zoo also cares for some unique animals including four extinct species and Mshindi, the world’s only rhinoceros that can paint with a brush.
Smithsonian National Zoological Park
Washington D.C.
Located in the nations’ capital and part of the largest museum and research complex in the world, it is only fitting that the National Zoo is among the best in the country. Nearly 400 species, many of them threatened or endangered, reside on the 163-acre park while others live at the Conservation and Research Center where endangered animals are bred and studied in conjunction with conservation efforts. Some of the zoo’s more famous occupants are three giant pandas and a recently added western lowland gorilla born in January. More than two million people visit the zoo each year, making it one of D.C.’s most popular destinations—the free admission doesn’t hurt.
In Pictures: More of America's Best Zoos
America's Best Zoos
By Diana DeCicco
Philadelphia Zoo
Philadelphia
With over 1,300 animals living on the 42-acre Victorian garden, the Philadelphia Zoo turns 150 years old this year and is celebrating all year long with special events and exhibits. As America’s first zoo, it is one of the nation’s foremost conservation organizations, protecting and breeding endangered species. This year it will open the McNeil Avian Center, a $17 million “green” renovation of the original 1916 Bird House, now home to four walk-through habitats with more than 100 exotic birds. Visitors can also take a ride on the Channel 6 Zoo balloon, a hot-air balloon that rises 400 feet above the zoo for amazing views of the animals and the Philadelphia skyline.
In Pictures: More of America's Best Zoos
San Diego Zoo
San Diego
One of the largest and most progressive zoos in the world, the 100-acre San Diego Zoo is home to more than 4,000 animals representing more than 800 species, including the rare giant panda, one of only four zoos in the country that house these highly endangered bears. The zoo has been a pioneer in cageless exhibits including the famous Polar Bear Plunge, where more than 30 species of animals frolic in the Artic tundra in the middle of sunny San Diego. The San Diego Zoo also encompasses Wild Animal Park, an 1,800-acre wildlife sanctuary with more than 3,500 animals, and San Diego Conservation Research Center, which is dedicated to preserving rare and endangered species.
Bronx Zoo
New York City
The largest metropolitan zoo in the United States, the Bronx Zoo sits on 265 acres of parklands and natural habitats, has more than 4,000 animals, and welcomes over 2 million visitors each year. Last year a Madagascar habitat opened, which showcases the exotic wildlife (lemurs, hissing cockroaches, and tomato frogs to name a few) and bizarre landscapes (a dry forest, an underwater cave, a desert, and a rainforest). Other notable features are the Congo Gorilla Forest, which is the largest rainforest ever built and the tiger enrichment sessions at Tiger Mountain, where you can watch these amazing cats jump, dive and do puzzles.
Brookfield Zoo
Chicago
Just outside of Chicago sits 216 acres of zoo featuring a top-notch dolphin exhibit, butterfly garden, and an innovative family play zoo. Brookfield’s 450 species live in a barless environment, the first of its kind in the United States, with only moats and natural barriers separating human from animal. Dr. Stuart Strahl, president and CEO of the Chicago Zoological Society and director of the Brookfield Zoo says “the mission of Brookfield is to inspire conservation leadership by connecting people with wildlife and nature.” Not to be missed is the Australia House where visitors can experience the world of down under with wombats, emus, free-flying fruit bats, and of course kangaroos.
Disney's Animal Kingdom
Orlando, Fla.
With more than 1,700 animals spread across 500 acres of fertile landscape, Disney’s Animal Kingdom is the largest animal theme park in the world. Just don’t call it a zoo. Since its opening in 1998, the park has led the way in animal care, research, and education, focusing heavily on animal and environmental conservation. Highlights of the seven differently themed areas include a must-see safari through the “African Savannah,” the Expedition Everest rollercoaster—complete with a Yeti—for thrill seekers; the Tree of Life, a 14-story, 50-foot wide tree engraved with 325 animal forms where the theatrical adventure “It’s Tough to be a Bug!” is presented. Visitors can get close enough to pet some of the animals, and, if you’re lucky, get an autograph.
Denver Zoo
Denver
Starting out in 1896 with only one resident, a black bear named Billy Bryan, the Denver Zoo has since grown to 3,500 animals over 80 acres. As Colorado’s number one cultural attraction, a master plan was implemented in 1996 to continually modernize zoo habitats and visitor amenities; they hope to break ground on the Asian Tropics exhibit soon. The latest habitat to be renovated was Predator Ridge, built to resemble Kenya’s Samburu National Game Reserve and is home to two prides of lions, spotted hyenas, African wild dogs, and crowned cranes, among others. The zoo also cares for some unique animals including four extinct species and Mshindi, the world’s only rhinoceros that can paint with a brush.
Smithsonian National Zoological Park
Washington D.C.
Located in the nations’ capital and part of the largest museum and research complex in the world, it is only fitting that the National Zoo is among the best in the country. Nearly 400 species, many of them threatened or endangered, reside on the 163-acre park while others live at the Conservation and Research Center where endangered animals are bred and studied in conjunction with conservation efforts. Some of the zoo’s more famous occupants are three giant pandas and a recently added western lowland gorilla born in January. More than two million people visit the zoo each year, making it one of D.C.’s most popular destinations—the free admission doesn’t hurt.
In Pictures: More of America's Best Zoos
Friday, April 17, 2009
Baraboo News Republic story
Circus World repairs, prepares
By Brian D. Bridgeford / News Republic
With the beginning of the live performance season May 16, staff and contractors at Circus World Museum are busy repairing damage from last year's flooding while staff gets more than 50 wagons ready for Milwaukee's Great Circus Parade in July.
Museum Executive Director Steve Freese gathered Thursday morning with the executive committee of the Circus World Museum Foundation. It is the non-profit group that runs the museum on behalf of the Historical Society of Wisconsin. He reported on a variety of issues including fundraising efforts, ongoing restoration of circus wagons for the Milwaukee parade and repairs from heavy June flooding on the museum grounds.
Outside, workers from Blum Excavating of Baraboo used a backhoe and shovels to uncover a section of the foundation of the historic Ring Barn. When the area was the winter quarters of the Ringling Brothers Circus in the late 1800s and the early 1900s, the barn was where circus performers such as horse riders practiced their acts.
Freese said pressure from water that flooded the Ring Barn baandsement drained away damaged the foundation on both sides of the building. Officials of the Wisconsin Department of Administration estimate it will cost about $105,000 to repair, he told committee members.
As the Blum employees freed the foundation from the earth, sections could be seen where many of the foundation's large limestone blocks were missing. Ben Blum, son of company owner Dean Blum, said the foundation would be repaired using the same stones.
Freese said the courtyard between the Feld Exhibit Hall and the Ring Barn also suffered from being soaked and the soil beneath it is settling, causing the asphalt surface to become uneven and break up. Freese said he plans to have eight-foot-wide sidewalks constructed to connect the exhibit hall and Ring Barn. The rest of the courtyard will be left in grass, as it was when the Ringling Brothers used the site.
Flooding over much of the museum's main parking lot continues to cause settling, including the growth of sink holes "big enough to put a car in," Freese joked. "They're looking at whether they need to take the asphalt entirely off and re-do the (gravel) base, or if it only needs to be repaired in the spots that are causing the problem," he said. "We don't know that answer yet."
During the flooding, the Baraboo River reached high enough on its south bank to cover parts of two rare and historic circus railroad cars, the Ringling baggage horse car and an advertising rail car used by the Al G. Barnes & Sells Floto Combined Circus, he said. CWM plans to move them further up the bank so they can be displayed in a covered shed with open sides.
"The Al G. Barnes, it was up past the trucks, which is what they roll on, it was inside the car," Freese said. "(Water) was probably up six or seven feet on it."
They must also move two large electrical transformers on the museum grounds away from flood-prone areas, he said. Freese told the News Republic repairs might cost about $330,000 all in all. Some of that has already been paid by the museum's insurance provider and the Federal Emergency Management Agency officials are promising to spring for much of the other repairs, he said.
In addition to repairs, CWM is continuing the restoration of a house the Ringing Brothers used as an office and the Ringling train shed west of Broadway near Lynn Street. In the Deppe Wagon Restoration Pavilion, Rock Springs sign artist Joan Stevens was painting golden scroll work on the dark green side of the newly-reconstructed Ken Maynard Air Calliope, a type of musical circus wagon. In January, the same wagon had been stripped to bare wood and the CWM carpenter was working to replace parts destroyed by wood rot or old age. Stevens said she gets a sense of pride and peace using traditional hand techniques to decorate CWM's historic wagons.
"Now a days, a lot of stuff we do is just cut on the computer, it's canned," she said. "This is actually re-creating something that was originally created by hand. This is much more fulfilling," Stevens said.
CWM Wagon Superintendent Harold "Heavy" Burdick said work has been done on about three-quarters of the museum's wagons as parade day approaches, including repairs to 200 steel-rimmed wooden wagon wheels. "We'll have about 52 wagons in the parade," he said. "We'll have five wardrobe wagons for our costumes."
Freese expressed pride in the work museum employees and volunteers are doing as they prepare for the Great Circus Parade July 12. He said the colorful circus wagons will be ready for the parade and have been beautifully refurbished for future visitors to see. "Very nice, he said of the calliope. "They've done a fantastic job restoring that."
The schedule of the CWM 2009 performance season is available on the museum Web site. It lists a clown make up show, interactive children's circus, a tiger adventure, magic show and a classic American circus performance, along with other fun and the year-round museum exhibits.
"We'll have 11 live shows daily beginning May 16," Freese said.
Information about Circus World Museum, its hours of operation, performances and exhibits may be found online — www.circusworldmuseum.com; or by calling toll free — (866) 693-1500.
By Brian D. Bridgeford / News Republic
With the beginning of the live performance season May 16, staff and contractors at Circus World Museum are busy repairing damage from last year's flooding while staff gets more than 50 wagons ready for Milwaukee's Great Circus Parade in July.
Museum Executive Director Steve Freese gathered Thursday morning with the executive committee of the Circus World Museum Foundation. It is the non-profit group that runs the museum on behalf of the Historical Society of Wisconsin. He reported on a variety of issues including fundraising efforts, ongoing restoration of circus wagons for the Milwaukee parade and repairs from heavy June flooding on the museum grounds.
Outside, workers from Blum Excavating of Baraboo used a backhoe and shovels to uncover a section of the foundation of the historic Ring Barn. When the area was the winter quarters of the Ringling Brothers Circus in the late 1800s and the early 1900s, the barn was where circus performers such as horse riders practiced their acts.
Freese said pressure from water that flooded the Ring Barn baandsement drained away damaged the foundation on both sides of the building. Officials of the Wisconsin Department of Administration estimate it will cost about $105,000 to repair, he told committee members.
As the Blum employees freed the foundation from the earth, sections could be seen where many of the foundation's large limestone blocks were missing. Ben Blum, son of company owner Dean Blum, said the foundation would be repaired using the same stones.
Freese said the courtyard between the Feld Exhibit Hall and the Ring Barn also suffered from being soaked and the soil beneath it is settling, causing the asphalt surface to become uneven and break up. Freese said he plans to have eight-foot-wide sidewalks constructed to connect the exhibit hall and Ring Barn. The rest of the courtyard will be left in grass, as it was when the Ringling Brothers used the site.
Flooding over much of the museum's main parking lot continues to cause settling, including the growth of sink holes "big enough to put a car in," Freese joked. "They're looking at whether they need to take the asphalt entirely off and re-do the (gravel) base, or if it only needs to be repaired in the spots that are causing the problem," he said. "We don't know that answer yet."
During the flooding, the Baraboo River reached high enough on its south bank to cover parts of two rare and historic circus railroad cars, the Ringling baggage horse car and an advertising rail car used by the Al G. Barnes & Sells Floto Combined Circus, he said. CWM plans to move them further up the bank so they can be displayed in a covered shed with open sides.
"The Al G. Barnes, it was up past the trucks, which is what they roll on, it was inside the car," Freese said. "(Water) was probably up six or seven feet on it."
They must also move two large electrical transformers on the museum grounds away from flood-prone areas, he said. Freese told the News Republic repairs might cost about $330,000 all in all. Some of that has already been paid by the museum's insurance provider and the Federal Emergency Management Agency officials are promising to spring for much of the other repairs, he said.
In addition to repairs, CWM is continuing the restoration of a house the Ringing Brothers used as an office and the Ringling train shed west of Broadway near Lynn Street. In the Deppe Wagon Restoration Pavilion, Rock Springs sign artist Joan Stevens was painting golden scroll work on the dark green side of the newly-reconstructed Ken Maynard Air Calliope, a type of musical circus wagon. In January, the same wagon had been stripped to bare wood and the CWM carpenter was working to replace parts destroyed by wood rot or old age. Stevens said she gets a sense of pride and peace using traditional hand techniques to decorate CWM's historic wagons.
"Now a days, a lot of stuff we do is just cut on the computer, it's canned," she said. "This is actually re-creating something that was originally created by hand. This is much more fulfilling," Stevens said.
CWM Wagon Superintendent Harold "Heavy" Burdick said work has been done on about three-quarters of the museum's wagons as parade day approaches, including repairs to 200 steel-rimmed wooden wagon wheels. "We'll have about 52 wagons in the parade," he said. "We'll have five wardrobe wagons for our costumes."
Freese expressed pride in the work museum employees and volunteers are doing as they prepare for the Great Circus Parade July 12. He said the colorful circus wagons will be ready for the parade and have been beautifully refurbished for future visitors to see. "Very nice, he said of the calliope. "They've done a fantastic job restoring that."
The schedule of the CWM 2009 performance season is available on the museum Web site. It lists a clown make up show, interactive children's circus, a tiger adventure, magic show and a classic American circus performance, along with other fun and the year-round museum exhibits.
"We'll have 11 live shows daily beginning May 16," Freese said.
Information about Circus World Museum, its hours of operation, performances and exhibits may be found online — www.circusworldmuseum.com; or by calling toll free — (866) 693-1500.
Thursday, April 16, 2009
I recieved the Wisconson Histoical Society's newsletter today. Here is an excerpt from the newsletter.
The Great Circus Parade Returns to Milwaukee On July 12, 2009, an estimated one million people will fill the streets of downtown Milwaukee for the revival of The Great Circus Parade. Produced by Circus World, with support from the City of Milwaukee and Milwaukee County Parks Dept., the massive event recaptures the splendor of circus parades from the early 1900s. Established in 1963, this will be the parade's first Milwaukee appearance since 2003, the 30th circus parade staged in that city, the 40th circus parade staged by Circus World, and will be the crowning glory of Circus World's 50th anniversary celebration!
The work necessary to bring The Great Circus Parade to life began last summer. Harold Burdick, Circus World's Facilities and Wagons Superintendent, and his crew dug into a mountain of wagon restoration work. Getting the wagons parade worthy requires a more complete level of restoration than if they are 
to just sit on display. More than 180 circus wheels were taken to Iowa, where they were rebuilt and repaired by an Amish craftsman. The wheels were then repainted in bright circus style. Specific wagons required major restorations, including The All American Circus Cage, The Ringling Giraffe Wagon, The Pawnee Bill Bandwagon, the Cole Bros. Air Calliope, and The Ken Maynard Air Calliope. Master carver Homer Daehn is repairing the figural carvings on The Al G. Barnes Elephant Tableau.
to just sit on display. More than 180 circus wheels were taken to Iowa, where they were rebuilt and repaired by an Amish craftsman. The wheels were then repainted in bright circus style. Specific wagons required major restorations, including The All American Circus Cage, The Ringling Giraffe Wagon, The Pawnee Bill Bandwagon, the Cole Bros. Air Calliope, and The Ken Maynard Air Calliope. Master carver Homer Daehn is repairing the figural carvings on The Al G. Barnes Elephant Tableau. Magician, Tristan Christ, and singing ringmaster, Dave SaLoutos, have been coordinating the vast number of details crucial for a successful parade. They've organized the parade wardrobe, contacted horse teams, coordinated the clown recruitment process with The Clown Hall of Fame, secured marching bands, and contracted with 150 horseback riders.
Parade festivities will begin at Circus World with Wagon Roll-Out Days from Sunday, June 28, 2009, through Sunday, July 5. Museum visitors will have the chance to gaze upon the majestic beauty of the wagons on display throughout the grounds. The wagons then will travel by truck convoy to Milwaukee, carried by Deppe transport. Wilbur Deppe and his son Dave began moving wagons for Circus World in 1960, and today it is Dave and his son Tim that continue the tradition.
The Great Circus Parade showgrounds, located at Veterans Park on Milwaukee's lakefront, open at noon on Wednesday, July 8, and will operate from 9 am until 10 pm Thursday through Saturday. 
The showgrounds will feature daily circus performances, wagon displays, a petting zoo with exotic animals, a Ferris wheel, a carousel, and rides on elephants, camels, a pony wheel and a Percheron draft horse wheel. Antique fairground organs will provide the stirring sounds of a bygone era. The parade is one of the nation's largest, topped only by the Pasadena Rose Parade in attendance. We hope you can experience the thrill of the circus in Baraboo this summer and also in Milwaukee for The Great Circus Parade on July 12th at 1:30 pm.
The showgrounds will feature daily circus performances, wagon displays, a petting zoo with exotic animals, a Ferris wheel, a carousel, and rides on elephants, camels, a pony wheel and a Percheron draft horse wheel. Antique fairground organs will provide the stirring sounds of a bygone era. The parade is one of the nation's largest, topped only by the Pasadena Rose Parade in attendance. We hope you can experience the thrill of the circus in Baraboo this summer and also in Milwaukee for The Great Circus Parade on July 12th at 1:30 pm. Wednesday, April 15, 2009
John Robinson wreck - 1928
The John Robinson Circus under the American Circus Corporation ownership took a bad spill enroute to Bowling Green, Kentucky in 1928. Here are five photos from the Wm. Koford collection as distributed by Al Conover.
Monday, April 13, 2009
Walter L. Main Train Wreck - 1893
After the photos from David Orr were sent out last week of the Carson & Barnes elephants laying a wreath at the site, I found the following four pictures in my uncle's collection this past weekend. All of the them are photos of photos but show the terrific damage. I believe the story details five members of the show losing their life as well as many of the animals.Walter L. Main Train Wreck - 1893
This is a photo of a photo showing the horrific carnage of this train wrweck.
Walter L. Main Train Wreck - 1893
This is a photo of a photo so there is some lacking of quality. Still it shows great destruction.
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