page 3 of 4

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Between 1884 and 1926 Ringling Bros. Circus wintered in Baraboo, Wisconsin. Those former winterquarters are now the home of Circus World Museum.
September 1, 2011
page 1 of 2

The only surviving wagon from first season in 1884. It went in advance of the others and was left on the road to mark the route to the next town. Roads were neither plentiful or well-marked in the 1880's and horses pulling wagons moved the entire show.
[Side view of an all-wood buckboard wagon with a white canvas top with the words,

When Ringling papered the town, they really papered the town! (They were attempting to bury the Buffalo Bill's Wild West show posters in Manchester, New Hampshire in 1911.)
[One side of a four story building is completely covered with Ringling posters except for the windows and the two Buffalo Bill posters.]

1908 poster featuring the Sisters La Rague
[Barnum & Bailey poster showing cars going down a ramp with one flipping in mid-air over the other.]

1931 poster featured the Wallendas, an act which still performs today.
[Ringling Bros and Barnum & Bailey poster showing performers stacked several high crossing on a high-wire.]

Restored Ringling wagon #89 front side
[Red and orange wagon with black bars on front and silver wooden figures at each corner. Wooden wheels are red, yellow, and white.]

Restored Ringling wagon #89 back side
[89 painted in gold on back and ornate silver colored wood pieces attached to back side.]

Restored Buffalo Bill's Wild West show wagon
[White wagon (including wheels) with name of show painted in large gold letters on the side.]

The Royal American Shows' Gavioli Band Organ made in 1905. This can produce the sound of an 80-piece band.
[Colorful figures in front of a long row of gold pipes (pipe organ is part of this). Lower portion are colorful ornate scenes.]

Continue to more Circus World Museum images. (page 4 of 4)

Return to top of page.

All photos © S. M. Garver