Say Hello to a lil' history..
credit to original photographer.
Figured I should prove these 'winterquarter' thingys really existed.
While some shows in the spirit of never ending publicity opted
to say it, others blended into the landscape, to avoid the curious.
Here is the Barnum and Bailey (pre-Ringling) quarters in
Connecticut. After they combined the Ringlings moved to this
location from Baraboo, WI..
credit to original photographer.
Another view.
credit to original photographer.
The Ringlings were publicity Geniuses, using every opportunity
to promote what they had and line their pockets quite well at
the same time. That just didn't sound right so, on a side note,
I must say that the Ringling show was referred to by others
as the 'Sunday School' show. This was due to the fact that if
the show caught employees cheating the public in any way
they would be run off the property and lose their jobs.
The Ringling compound in Florida had an extensive rail shop
and yard. Not to forget, this property was the home to a
train that traveled on one hundred railroad cars, in four sections.
credit to original photographer.
credit to original photographer.
Here is a diagram of the rail yard during the glory years.
credit to original photographer.
And here is a picture of the Hagenbeck Wallace quarters
in Peru, Indiana. Of note; this became the home of the
American Circus Corporation under the control of one of
those Ringling boys, John. Also, this where the world
famous clown Emmit Kelly and Emmit Kelly Jr. hailed from.
Prior to circus stardom, they had both worked for the
Chesapeake and Ohio railroad. This is now on the National
Historic Places register. A museum and shows are now
operating on the property. Only a couple of original
buildings survive.
credit to original photographer.
credit to original photographer.
credit to original photographer.