Friday, December 15, 2006

Our vacation stop at Bariboo, Wisconsin and the origins of the Ringling Bros Circus continues. Probably the most striking thing about the stop was being able to see their collection of great, old, circus wagons. The collection isn't entirely of the Ringling line but of many different circus companies. It filled a huge building. The collection was growing even while we toured, they were bringing in more old wagons for restorations. The parade from the railroad to where the circus was to pitch their 100 plus tents, must have been something. Over a thousand people, and over 2500 animals, were in the entourage. They carried along all of the amenities of a small town. Grocery and clothing stores, a bank, a barber, a doctor, and on and on. I read a list of the rules and terms of employment and they ran a very tight ship.
I think you'll find the bottom picture of particular interest and worthy of 'clicking on' to enlarge. It is a close-up of one of the wagons and it shows the exacting craftmanship and, well, 'the beauty' of their work.











15 comments:

Paul Nichols said...

That last picture is a winner, f'sure. It should be in the Smithsonian, don't you think?

Rachel said...

Wow! Very impressive Cliff!! Did you ever think of running away with the circus?

Anonymous said...

Wonderful pictures! Brings back memories of my childhood. We never missed going to the circuses when they came to town. We would always go and watch them set up the 'big-top'. One time an elephant broke loose from the parade through town and strolled half-way down our street! We thought this was great!

Anonymous said...

Those pictures are great Cliff, it's a pity there seems to be a blemish on the last one, about the right centre area, other side looks fine.

eyes_only4him said...

haha, Peter, your funny.

Great pics cliff..

Miki said...

Wonderful decorations on that last circus wagon! Great pictures, if I am ever in Wisconsin, I will be sure to stop at the museum, it looks like a great place to take the kids, old and young alike!

Anonymous said...

ROFL - I see by the pose you're dashing off to another one of those "romantic showers". Of course, you were in Bare-a-boo .... did I miss spell that? Is it Bare-a-boob??? :)

Anonymous said...

Awwwww...I think that last picture is nice.

Anonymous said...

For me switching to beta did not take very long and once I hit the "Switch" it just took care of itself. I thought I already had a Google account (I didn't) and that was set up as I went along. It was not painful at all, and I am computer illiterate, but it really was very simple.

Jim said...

Those are ALL nice pictures. My kiddie filter wouldn't let me enlarge that last one!
..

Dan said...

Now that's just silly. I always knew you were running a three ring circus, I just didn't know you stared in it!

Ralph said...

well, it's true - Marilyn does help inprove the picture.
Ralph

LZ Blogger said...

Cliff ~ There was a time when the came to my little hometown when I was a kid, but I never knew a lot of the stuff you have here! I really just wanted to come by and wish you and your family a VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS! ~ jb///

JUST A MOM said...

WOW I HAVE BEEN TALKING TO A FAMOUS PERSON ALL THIS TIME??? MAN I didn't know you were the star in the show,,, is that the dung wagon? sorry had to. Have a great holiday.

Unknown said...

Way cool, Cliffy. Too bad Marilyn is so far away, as we'll soon need her services. Yes I have "sucker" stamped on my forehead.