The Ringling brothers were of German and French descent, the children of harness maker Heinrich Friedrich August Ringling (1826-1898) and Marie Salome Juliar (1833-1907). In 1919, five Ringling brothers merged their Ringling Bros. Circus with America's other leading circus troupe, Barnum & Bailey.
Albert Carl "Al" Ringling (1852-1916) was married to Eliza "Lou" Morris in 1883. In the early years of the circus, Lou managed and made wardrobe. Al passed of Bright's disease at the age of 63 in Wisconsin.
Augustus "Gus" Ringling (1854-1907) was largely self educated. He passed at age 53 from complications of various diseases at a sanatorium in New Oleans where he had arrived two weeks earlier hoping the warmer cimate would help his condition.
Otto Ringling (1858-1911) passed at the home of his younger brother, John who lived on Fifth Avenue in Manhattan. He was in NewYork at the time to see a show at Madison Square Garden.
Alfred Theodore "Alf" Ringling (1861-1919) was a juggler. He had a son, Richard T. Ringling and a daughter, Marjorie Joan Ringling who was married to future United States Senator Jacob K. Javits from 1933 to 1936. His granddaughter, Mabel Ringling married Richard Durant, an elephant trainer. In 1916, Alfred took up residence in Petersburg, New Jersey, now known as Oak Ridge, where he was responsible for the creation of Lake Swannanoa lake community. The property was also used as the winter quarters for his son Richard's circus, the R. T. Richards Circus. R. T. Richards Supreme Show of the World was a short-lived early 20th century American circus that toured during the 1917 and 1918 seasons. Alfred passed in his 28 room New Jersey manor, three years after its completion on October 21, 1919.
Charles Edward Ringling (1863-1926)
John Nicholas Ringling (1866-1936) was a singer and a professional clown. John and Charles were among the business brains of the operation and it was their decision to move the circus to Sarasota, Florida.
Henry William George Ringling (1869-1918) was the youngest of the brothers.
Ida Loraina Wilhelmina Ringling (1874-1950) was the only girl and the youngest sibling. Ida married Harry Whitestone North (1858-1921) in 1902. Their sons were John Ringling North and Henry Ringling North.
Baraboo, Wisconsin is the home to the Circus World Museum located at 550 Water Street. It opened in 1884 and was added to the National Register of Historic Places on August 4, 1969.
Circus World Museum is the ultimate destination for anyone who's been captivated by the magic of the circus. With more than 260 historic wagons housed at this unparalleled site, these rare pieces of circus history have been meticulously restored to their original glory and are waiting to transport you into the heart of a bygone era.
The Circus World Museum was added to the National Register of Historic Places on August 4, 1969
The One and Only Ringling Bros. Bell Wagon
Believed to be the only remaining circus bell wagon in existence, this storied wagon was commissioned by the Ringling Bros. for the 1892 circus season. With an operator seated at the back, melodies like "My Old Kentucky Home" and "Rock of Ages" rang out across parade routes for decades delighting young and old, alike. This stunning bell wagon serves as an incrediable soundtrack to the legacy of the American circus.
The Hagenbeck-Wallace Lion's Bride Tableau Wagon
Built by the renowned Bode Wagon Co. of Cincinnati in 1905, this wagon was a showstopper in the Hagenbeck-Wallace Circus and served as a lead bandwagon for over 20 years. Later acquired by John Ringling in 1929, it took center stage in the 1945 War Bond Parade in New York City. Its intricate design and history make it an absolute must-see!
The John Robinson Bandwagon No. 1
Lion and Gladiator Wagon
A true piece of history, this wagon was built by Sullivan and Eagle Wagon Co. for the legendary Howe's Great London Circus in 1911. It served on the road for 14 years, then became part of the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey collection after John Ringling's acquisition of the American Circus Corporation. This majestic wagon was featured in both the 1945 War Bond Parade and the epic Alice in Circus Wonderland performance.
The Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Hippo Cage Wagon No. 73
Originally used to house black-tailed deer, this 1903 wagon was later retrofitted for lions and even a pygmy hippo in 1943. The cage wagon is a true testament to the evolving artistry of circus wagons.
Witness the grandeur of wagons used by ringmasters and performers to bring the artform and culture of the circus to American audiences from coast to coast.
Tours are offered daily during the summer performance season and begin outside the Deppe Wagon Pavilion and the C. P. Fox Wagon Restoration Center.
So many circus wagons
.. each with their own tale to tell ..
Wonderous wagons await at the world's largest collection of more than 250 beautifully restored historic circus wagons each with a wheel-y wonderful story to tell!
Clown Car Garage
Clowns were a big part of the circus and there was always the cute little clown car!
Clowns were a big part of any circus and there was always a cute little clown car
..full of clowns..
The first performance of this routine was with the Cole Bros. Circus during the 1950s. The effect was usually produced by removing all of a cars' internal components like door panels, headliners, engines, seats and any interior barrier to the trunk and the filling the enlarged space with as many clowns as possible. Greg DeSanto of the International Clown Hall of Fame estimates somewhere between 14 and 21 clowns and their props could fit into a car prepared in this manner!
Lou Jacobs miniature clown car with gas pump.
Circa 1951-1952
Throughout the 1800s and early 1900s, the Ringling Bros. World's Greatest Show would return to their Baraboo winter quarters following their season on the road. The function of the winter quarters was to repair and repaint equipment, create themes and features for the new show, design and fabriciate props and 2,000 costumes, contract performers, plan the route, contract with railroads to move the show train, design and fabricate poster art for advertising. They also rested, rehearsed and cared for the animals which in 1916 consisted of five hundred horses and ponies, 29 elephants 15 camels and about 20 other hay eating animals plus tigers, lions, monkeys and birds.
Of the 25 Ringling structures that once existed in Baraboo, Wisconsin 10 winter quarter buildings remain. They are all National Historic Landmark structures. As they should be.
Thank you, Ringling Brothers
.. for the joy you gave to so many ..
RIP
.jpg)
