Andrew Downie Railroad Circuses #1

Having come from a Rep Show background, Andrew (McPhee) Downie's first circus was formed by a partnership with veteran showman Al F. Wheeler (Downie & Wheeler Circus 1911-13). After this partnership was dissolved, Downie framed his own show named after his wife (LaTena Circus 1914-17.) Starting in 1918 he leased the name Walte L. Main from that well know retired circus owner (Walter L. Main Circus 1918-24.) After a brief retirement, Mr. Downie became one of the first owners of a successful motorized circus (Downie Bros. Circus 1926-30) which he sold to Charles Sparks in 1931 and who continued on with it thru 1938.