Saturday, July 16, 2011

The last day!

I was just reminded that the Ringling Show folded under canvas 55 years ago today!
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8 comments:

Harry Kingston said...

A real great fan friend of mine, Mike Piccolo and his brother Silvus were on the lot that day when they closed.
Mike said they were in visitng with Staley in the cookhouse when the press came in and said they were closing and Staley had to run to the phone to cancel the meat order from chicago.
A very sad day for many circus folks and fans.
Harry in Texas

Harry Kingston said...

I had forgotten the date and glad to see it on your blog and I called Mike to tell him this was the day and he said it was hard to believe it had been 55 yeaqrs ago.
Mike said many were in tears about the closing and it was a sad day on the show.
Harry in Texas

Roger Smith said...

When JRN made that announcement, the night show was jammed. I don't recall who it was, but one staffer said with business like that, they could have expected turnaway crowds indefinitely if they'd promoted a "Farewell Tour".

Jim Royal said...

Kelly Miller owner John Ringling North II was on the lot that day, and rode a horse leading in that last spec under canvas

FRANK CURRY said...

TO JIM ROYAL!

GREAT HISTORY!!
That is like romantic poetry!!

In a different century,JRN II is back as the owner of his own "CIRCUS under the BIG TOP" !!!!

I had forgotten that he had participated on that DARK day in 1956.

Rick said...

I often pass this location on my way south. It's on Interstate 79 in Heidelberg, PA. I believe the site is now Raceway Plaza, a shopping mall.

Buckles said...

We showed that Raceway in 1970 with James Bros.

Jim Royal said...

Frank,

John never liked the show being in buildings, he said "it was like working at Krogers"