I had a long time real circus fan friend, Mike And Silvus Piccolo that were there on that day they closed in Pittsburg as they both live there. They were in the cookhouse visiting with Staley when the press came in and told them this was the last day under canvas. Staley had to run find a phone and cancel the meat order in Chicago. Mike said it was a sad day for all.
JRN's announcement led the public to conclude the tented circus had ended. Other shows were outraged that Johnny came across as speaking for circus as a whole. As many recall, D.R. Miller continued with "See it Now, Or Miss it Forever", and turned them away. Clyde Beatty declared voluntary bankruptcy on May 18, in Merced, California, but Judge E.P. Johnston, in a Burbank court, allowed Beatty to roll the show into Deming, New Mexico, winterquarters. Jerry Collins, Randolph Calhoun, Frank McClosky, and Walter Kiernan were successful bidders at the Sheriff's auction, in Macon, Georgia, where Beatty had incorporated, and walked off with the thing for $80,000. They re-opened in Las Cruces on August 30, and continued the season as the last canvas circus on rails. Sadly enough, the new team converted to trucks for '57, but Big Top shows continued, almost as if in spite of John North.
6 comments:
Buckles, THANKS for Sharing this GREAT set of photos.
Last stop for this big top
Racetrack near Pittsburg
SIC TRANSIT GLORIA CIRCUS .
You're on a great roll Buckles, don't stop now, and great thanks.
Heidelberg Raceway,about 7 miles SW of Pittsburgh.
I had a long time real circus fan friend, Mike And Silvus Piccolo that were there on that day they closed in Pittsburg as they both live there.
They were in the cookhouse visiting with Staley when the press came in and told them this was the last day under canvas.
Staley had to run find a phone and cancel the meat order in Chicago.
Mike said it was a sad day for all.
JRN's announcement led the public to conclude the tented circus had ended. Other shows were outraged that Johnny came across as speaking for circus as a whole. As many recall, D.R. Miller continued with "See it Now, Or Miss it Forever", and turned them away. Clyde Beatty declared voluntary bankruptcy on May 18, in Merced, California, but Judge E.P. Johnston, in a Burbank court, allowed Beatty to roll the show into Deming, New Mexico, winterquarters. Jerry Collins, Randolph Calhoun, Frank McClosky, and Walter Kiernan were successful bidders at the Sheriff's auction, in Macon, Georgia, where Beatty had incorporated, and walked off with the thing for $80,000. They re-opened in Las Cruces on August 30, and continued the season as the last canvas circus on rails. Sadly enough, the new team converted to trucks for '57, but Big Top shows continued, almost as if in spite of John North.
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