Title: Lost circuses of Ohio /
Authors: Hinds, Conrade C., 1953-
Year: 2019
Subjects: Circus Ohio History.; Circus owners Ohio History.; Circus performers Ohio History.; Circus; Circus owners; Circus performers; Ohio
Abstract: "The nineteenth century was the golden age of the circus in Ohio. Before the Ringling brothers became synonymous with the American circus, Cincinnati's John Robinson and the Sells brothers of Columbus wowed audiences with stunning equestrian feats and aerial exploits. For good measure, the Sells brothers threw in a sharpshooting show with a young Ohio woman by the name of Annie Oakley. The Walter L. Main Circus of Geneva and a number of smaller shows presented their own unique spectacles with exotic animals and daring acrobats. But for all the fun and games, Ohio's circus industry was serious business. As competition intensified, advertising wars erupted and acquisitions began. Eventually, Ringing Brothers swallowed many of these circuses one by one, and they dropped out of memory. Author Conrade C. Hinds brings this fascinating piece of Ohio show business back into the spotlight"--Back cover.
Contents: Development of the American circus -- The John Robinson Circus -- The Sells Brothers Circus of central Ohio -- The Walter L. Main Hometown Circus -- The performers, acts and circus suppliers -- Circus winter headquarters and occupational hazards -- Traveling hazards and train wrecks -- The competitive prodigal nephew Willie Sells -- The twentieth-century show mergers and other circuses -- Appendix : typical circus season route schedules and circuses that wintered in Ohio.