Ancient Hixtory

Ronald Wencer

Category: Ancient Hixtory

I think that by now, we have a good idea of what old-time circuses were like (that is, they were not much different from later circuses).We also have some idea of how people in a rural town - which is what Hicksville more or less was until the 1920s, even if New York City was not far away - felt in those years when a big circus came to their hometown for a rare visit.

Things would change in the 1930s, for several reasons.One was the Great Depression.Another was the building of paved roads in rural areas, a phenomenon prompted by another new reality: the widespread availability of reliable automobiles and trucks.It would still be a long time before big circuses considered forsaking their trains, but Long Islanders began to see small circuses or carnivals drive into nearby towns almost every summer.A lion, or maybe a leopard (not a performing animal, but only a poor beast, always caged for exhibiting), would arrive in town on the back of a truck, along with other trucks that carried kiddy rides, some midway games, and a trained horse act or acrobats.

It was difficult for circuses to tour during the Depression, but some tried.Especially in smaller towns, they might arrive and discover that a carnival had just spent a couple of days there, leaving behind almost no one with enough money to spend on circus tickets and souvenirs.

During World War II, strict rationing of fuel and tires, and government control of manufacturing and rail transportation, brought new challenges.Surprisingly, because many prominent and influential people were circus fans, Ringling Brothers and Barnum & Bailey was granted exemptions, supposedly issued by the President's (i.e., FDR's) office.The reason for the exemptions was that continuing the circus was expected to help sustain public morale.And so, the big circus kept touring.

Ironically, although encouraged to tour by one branch of the government, another branch reportedly denied RBB&B access to the fire-proofing chemicals that it normally applied to its 9,000 seat Big Top.In 1944, when the un-fireproofed tent ignited during a performance in Hartford , fire spread quickly.About 700 people were injured, and more than 160 people died.

 

Hartford Courant photo
https://www.courant.com/opinion/

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