Posted By thecircusblog on January 15, 2013
Posted By thecircusblog on January 15, 2013
From out of 16 pages of my grandfather’s circus routes that John Polacsek sent me I only posted 4. I have to admit that I am surprised in the amount of states and towns that grandfather played. I wish I could find J.E’s show route that he played in the late 1800’s.
Posted By thecircusblog on January 15, 2013
As the years pasted J.E. moved west to California from what I remember of what my father told me. In the 1930’s grandfather showed California and some of southern Oregon and Arizona. He finally bought property in El Monte, Calif where he wintered his show believe in 1938 or 1939? The Henry family became a little more diversified. My uncles were performing on other shows with their acts. Now they were all married and found themselves not living too close to the winter quarters. They made their own way and would only come together if there was a tour. As time went on in the early 1940’s the circus kind of faded away. World War II broke out and the Henry boys were now doing U.S.O. shows and mainly working with other circuses. After over a half of century or more, the Henry Bros Circus came to it’s end. J.E. Henry passed away in 1945.
Posted By thecircusblog on January 15, 2013
Posted By thecircusblog on January 12, 2013
Photo taken when Ruth Strong was 93 years old with her son John Strong III.
Posted By thecircusblog on January 12, 2013
Little John Strong around 2 years old? Photo taken at their winter quarters Thousand Oaks, Calif.1959.
Posted By thecircusblog on January 12, 2013
Ruth and John Strong proudly showing off their new circus poster.
Posted By thecircusblog on January 12, 2013
The Strong family started their children in show business very young. Here is little John braking his first lion.
