Siebrand Bros Circus & Carnival
Posted By thecircusblog on April 16, 2009
Hike, Pete and Sam Siebrand owned one of the largest combined circus and carnivals in the north and southwest. Some of the following photos date back to the late 1800’s and into the 1960’s. In the beginning the Siebrands were farmers and never dreamed that they soon would be in show business. If it wasn’t for a small carnival that set up on some of their land to play the near by town, Siebrand history would have never been made. The carnival had a bad season that year and their bad luck continued in Northwood, North Dakota where the Siebrands lived. The carnival played a blank and could not pay for the spot. The carnival owner told the Siebrand family that he would leave a ride in good faith and would return and pay them what he owed. He never returned and the Siebrands now owned a Flying Jennie, a type of Merry Go Round that has no platform that you walk on. The horses hang from poles that fly out when the ride turns. And that is how the Siebrand Circus and Carnival started. The story continues in the following posts. Photos supplied by Tammy Ree, great granddaughter of the Siebrand family…….SEE Approved Comment.
Thank you Diana Siebrand for your comment.
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thecircusblog
My name is Ivan M. Henry and I am the 4th generation of a circus/show business dynasty. I hope you enjoy the blog.Comments
21 Responses to “Siebrand Bros Circus & Carnival”
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Thank you for this site. My name is Kira Welch. My father is Peter Siebrand the third. You can tell by my big ears. I just happened to come across this site while explaining to my boyfriend, my family history. happy to find something on the internet about our family, Thank you for all the time and attention you have put into this. Love, Kira
My grandmother, Minnie Schol, was the older sister of Hiko, Pete and Sam Siebrand. I’m fascinated by the story of their carnival. It says above that their story will be continued “the following posts.” But I couldn’t find any more posts. How can I get the rest of the story?
~John Prestbo
Hello my name is Desarae Sisk, marlene’s grandaughter and margrets great grandaughter. i was wondering if anyone in our family could get ahold of me please. i have some questions and i know you guys can help. thank you and have a great day
I just stumbled upon your site in researching Seibrand Brothers. I traveled with them in the early 60’s as a ride operator and was curious if any of the old carnival/circus outfits were still in business.
I am sorry that the Siebrand show is all out and over with. All that remains are memories.
I am the daughter of Buck and Arlene Siebrand and granddaughter of Sam Siebrand.I was born on the Show in 1948 in Tucson Az
My cousins are Lola and Millard Freeman. Peanuts and Ruby, Many fond memories!!! Della and Okie, Dolores and George Redwood, Jack Gordon and Kayleta, You and your dogs, Clarks, Ritters, Pancho and denita—so many. Thanks for the memories. Do you know where Pam, Joanne, or any of them have gone? Take care and God bless
I use to work for this company back in the 70’s. While roaming the country, i ran across them in Lordsburg New Mexico. We played a few days their and the next stop was Tucson, Arizona where we played several days if i remember correctly and then on to Phoenix, Ariz, where we ended up at the winters quarters on East Van Buren. The guys called me Hippie Jim, and the manager of the show at that time was Jimmie Castle. I was a ride jockey and i ran the Tlit-A-Whirl .
My husband, myself, and my two children, B.J. & Eli spent time on with Seibrands in the early 80’s. We were working for Pam Horseman. It was a historical show to work on! I (Shannon) worked with some of the best show people, Billy Castle, Art Frazier (Gondo), and a lot of people from West Coast shows. Nice to see memories
Does anyone remember Jack Haamon from the very early 60’s
I am a great niece of the Siebrand Brothers. My great grandmother on my grandfather’s side of the family was their sister. They lived in Northwood, ND where the circus started. I grew up in just 30 miles from Northwood. I have always known about the circus that my great uncles had — my mom always would talk about the traveling circus the Uncles had.
I am so grateful to have found information of the circus. My great aunt, Eleanor, is also related to the Siebrands. She is my grandfather’s sister, so I am getting her this information since she does not have any pictures of the circus — she has great memories of going to the circus every time it came to town!!
Thanks for the memories!!!
Pamela Horstman, mother a Siebrand is one of my best friends, we even to girls school together, she was the last one to have the show, kept it going for as long as she could, when her uncle Bill Siebrand died, then her mom, she retired, has lots of good memories.
Hi, I am the granddaughter of Pete and Louise Siebrand. My mother was Margret,sister Marlene.We were both born on the show.What a great way to grow up.
I befriended Carolyn Siebrand while living in Arizona in the 1990’s. She gave me a Siebrand Bros. circus poster that I still have. If a family member is interested in it, I am more than willing to mail it to you. Contact me at histree60@hotmail.com.
My father, Oliver Sloan, worked for the Siebrand Bros back in the early ’40s. I am not sure or the actual date. Do any employment records or such still exist?
My parents were a part of the Circus for three years. There was no Top, so my Dad set-up the Riggins for my act: Mr. Ren Clark, was the Equestrian Rider and his wife had a Live-Pony Ride section. – I did a cloud-swing and trapeze act. My Dad, (Trumpet) & Mom, (Drums) were part of the circus band. Don Rey, (Organist) was the Orchestra. It was the biggest attraction to travel the Southwest that Winter-quarted in Tucson, Arizona on Van Buren…. i have great memories of my early years traveling with Pete & brothers Sam, though I do not remember Hike. My family was very close to Pete…. I am so happy to have found this information. Great Memories from 10 to 13 years of age. jsilverbird@gmail.com
My parents were a part of the Circus for three years. There was no Top, so my Dad set-up the Riggins for my act: Mr. Ren Clark, was the Equestrian Rider and his wife had a Live-Pony Ride section. – I did a cloud-swing and trapeze act. My Dad, (Trumpet) & Mom, (Drums) were part of the circus band. Don Rey, (Organist) was the Orchestra. It was the biggest attraction to travel the Southwest that Winter-quarted in Tucson, Arizona on Van Buren…. i have great memories of my early years traveling with Pete & brothers Sam, though I do not remember Hike. My family was very close to Pete…. I am so happy to have found this information. Great Memories from 10 to 13 years of age. jsilverbird@gmail.com
P.S. From 1925 to 1935 My Father was the owner of “International Show” That traveled the Trip-State are of New Mexico, Arizona & Colorado. In the late 30’s he & Mom owned the Ortiz Brothers Circus & Vaudeville Combined Show. (With a Circus Tent). I should also mention: My Father’s Aunt and Uncle Toured with Ringling, Brother & Barnum and Bailey Circus. My great aunt Ramona was a Center-Ring Wire-Walker attraction and my great Uncle Reuben & Partner, did a High-Perch Act….. They are in the Sarasota, Fla. Circus Museum…. Makes me the 4th generation in this crazy, but beautiful world of Show-Business….
My grandfather was in the carnival and he collects coins. I came across coins in rolled up paper. It was an invoice from 7-26-1963 from Gellman Brothers for a shipment of 1 dozen Chicken Fryers and 1 dozen Percolators. It was addressed “Jones Amusement Corp, Ken Brust % Siebrand Bros Show, Helena, Montana. My grandfather is Ken Brust. He was in charge of the bingo. If the admin wants to contact me I’d be happy to supply a copy.
Hi Kira Welch. I was a childhood friend of your dad. We spent many weekends at the carnival riding rides and in your grandmother’s trailer selling candy apples and cotton candy in the 1960’s. Fun times. I do remember your dad’s ears. Lol. Please say hi to him for me.
Hap
i worked for a show by same name ran by pamala hortsworth and managed by donnie love former owner of love amusments that traveled new mexico az and colorado is this the same show if so great people always treated me like family i had some great times working for them and even in the few rowdy spots we had they always knew they could count on me to watch over crew and midway
My dad used to work for this circus back in the 50s. His name was Paul Lane. High wire ant tramp. Anybody have more information on this circus?