Posted By thecircusblog on September 14, 2012
I posted this photo before but this time it is a close up. In the other photo you could see much more of the Cole Bros train. There was also an elephant grazing in an open area. This area is the back yard of the Cole winter quarters. On the back door of the wagon is painted “The Wonder Show”.
Posted By thecircusblog on September 14, 2012
Cole Bros baggage wagon. This photo was shot at their winter quarters 1938.
Posted By thecircusblog on September 14, 2012
These wagons are waiting to be unloaded. On the outside of the wagons plainly seen are tent side poles and short center poles. These wagons most likely were loaded with the canvas for the cook house, dressing room tents etc. The smaller tent canvas was rolled and the side walls folded. Four to six men could easily set these tents up. The main big top took far more men to erect. Wagon 109 in the center is loaded with seat blanks and props. It has a semi look, it’s much longer and has a wooden bulkhead in front. In the rear of the wagon is a tail gate.
I believe this photo was taken in the early 1920’s
Posted By thecircusblog on September 14, 2012
Cole Bros winter quarters. Photo taken in 1937. I notice on the far right is a coach car. Cole Bros must have had a rail siding close to their building. This rail siding sure would have made it easy to load up the show.
Posted By thecircusblog on September 14, 2012
The head bull man was Alonzo Devers. There was a few more names on the negative folder. Charlie Oride. Louis, Joe and Jean. Also written 101 Ranch herd and nothing more. These elephants could have been sold to Cole Bros the dates are about right, late 1939.
Posted By thecircusblog on September 14, 2012
This photo was taken at the back lot of the Cole Bros winter quarters in 1937. All empty and ready for winter.
Posted By thecircusblog on September 14, 2012
Tiger cage wagon moving into line up for show parade 1938. I am quite pleased when there are memos that the photographer wrote on the front of the negative folders. Often he went into great detail which I convey to you. However if it wasn’t for numerous circus fans and others who watch over the circus blog, there would be less circus historical information. The comments are greatly appreciated.
Posted By thecircusblog on September 14, 2012
Cole Bros monkey cage wagon 1942. I am noticing that most of the wagons were converted over to steel hard rubber wheels. It is evident in the photos that the date is in the early 1940’s. Bob Cline made mention of this. Here is my question…. Were the wheels a special make or were they removed from wrecked trucks such as a Mack? There has been many different types of conversion on circus equipment in the past and even in the present.
