thecircusblog | August 28, 2008
The house trailer, also known as a caravan, was built by JE Henry and his sons. It is believed to be the first house trailer ever built. This is where my grandparents lived while they were on the road. It had all the facilities for sleeping, cooking, closets & a safe. The only thing it […]
thecircusblog | August 28, 2008
There were many different trucks on the show…it depended upon the load. He used Model T’s & Macks and converted old Cadillacs into tractors to pull semi-loads. The truck in the picture was converted into a bob tail and pulled a trailer. The two men are Arthur Henry and Max Craig. Max was raised as […]
thecircusblog | August 28, 2008
The Rolling Globe is a family tradition started by Edmund Henry, my great grandfather. Everyone had to learn perform on it, including myself. This picture shows my father and two uncles. From left to right: Glenn, Cliff and Todd behind Cliff. I have in possession the original rolling globe that my father and Todd are […]
thecircusblog | August 28, 2008
“Doubling in Brass”This is the only picture I have of my father and uncles together. From left to right: Cliff, Glenn, Robert, Todd and Arthur Henry. There is a sibling missing…her name was Bertha. As time went on the boys learned how to play as instruments as well as performing in the show. Photo taken in […]
thecircusblog | August 28, 2008
Animal Menagerie played two parts. Before the show people would walk the midway to eat, see the side shows and the animals. These were paid attractions. After the show, the menageire was the animal’s portable home in which they were bedded down for the night. The men who took care of the animals slept in the menagerie as well.
thecircusblog | August 27, 2008
A Camel with one hump is called a dromedary, a two humped camel is called a Bactrian. The Bactrians come from the Gobi Desert. The dromedaries come from the Middle East.
thecircusblog | August 27, 2008
This is the Big Top Wagon early 1900’s. Notice it was from a mack truck frame.
thecircusblog | August 27, 2008
This photo was taken 1893 or 1895, I believe the town to be Lordsburg, New Mexico. At this time Grandfather Henry was a total wagon show, No trucks used to go from town to town.
thecircusblog | August 26, 2008
This man was JE’s right hand man for many years. He was in charge of putting up and taking down the Big Top, herding the animals over the road and protecting them from any danger. You could call him an “outrider” as well as a “trail boss.” He was not to be trifled with as […]
thecircusblog | August 26, 2008
The show moved over trails and rutted roads from town to town. Wagons went first in the caravan followed by the horses, camels, llamas, elephants, zebras, mules etc. All of the wild animals traveled in wagon cages. It usually took between two to three days to travel from town to town. This picture shows a mid-day […]
