Circus Parade Wagons
Circus World is a key partner in the parade, lending its unparalleled collection of historic wagons to the event. Two-thirds of the circus wagons known to exist are in the collection of Circus World Museum, preserved for future generations to see.
The museum is located at the site of the original Ringling Bros. Circus winter quarters in Baraboo, Wisconsin. Collections in the museum include unparalleled holdings holdings of circus and carnival artifacts, a world-class research library, and over 200 historic circus wagons.
550 Water St
Baraboo, WI 53913
608-356-8341
This tableau wagon, was built for the Al G. Barnes Circus which used it from 1921 through 1926. The elephant carvings were presented to Circus World in 1969, and placed on a new wagon body in 1987.
Photo courtesy of Bill Johnsen
Photo courtesy of Tom Williams
Photo courtesy of Bill Johnsen
Fairy tales are bigger and brighter with this gloriously gilded Barnum & Bailey Mother Goose Pony Float. Built in 1882 for the Barnum & London Shows, this float was one of seven depicting characters from such favorite children’s stories as Little Red Riding Hood and Mother Goose. Three of the seven floats exist today, all in the care of Circus World.
Photo courtesy of Bill Johnsen
Fairy tales are bigger and brighter with this gloriously gilded Barnum & Bailey Mother Goose Pony Float. Built in 1882 for the Barnum & London Shows, this float was one of seven depicting characters from such favorite children’s stories as Little Red Riding Hood and Mother Goose. Three of the seven floats exist today, all in the care of Circus World.
Photo courtesy of Bill Johnsen
Photo courtesy of Bill Johnsen
The Barnum & London Tableau Cage Wagon, from Circus World’s unparalleled circus wagon collection, toured with the Barnum & Bailey Circus through 1918 when the show combined with the Ringling Bros. Circus. The carved figures on each corner are bearded men, thus giving the wagon the nickname the “Whiskers Cage.”
Photo courtesy of Bill Johnsen
This magnificent wagon was built around 1915 to carry an air calliope for Fred Buchanan’s Yankee Robinson Circus. Found in shambles in 1950, the wagon was given to Circus World in 1965 and has been beautifully restored.
Photo courtesy of Tom Williams.
Photo courtesy of Bill Johnsen.
Photo courtesy of Circus World Museum
Photo courtesy of Bill Johnsen
Gordon Lillie, otherwise known as Pawnee Bill, ordered this huge and handsome bandwagon for his Wild West show in 1903 at a cost of $4,000. The wagon was built by the Sebastian Wagon Co. of New York with carvings by Samuel Robb. The two side panels show different scenes, each covered in solid gold leaf. The right side depicts “The Landing of Columbus in America,” taken from John Vanderlyn’s well-know painting. The left side depicts “Pocahontas Saving the Life of Captain John Smith.” The wagon paraded with an 18-piece band on top, pulled by ten horses in brass-trimmed harnesses.
The Mighty Haag Circus purchased the wagon, using it from 1909 to 1914. Ernest Haag stored the wagon until 1925, then sold it to the Miller Bros. 101 Ranch Wild West. It continued to parade as a bandwagon until 1931. The Bill Hames family purchased the wagon for their carnival, then donated it to Circus World Museum in 1962. The wagon has been restored to its appearance on the Miller Bros. show.
This elaborate 10,820 lb wagon was reconstructed to its original appearance in 1991. The “United States” Tableau typically carries riders clothed in patriotic wardrobe or interpretive military uniforms.
Photo courtesy of Mike Heath
The Ringling Bros. Circus acquired a specially designed wagon for its 1893 touring season to house a giraffe named Mamie. Some years ago, Circus World re-created the Ringling Bros. Giraffe Wagon from an 1894 photograph. Here it features a Massai giraffe from the Timbavati Wildlife Park in Wisconsin Dells.
Photo courtesy of Bill Johnsen
Photo courtesy of Bill Johnsen
Photo courtesy of Circus World Museum
Photo courtesy of Bill Johnsen