Ringling Brothers & Barnum & Bailey Circus
The Ringling Brothers & Barnum & Bailey Circus, an iconic spectacle that once captivated audiences across the nation, holds a significant place in American entertainment history. Its story is one of entrepreneurial spirit, artistic innovation, and the evolving tastes of a nation. From humble beginnings in a small Wisconsin town to becoming "The Greatest Show on Earth," the circus’s journey is a fascinating reflection of American culture and its enduring love for spectacle.
The seeds of this legendary entertainment empire were sown in Baraboo, Wisconsin. It was here that five of the seven Ringling brothers – Albert C. (1852–1916), Otto (1858–1911), Alfred T. (1861–1919), Charles E. (1863–1926), and John N. (1866–1936) – embarked on their ambitious venture. These five, along with their brothers August G. and Henry, and sister Ida Loraina (mother of John Ringling North), were born in McGregor, Iowa, to German immigrant Heinrich Friedrich August Rungeling, a harness maker, and his French wife, Marie Salome Juliar. Shortly after arriving in America, August simplified the family name to Ringling, a change that would soon resonate across the country.
Growing up in Baraboo, the brothers displayed a natural aptitude for performance. In 1882, they formed the "Classic and Comic Concert Co.," a modest song-and-dance troupe. For two seasons, they traveled the region, honing their skills and building a local following. Recognizing the potential for expansion, the brothers added novelty acts to their repertoire and, crucially, purchased the Yankee Robinson Circus. This acquisition marked a pivotal moment, setting the stage for the birth of the Ringling Brothers & Barnum & Bailey Circus.
On May 19, 1884, the brothers unveiled their first one-ring circus in Baraboo. It was a humble affair, but it held the promise of something grander. The inaugural season proved successful enough to warrant further investment, and at its conclusion, the brothers added a trick horse and a bear to their menagerie, enhancing the show’s appeal and attracting larger crowds.
The Ringling Brothers & Barnum & Bailey Circus continued its gradual ascent, steadily expanding its roster of performers and animals. In 1888, a significant addition was made: their first elephant. This majestic creature became an instant sensation, drawing midwestern audiences eager to witness the spectacle of such a massive animal. The arrival of the elephant was a turning point, solidifying the circus’s growing popularity and laying the foundation for future growth.
The family affair continued as a sixth brother, Henry Ringling, officially joined the show in 1886. Three years later, in 1889, the last Ringling brother, A.G. "Gus" Ringling, joined the troupe. By this time, the circus had grown significantly, boasting a seating capacity of approximately 4,000. It traversed cities and towns throughout the Midwest and Northeast, offering entertainment at an affordable price: 50 cents for adults and 25 cents for children.
During these formative years, the Ringling Brothers & Barnum & Bailey Circus relied on traditional circus wagons for transportation. Animals, equipment, and supplies were painstakingly loaded into these slow-moving vehicles, a process that limited the scope of their tours. However, in 1890, the brothers revolutionized their operations by loading their circus wagons onto railroad cars. This strategic shift allowed them to embark on longer tours, reach new audiences, and dramatically expand their reach.
By the turn of the century, the Ringling Brothers had emerged as formidable rivals to the established Barnum & Bailey Circus. Driven by ambition and a desire to dominate the entertainment landscape, the brothers began acquiring other circuses to diminish the competition. In 1906, they purchased the Forepaugh-Sells Circus, a significant move that further consolidated their power. Following the death of James Anthony Bailey in 1906, the Ringling brothers seized the opportunity to acquire the Barnum & Bailey Circus in October 1907 for a staggering $400,000. Initially, the two circuses operated independently, but the changing landscape of the nation would soon necessitate a dramatic change.
In 1919, wartime conditions, including labor shortages and rail travel disruptions, forced the Ringlings to merge the two great entities. The newly combined circus debuted on March 29 in New York City, under the name "Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Combined Shows." This behemoth of entertainment comprised 100 double-length railroad cars and employed 1,200 individuals, making it arguably the largest traveling amusement enterprise of its time.
The Roaring Twenties saw the continued flourishing of the circus. However, tragedy struck in 1926 with the death of Charles E. Ringling, leaving John as the sole remaining brother to manage the business. In 1927, John Ringling made a strategic decision to relocate the circus headquarters to Sarasota, Florida, solidifying the state’s association with the entertainment spectacle. Two years later, in 1929, he further expanded his empire by purchasing the American Circus Corporation of Peru, Indiana, for $1.7 million. This acquisition included five large circuses and a lucrative contract to perform in New York City. The combined Ringling Brothers and Barnum & Bailey Circus now boasted a main-tent seating capacity of 10,000, solidifying its position as the undisputed king of the circus world.
By this time, the Ringling brothers had become celebrated American entrepreneurs, their circus the largest in the United States and renowned worldwide. However, John Ringling’s health began to decline, and the onset of the Great Depression dealt a severe blow to both the circus and Ringling personally.
His wife, Mable, passed away in June 1929, and he remarried a year later to Emily Haag. In 1932, he was ousted from control of the business, and a new manager was appointed. His personal life also suffered, culminating in a divorce from his second wife on June 6, 1936. Just months later, on December 2, 1936, John Ringling passed away. He was the last of the Ringling brothers to die and the only one to reach his 70s. Once one of the world’s wealthiest men, he died with a mere $311 in the bank. He bequeathed his Sarasota mansion and art collection to the state of Florida, which now houses the John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art.
Following John Ringling’s death, the circus was managed by his nephew, John Ringling North (his sister’s son). Despite the economic hardships of the 1930s, the circus managed to persevere.
In 1938, the circus introduced a new attraction: well-known animal hunter, trapper, writer, and movie actor Frank Buck. That same year, Ringling presented Gargantua the gorilla, whom Frank Buck introduced as "The World’s Most Terrifying Living Creature!"
The years of World War II presented unique challenges for the nation and its entertainment industries. Many circus personnel joined the war effort, and the rail system was prioritized for transporting troops and equipment. However, recognizing the importance of entertainment for morale, President Roosevelt granted special permission for circuses to travel by train.
In 1943, North’s cousin Robert assumed the presidency of the circus.
Tragedy struck in 1944 with the Hartford Circus Fire, one of the worst disasters in circus history. During an afternoon performance on July 6, 1944, in Hartford, Connecticut, a fire erupted in the tent, which housed approximately 7,500 to 8,700 people. The fire claimed the lives of at least 167 people and injured 700 more. Some of the victims remain unidentified to this day.
The fire spread rapidly due to the tent’s waterproofing, which consisted of a highly flammable mixture of paraffin and gasoline. Investigations revealed that the tent had not been fireproofed, as the company’s request for fireproofing material had been denied by the Army. Ultimately, circus management was found negligent, and several Ringling executives served jail sentences. The company was forced to allocate all profits for the next ten years to settle claims.
The prosperity of the postwar era did not extend to the circus, as attendance dwindled while costs increased. John Ringling North resumed the presidency in 1947, but changing public tastes, influenced by the rise of movies and television, led to a decline in the circus’s popularity.
In 1951, the movie "The Greatest Show on Earth" was filmed, featuring the Ringling Brothers and Barnum & Bailey Circus.
In 1956, the circus abandoned its tent shows and transitioned to performing exclusively in indoor arenas. The Ringling Brothers gave their last performance under the big top in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, on July 16, 1956. Life Magazine famously declared that "a magical era had passed forever."
In late 1967, Irvin Feld, Israel Feld, and Judge Roy Mark Hofheinz of Texas, with backing from Richard C. Blum, acquired the company from North and the Ringling family for $8 million. Irving Feld immediately implemented changes to improve the show’s quality and profitability, including eliminating freak shows and routine acts, and focusing on family-friendly entertainment. He also launched national advertising campaigns, television specials, and public relations initiatives, revitalizing the once-declining circus.
In 1968, the Felds established the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Clown College to rejuvenate the art of clowning and purchased a circus in Europe to acquire its star animal trainer, Gunther Gebel-Williams. The clown college operated at the Sarasota Opera House until 1998, before being suspended.
The company went public in 1969, and the following year, Irvin Feld’s son, Kenneth, joined the company, learning the art of production from his father.
In 1971, the Felds and Hofheinz sold the circus to Mattel for $40 million, but the Feld family remained in management. In 1982, the Feld company bought the circus back from Mattel. Following Irvin Feld’s death in 1984, the circus became part of Feld Entertainment, an international entertainment firm headed by Kenneth Feld, with its headquarters in Ellenton, Florida.
Nicole Feld became the first female producer of Ringling Circus in 2004. In 2009, Nicole and Alana Feld co-produced the circus. On March 5, 2015, the circus announced that all elephants would be retired in 2018, a decision later moved forward to May 2016. The elephants had been a central part of the shows for years, but growing criticism from animal rights groups prompted the decision to phase out the elephant acts.
On January 14, 2017, it was announced that the circus would close in May, citing declining attendance and high operating costs. The circus’s final performance was at Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum on May 21, 2017.
After 133 years, "The Greatest Show on Earth" came to an end. However, its legacy lives on in two museums: The Circus World Museum in Baraboo, Wisconsin, and the Ringling Museum of the Circus in Sarasota, Florida. The story of the Ringling Brothers & Barnum & Bailey Circus remains a testament to the enduring power of entertainment and the captivating allure of the circus arts.