HISTORY WORLD’S GREATEST SHOW COMES TO TOWN

In1903 as the hot summer began to give way to the cooler temperatures of autumn, Visalians looked forward to the change. But their anticipation went beyond cooler weather. Fall often meant a visit from the Ringling Bros. circus. The famous performers had come to Visalia in 1900 and 1901. Having skipped in 1902, they were now coming back, and Visalians were ready for the “largest circus on earth.”

The town of about 3,000 first got wind of the 1903 return visit in August when George Heiser, the advance man for the company, arrived in town. His presence did not escape the Daily Visalia Delta that speculated, after spotting him, that soon every billboard and wall in the county would be covered with posters for the big circus. Shortly after Heiser’s arrival, rumors of the circus were confirmed when August “Gus” Ringling, one of the famous brothers, arrived in town and checked into the Palace Hotel on September 3rd. It was clear the circus was once again coming to Visalia.

Word spread quickly: The circus was scheduled for Friday, September 25th. As usual, the big street parade would begin at 10am, followed by two show times at 2pm and 8pm. Ticket prices were set at 50 cents and children under 12 were half price. The S. Sweet Company didn’t waste any time in getting involved in its promotion by offering one free child’s ticket to anyone who made a $5.00 cash purchase at their store. The newspaper provided frequent circus updates throughout the month to build excitement and sell tickets. In the early morning hours of the big day, the circus train arrived and a tent city quickly sprang up on the western edge of town (near today’s Recreation Park).

Soon circus animals and performers began assembling on east Main Street to prepare for the big parade. At 10:00 am, with both sides of the street lined with excited spectators, the circus trumpets sounded and the parade began moving westbound on Main to give the audience a taste of the shows to come. For over 1½ miles, the procession stretched through town. Performers of all kinds walked and marched down the street and wild animals were displayed in brightly colored circus cages mounted on elaborately carved and decorated wagons being pulled by powerful teams of horses.

AUGUST “GUS” RINGLING, ONE OF THE FAMOUS BROTHERS, CHECKED INTO THE PALACE HOTEL ON SEPTEMBER 3, 1903.

Mounted on horseback, riders wearing a variety of costumes rode down Main Street, proudly showing off their garb. Acrobats and clowns entertained the crowds with their antics, while performers dressed like barbarians, explorers, and scientists marched along. All 1,200 characters in the “Jerusalem & the Crusades” spectacle paraded in costume down Main Street, singing and dancing, showing off their fancy attire and amazing talent. Of special interest was a grand organ mounted on a wagon. It was described as the largest portable organ ever built. The crowd loved it!

The free street parade was clearly popular with the spectators, and the circus company was also pleased. The parade’s purpose was to generate interest in buying show tickets. The shows were the company’s moneymakers, and the parade worked its magic.

The two shows were a big hit! 375 human performers worked in six big arenas with over 600 horses and 40 elephants including “Baby Boo”—the only baby elephant bred, born, and successfully reared in America at that time. The shows also included a rhinoceros and a pair of giraffes—three animals the circus claimed were the only ones in captivity.

New that year as part of the shows was the ballet spectacle previewed in the parade called “Jerusalem and the Crusaders.” The massive production involved about 1,200 actors including dancing girls, musicians, and chorus singers. The new production required a huge electrified canvas tent—the largest that had ever been used by a circus.

The two shows were as impressive as the parade. The one-day visit left a lasting mark on the town and the Delta reported, “The Ringling Bros. have always had a progressive, modern and incomparably big show, but this year they have gone to amazingly extravagant lengths in every department, not only surpassing their best previous achievements, but beyond question have reached the limit of human possibility.” The circus was so large that 85 double-length railroad cars were needed to hold and transport the necessary equipment, performers, and animals.

The business community was pleased too. Stores, hotels, restaurants, livery stables, and saloons did “enormous” business, and the town marshal was also relieved when he reported Visalia was unusually quiet. Only nine arrests had been made for public intoxication—a remarkably small number given the number of visitors. Both the Southern Pacific and the Santa Fe railroads adjusted their passenger train schedules to accommodate the large crowds.

However, the event left a small blemish on the circus. In all the excitement to get the word out, circus posters were pasted on the freshly painted walls of the Union warehouses, damaging the buildings to the tune of $1,000. Warehouse company officials filed a complaint against the circus for the damage. Regardless, the vast majority declared the circus’ 1903 visit an overwhelming success.

After the last performance, the tent village was disassembled and all the show people, animals, and equipment were loaded back onto the train cars. The “Biggest Circus on Earth” headed south. Next stop: Bakersfield.

Nearly 15,000 circus fans had seen the two performances and thousands more witnessed the street parade. The Delta spoke for many when they reported, “Ringling Brothers have established a reputation for themselves that will long live as circus people. They will always be welcome here…”