The Campbell Brothers Circus arrived in Manistique during early August of 1910. The festivities were kicked off with a thrilling parade designed to entice people to attend the circus. The event was witnessed by throngs of children and their parents, who lined the boardwalks and spilled into the street as the exotic spectacle wound its way through town. Camels, elephants and water buffalo plodded single file down Cedar Street followed by a melodious steam calliope, drawn by a team of six draft horses. Colorful circus wagons holding tigers, lions, monkeys, exotic birds and a striped zebra mesmerized the crowd. The parade, which extended for eight city blocks, also included a 25 piece concert band, four band wagons, jugglers and a troupe of acrobats. In all, the circus traveled with 500 animals and employed 700 people.
The circus traversed the country by train in 42 double length railroad cars. It reached Manistique after completing a performance in Escanaba. Admission was 20 cents for adults and 10 cents for children. Measuring 130 feet in diameter, the big top featured three rings and two stages. Highlights of the show included 17 performing elephants and a troupe of 30 trapeze artists. Advertisements in the Manistique Pioneer Tribune touted the “Marvelous Renello” who would do a complete somersault on a bicycle while “leaping a gap.” The circus was also home to handsome show horses and talented equestrians who enthralled audiences with daring feats while riding bareback. Of course, no circus would be complete without 20 “happy and jolly” clowns.
Steam calliope at Campbell Bros. circus parade – August 1910. The calliope played musical notes via a keyboard and steam whistles. Photo courtesy Maurita Holland
In 1910, the circus provided rural communities with its only exposure to wildlife from distant lands. Today, the spectacle of the elephant, one of the world’s most social and intelligent animals, being removed from the wild and forced to perform tricks for man’s entertainment is no longer acceptable. However, in the early 20th century the circus was a source of wonder and amazement.
Elephants and water buffalo at the circus parade 1910. SCHS Photo
Campbell Brothers Circus reached its zenith in 1910, but a series of calamities including a train wreck, fires and an economic downturn brought about its bankruptcy in 1912. The first disaster befell the circus just ten days after its appearance in Manistique. While traveling to Grand Rapids, Wisconsin, the circus train was struck in the middle by a passenger train causing the death of several animals. One circus employee was killed and four others were badly injured. There were no serious injuries on the passenger train. The cause of the accident was believed to be a switch which was left open. The Campbell Brothers Circus, which began operations in 1883, gave their final performance on August 13, 1912 while on tour in Texas.
Campbell Bros. circus parade, 1910, Note the early automobile parked on the left near the boardwalk. Marcus Bosanic Collection