August 9, 2017
This is “Our
Past Is Present” from the Geary County Historical Society.
Zoos were
not as numerous in Kansas as they are today.
So when a circus came to town, parents made every effort to take their
children to see the animals. Many of those animals were unusual examples of
wild life. Before there were many zoos,
the circus was a way to see and learn about animals that were not common to our
area. A good place to see these animals
was at the circus.
It was August 9 and 10 in 1866 following the Civil War that J.T. Johnson
and Company exhibited the first circus in Junction City. Watching a circus crew put up the big tent and
make camp was almost as exciting as seeing the animals and the show. The elephants usually stole the attention in
the pre-event activities, because of the work they did in unloading and setting
up equipment for the performances. In
1867, the Siamese Twins, who were part of this company, visited the town
again. During the decades which
followed, the summer entertainment was often furnished by traveling shows of
various types.
Circuses are becoming less and less
available now. Many of us have memories
of circuses that not only had entertaining animal acts, but also trapeze artists,
clowns and who could forget the circus marches and music played by live
musicians with tremendous skills and talent.
Good memories!!!
Well, that is today’s story on “Our
Past Is Present” from the Geary County Historical Society.
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