Circus in town: Ringling Brothers, Barnum & Bailey visit Toledo in 1937

7/17/2017

A cool breeze accompanied by the thrill to be entertained filled the atmosphere on July 17, 1937. Death-defying acrobats and exotic animals arrived to put on an adventurous show.

This Blade archive photo taken on July 17, 1937, shows Toledoans observing as circus tents were installed. The Ringling Brothers and Barnum & Bailey Circus was setting up on Manhattan Boulevard near Stickney Avenue.

Pictures of the Week: July 10-16, 2017

Four solid steel trains transported the circus. The retinue included 1,600 people, seven elephant herds, 700 horses, 1,009 menagerie animals, and 800 performers. The seats could hold an audience of 16,000.

The Ringling Brothers and Barnum & Bailey Circus recently ended its 146-year run. Their last show was held in Uniondale, N.Y, on May 21, 2017.

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