THE BALLOON MAN

York to mark its circus history May 19


 

Enquirer-Herald file photo - When the Barnett Brothers Circus wintered in York in the 1940s elephants on the city's streets were not an uncommon sight. 
The history of the two circuses will be commemorated with a new state historical marker, to be dedicated Saturday at the corner of Roosevelt and East Jefferson streets. The Yorkville Historical Society and Culture & Heritage Museums teamed up to get the marker approved by the state.


By Jennifer Becknell - news@enquirerherald.com
from: lakewyliepilot.com
May. 17, 2012
YORK, SC -- For more than 15 years, a lot in York served as the winter base for one of the largest motorized circuses of its kind — the Barnett Brothers Circus. Some York residents remember watching the elephants walk along East Jefferson Street to get their exercise.

The Barnett Brothers Circus inspired the five sons of police officer C.P. Bennett and his wife, Olive — who lived not far from where the Barnett Brothers Circus spent the winter — to start their own children’s circus in 1929.

The eldest son, Joe, organized it when he was about 12, and local children auditioned to be part of the circus, which grew to about 30 performers by 1938, its last season. It performed in York and other area communities in the region, always opening with a street parade.
foto
Enquirer-Herald file photo - When the Barnett Brothers Circus wintered in York in the 1940s elephants on the city's streets were not an uncommon sight.
The history of the two circuses will be commemorated with a new state historical marker, to be dedicated Saturday at the corner of Roosevelt and East Jefferson streets. The Yorkville Historical Society and Culture & Heritage Museums teamed up to get the marker approved by the state.

Nancy Sambets, director of collections and archives with McCelvey Center, said the marker dedication will be accompanied by an exhibit of historical circus memorabilia at McCelvey.

She said the Barnett Brothers Circus was significant because “it was one of the largest motorized circuses to travel from Canada into the United States. There were very few motorized circuses at the time, because most of the circuses were all on railroads.”

York Mayor Eddie Lee, who plans to speak at the dedication, said the original Lone Ranger, Lee Powell, was part of the circus. Powell performed as part of a Wild West show, Sambets said.

From November through March or April, she said, the Barnett Brothers Circus would end its traveling season and settle down in York, where it would house its animals and refurbish its equipment. Sometimes, small shows were given, too.

The show, owned by Ray Rogers, a Vermont native living in Canada, first occupied a large stone livery stable at 6 E. Jefferson St. Rogers later acquired two lots across from the livery stable, between Roosevelt and Trinity streets, where he built several buildings.

The Barnett Brothers Circus was on the road for 17 seasons, surviving the Great Depression and World War II. It was later renamed the Wallace Brothers Circus, due to the financial backing of George and Minter Wallace.

Rogers sold the circus and all its animals in 1944 to Clyde Beatty for $50,000. It became the Clyde Beatty-Cole Brothers Circus, and made new winter quarters in Florida.

Want to go?

The state historical marker dedication for the history of the Barnett Brothers and Bennett Brothers Circuses will be held from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, May 19, at Roosevelt and East Jefferson streets, York, with refreshments and circus exhibits to be open after the dedication at the McCelvey Center, 212 E. Jefferson St., York. Circus exhibits will also be open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. May 21-25 at McCelvey. Call 803-684-3948, ext. 33, for more information.