Circus Workers

Local call number: JJS2323...Title: Rider clearing a jump at the Ringling Circus-Sarasota...Date: ca. 1947...Physical descrip: Copy slide of 35 mm. made in March 1983...Series Title: Joseph Janney Steinmetz Col More

Jill Jones, a 1995 graduate of Hugo High School in Hugo, Oklahoma, shared her memories of attending school with children involved with the town's circus community. Jill also explained how she came to work in th More

B.K. Silverlake was born in 1946 to Emma and Raymond Duke, a circus family. She outlined their history with various circuses and her life with Melvin Silverlake, who was also from a circus family. B.K. explaine More

Charles Baggett, born in 1941, talked about his father Herman, who owned car dealerships in Hugo, Oklahoma, and the relationship Herman developed with the circus community; in particular with D.R. Miller. Charl More

Mary Frazier Rawls, born in 1927, shared experiences of her life-long circus career. She began trouping with her parents at a young age and would go on to perform on the high wire for much of her career. Mary t More

Mike Fulton, born in 1957, entered the circus industry at a young age and discussed how that came about. After high school graduation, the family moved to Hugo, Oklahoma. He held various jobs within the circus More

Supplementary materials for 'The "Big Top" Show Goes On:An Oral History of Occupations Inside and Outside the Canvas Tent' interviews conducted by Tanya D. Finchum and Juliana M. Nykolaiszen of circus workers a More

Kristin Byrd Parra, born in 1975, talked about her grandparents D.R. and Isla Miller and about growing up in the family's circus. She shared memories of performing the swinging ladder and working with the anima More

Dudley Hamilton, born in 1929, joined the circus in 1982. He shared his life experiences that brought him to the circus as well as what various jobs he has held within the circus. Dudley described the life of a More

Joel Mashburn, born in 1947, described his interactions with members of the circus community from attending high school with children of circus owners and performers to employing children of circus owners in hi More

Traci Byrd Cavallini, born in 1972, talked about her grandparents D.R. and Isla Miller, and about growing up in the family's circus. She shared memories of performing the swinging ladder, and later performing w More

Third-generation circus owner Barbara Miller Byrd was born in 1946. She talked about her parents, D.R. and Isla Miller, and the history of the Carson & Barnes Circus, and the future of traveling tent shows. Bar More

Popcorn the Circus Comic was born "somewhere in the east" and he talked about his early interest in magic and how that led to his career as a circus clown. Popcorn described the life of a circus clown, how he d More

Robert Bob Rawls, born in 1949, shared his childhood memories of being with the circus, performing a rolling globe act with his father, a trampoline act with his brother, and learning tight wire walking from hi More

Charles Baggett, born in 1941, talked about his father Herman, who owned car dealerships in Hugo, Oklahoma, and the relationship Herman developed with the circus community; in particular with D.R. Miller. Charl More

Mike Fulton, born in 1957, entered the circus industry at a young age and discussed how that came about. After high school graduation, the family moved to Hugo, Oklahoma. He held various jobs within the circus More

B.K. Silverlake was born in 1946 to Emma and Raymond Duke, a circus family. She outlined their history with various circuses and her life with Melvin Silverlake, who was also from a circus family. B.K. explaine More

Mary Frazier Rawls, born in 1927, shared experiences of her life-long circus career. She began trouping with her parents at a young age and would go on to perform on the high wire for much of her career. Mary t More

Jill Jones, a 1995 graduate of Hugo High School in Hugo, Oklahoma, shared her memories of attending school with children involved with the town's circus community. Jill also explained how she came to work in th More

Third-generation circus owner Barbara Miller Byrd was born in 1946. She talked about her parents, D.R. and Isla Miller, and the history of the Carson & Barnes Circus, and the future of traveling tent shows. Bar More

Supplementary materials for 'The "Big Top" Show Goes On:An Oral History of Occupations Inside and Outside the Canvas Tent' interviews conducted by Tanya D. Finchum and Juliana M. Nykolaiszen of circus workers a More

Mary Frazier Rawls, born in 1927, shared experiences of her life-long circus career. She began trouping with her parents at a young age and would go on to perform on the high wire for much of her career. Mary t More

B.K. Silverlake was born in 1946 to Emma and Raymond Duke, a circus family. She outlined their history with various circuses and her life with Melvin Silverlake, who was also from a circus family. B.K. explaine More

Charles Baggett, born in 1941, talked about his father Herman, who owned car dealerships in Hugo, Oklahoma, and the relationship Herman developed with the circus community; in particular with D.R. Miller. Charl More

Mike Fulton, born in 1957, entered the circus industry at a young age and discussed how that came about. After high school graduation, the family moved to Hugo, Oklahoma. He held various jobs within the circus More

Third-generation circus owner Barbara Miller Byrd was born in 1946. She talked about her parents, D.R. and Isla Miller, and the history of the Carson & Barnes Circus, and the future of traveling tent shows. Bar More

Supplementary materials for 'The "Big Top" Show Goes On:An Oral History of Occupations Inside and Outside the Canvas Tent' interviews conducted by Tanya D. Finchum and Juliana M. Nykolaiszen of circus workers a More

Mary Frazier Rawls, born in 1927, shared experiences of her life-long circus career. She began trouping with her parents at a young age and would go on to perform on the high wire for much of her career. Mary t More

Charles Baggett, born in 1941, talked about his father Herman, who owned car dealerships in Hugo, Oklahoma, and the relationship Herman developed with the circus community; in particular with D.R. Miller. Charl More

Mike Fulton, born in 1957, entered the circus industry at a young age and discussed how that came about. After high school graduation, the family moved to Hugo, Oklahoma. He held various jobs within the circus More

B.K. Silverlake was born in 1946 to Emma and Raymond Duke, a circus family. She outlined their history with various circuses and her life with Melvin Silverlake, who was also from a circus family. B.K. explaine More

Third-generation circus owner Barbara Miller Byrd was born in 1946. She talked about her parents, D.R. and Isla Miller, and the history of the Carson & Barnes Circus, and the future of traveling tent shows. Bar More

Supplementary materials for 'The "Big Top" Show Goes On:An Oral History of Occupations Inside and Outside the Canvas Tent' interviews conducted by Tanya D. Finchum and Juliana M. Nykolaiszen of circus workers a More

Mary Frazier Rawls, born in 1927, shared experiences of her life-long circus career. She began trouping with her parents at a young age and would go on to perform on the high wire for much of her career. Mary t More

Mike Fulton, born in 1957, entered the circus industry at a young age and discussed how that came about. After high school graduation, the family moved to Hugo, Oklahoma. He held various jobs within the circus More

B.K. Silverlake was born in 1946 to Emma and Raymond Duke, a circus family. She outlined their history with various circuses and her life with Melvin Silverlake, who was also from a circus family. B.K. explaine More

Charles Baggett, born in 1941, talked about his father Herman, who owned car dealerships in Hugo, Oklahoma, and the relationship Herman developed with the circus community; in particular with D.R. Miller. Charl More

Third-generation circus owner Barbara Miller Byrd was born in 1946. She talked about her parents, D.R. and Isla Miller, and the history of the Carson & Barnes Circus, and the future of traveling tent shows. Bar More

Supplementary materials for 'The "Big Top" Show Goes On:An Oral History of Occupations Inside and Outside the Canvas Tent' interviews conducted by Tanya D. Finchum and Juliana M. Nykolaiszen of circus workers a More

Mary Frazier Rawls, born in 1927, shared experiences of her life-long circus career. She began trouping with her parents at a young age and would go on to perform on the high wire for much of her career. Mary t More

Mike Fulton, born in 1957, entered the circus industry at a young age and discussed how that came about. After high school graduation, the family moved to Hugo, Oklahoma. He held various jobs within the circus More

B.K. Silverlake was born in 1946 to Emma and Raymond Duke, a circus family. She outlined their history with various circuses and her life with Melvin Silverlake, who was also from a circus family. B.K. explaine More

Charles Baggett, born in 1941, talked about his father Herman, who owned car dealerships in Hugo, Oklahoma, and the relationship Herman developed with the circus community; in particular with D.R. Miller. Charl More

Third-generation circus owner Barbara Miller Byrd was born in 1946. She talked about her parents, D.R. and Isla Miller, and the history of the Carson & Barnes Circus, and the future of traveling tent shows. Bar More

Supplementary materials for 'The "Big Top" Show Goes On:An Oral History of Occupations Inside and Outside the Canvas Tent' interviews conducted by Tanya D. Finchum and Juliana M. Nykolaiszen of circus workers a More

B.K. Silverlake was born in 1946 to Emma and Raymond Duke, a circus family. She outlined their history with various circuses and her life with Melvin Silverlake, who was also from a circus family. B.K. explaine More

Mary Frazier Rawls, born in 1927, shared experiences of her life-long circus career. She began trouping with her parents at a young age and would go on to perform on the high wire for much of her career. Mary t More

Mike Fulton, born in 1957, entered the circus industry at a young age and discussed how that came about. After high school graduation, the family moved to Hugo, Oklahoma. He held various jobs within the circus More

Charles Baggett, born in 1941, talked about his father Herman, who owned car dealerships in Hugo, Oklahoma, and the relationship Herman developed with the circus community; in particular with D.R. Miller. Charl More

Third-generation circus owner Barbara Miller Byrd was born in 1946. She talked about her parents, D.R. and Isla Miller, and the history of the Carson & Barnes Circus, and the future of traveling tent shows. Bar More

Supplementary materials for 'The "Big Top" Show Goes On:An Oral History of Occupations Inside and Outside the Canvas Tent' interviews conducted by Tanya D. Finchum and Juliana M. Nykolaiszen of circus workers a More

Mary Frazier Rawls, born in 1927, shared experiences of her life-long circus career. She began trouping with her parents at a young age and would go on to perform on the high wire for much of her career. Mary t More

Mike Fulton, born in 1957, entered the circus industry at a young age and discussed how that came about. After high school graduation, the family moved to Hugo, Oklahoma. He held various jobs within the circus More

B.K. Silverlake was born in 1946 to Emma and Raymond Duke, a circus family. She outlined their history with various circuses and her life with Melvin Silverlake, who was also from a circus family. B.K. explaine More

Charles Baggett, born in 1941, talked about his father Herman, who owned car dealerships in Hugo, Oklahoma, and the relationship Herman developed with the circus community; in particular with D.R. Miller. Charl More

Third-generation circus owner Barbara Miller Byrd was born in 1946. She talked about her parents, D.R. and Isla Miller, and the history of the Carson & Barnes Circus, and the future of traveling tent shows. Bar More

Supplementary materials for 'The "Big Top" Show Goes On:An Oral History of Occupations Inside and Outside the Canvas Tent' interviews conducted by Tanya D. Finchum and Juliana M. Nykolaiszen of circus workers a More

Mike Fulton, born in 1957, entered the circus industry at a young age and discussed how that came about. After high school graduation, the family moved to Hugo, Oklahoma. He held various jobs within the circus More

Mary Frazier Rawls, born in 1927, shared experiences of her life-long circus career. She began trouping with her parents at a young age and would go on to perform on the high wire for much of her career. Mary t More

B.K. Silverlake was born in 1946 to Emma and Raymond Duke, a circus family. She outlined their history with various circuses and her life with Melvin Silverlake, who was also from a circus family. B.K. explaine More

Supplementary materials for 'The "Big Top" Show Goes On:An Oral History of Occupations Inside and Outside the Canvas Tent' interviews conducted by Tanya D. Finchum and Juliana M. Nykolaiszen of circus workers a More

Charles Baggett, born in 1941, talked about his father Herman, who owned car dealerships in Hugo, Oklahoma, and the relationship Herman developed with the circus community; in particular with D.R. Miller. Charl More

Third-generation circus owner Barbara Miller Byrd was born in 1946. She talked about her parents, D.R. and Isla Miller, and the history of the Carson & Barnes Circus, and the future of traveling tent shows. Bar More

Mike Fulton, born in 1957, entered the circus industry at a young age and discussed how that came about. After high school graduation, the family moved to Hugo, Oklahoma. He held various jobs within the circus More

B.K. Silverlake was born in 1946 to Emma and Raymond Duke, a circus family. She outlined their history with various circuses and her life with Melvin Silverlake, who was also from a circus family. B.K. explaine More

Mary Frazier Rawls, born in 1927, shared experiences of her life-long circus career. She began trouping with her parents at a young age and would go on to perform on the high wire for much of her career. Mary t More

Charles Baggett, born in 1941, talked about his father Herman, who owned car dealerships in Hugo, Oklahoma, and the relationship Herman developed with the circus community; in particular with D.R. Miller. Charl More

Third-generation circus owner Barbara Miller Byrd was born in 1946. She talked about her parents, D.R. and Isla Miller, and the history of the Carson & Barnes Circus, and the future of traveling tent shows. Bar More

Supplementary materials for 'The "Big Top" Show Goes On:An Oral History of Occupations Inside and Outside the Canvas Tent' interviews conducted by Tanya D. Finchum and Juliana M. Nykolaiszen of circus workers a More

Mary Frazier Rawls, born in 1927, shared experiences of her life-long circus career. She began trouping with her parents at a young age and would go on to perform on the high wire for much of her career. Mary t More

B.K. Silverlake was born in 1946 to Emma and Raymond Duke, a circus family. She outlined their history with various circuses and her life with Melvin Silverlake, who was also from a circus family. B.K. explaine More

Mike Fulton, born in 1957, entered the circus industry at a young age and discussed how that came about. After high school graduation, the family moved to Hugo, Oklahoma. He held various jobs within the circus More

Third-generation circus owner Barbara Miller Byrd was born in 1946. She talked about her parents, D.R. and Isla Miller, and the history of the Carson & Barnes Circus, and the future of traveling tent shows. Bar More

Supplementary materials for 'The "Big Top" Show Goes On:An Oral History of Occupations Inside and Outside the Canvas Tent' interviews conducted by Tanya D. Finchum and Juliana M. Nykolaiszen of circus workers a More

Charles Baggett, born in 1941, talked about his father Herman, who owned car dealerships in Hugo, Oklahoma, and the relationship Herman developed with the circus community; in particular with D.R. Miller. Charl More

Mike Fulton, born in 1957, entered the circus industry at a young age and discussed how that came about. After high school graduation, the family moved to Hugo, Oklahoma. He held various jobs within the circus More

B.K. Silverlake was born in 1946 to Emma and Raymond Duke, a circus family. She outlined their history with various circuses and her life with Melvin Silverlake, who was also from a circus family. B.K. explaine More

Mary Frazier Rawls, born in 1927, shared experiences of her life-long circus career. She began trouping with her parents at a young age and would go on to perform on the high wire for much of her career. Mary t More

Supplementary materials for 'The "Big Top" Show Goes On:An Oral History of Occupations Inside and Outside the Canvas Tent' interviews conducted by Tanya D. Finchum and Juliana M. Nykolaiszen of circus workers a More

Charles Baggett, born in 1941, talked about his father Herman, who owned car dealerships in Hugo, Oklahoma, and the relationship Herman developed with the circus community; in particular with D.R. Miller. Charl More

Third-generation circus owner Barbara Miller Byrd was born in 1946. She talked about her parents, D.R. and Isla Miller, and the history of the Carson & Barnes Circus, and the future of traveling tent shows. Bar More

B.K. Silverlake was born in 1946 to Emma and Raymond Duke, a circus family. She outlined their history with various circuses and her life with Melvin Silverlake, who was also from a circus family. B.K. explaine More

Mike Fulton, born in 1957, entered the circus industry at a young age and discussed how that came about. After high school graduation, the family moved to Hugo, Oklahoma. He held various jobs within the circus More

Supplementary materials for 'The "Big Top" Show Goes On:An Oral History of Occupations Inside and Outside the Canvas Tent' interviews conducted by Tanya D. Finchum and Juliana M. Nykolaiszen of circus workers a More

Mary Frazier Rawls, born in 1927, shared experiences of her life-long circus career. She began trouping with her parents at a young age and would go on to perform on the high wire for much of her career. Mary t More

Charles Baggett, born in 1941, talked about his father Herman, who owned car dealerships in Hugo, Oklahoma, and the relationship Herman developed with the circus community; in particular with D.R. Miller. Charl More

Third-generation circus owner Barbara Miller Byrd was born in 1946. She talked about her parents, D.R. and Isla Miller, and the history of the Carson & Barnes Circus, and the future of traveling tent shows. Bar More

B.K. Silverlake was born in 1946 to Emma and Raymond Duke, a circus family. She outlined their history with various circuses and her life with Melvin Silverlake, who was also from a circus family. B.K. explaine More

Mike Fulton, born in 1957, entered the circus industry at a young age and discussed how that came about. After high school graduation, the family moved to Hugo, Oklahoma. He held various jobs within the circus More

Supplementary materials for 'The "Big Top" Show Goes On:An Oral History of Occupations Inside and Outside the Canvas Tent' interviews conducted by Tanya D. Finchum and Juliana M. Nykolaiszen of circus workers a More

Third-generation circus owner Barbara Miller Byrd was born in 1946. She talked about her parents, D.R. and Isla Miller, and the history of the Carson & Barnes Circus, and the future of traveling tent shows. Bar More

Mary Frazier Rawls, born in 1927, shared experiences of her life-long circus career. She began trouping with her parents at a young age and would go on to perform on the high wire for much of her career. Mary t More

Charles Baggett, born in 1941, talked about his father Herman, who owned car dealerships in Hugo, Oklahoma, and the relationship Herman developed with the circus community; in particular with D.R. Miller. Charl More

B.K. Silverlake was born in 1946 to Emma and Raymond Duke, a circus family. She outlined their history with various circuses and her life with Melvin Silverlake, who was also from a circus family. B.K. explaine More

Mike Fulton, born in 1957, entered the circus industry at a young age and discussed how that came about. After high school graduation, the family moved to Hugo, Oklahoma. He held various jobs within the circus More

Supplementary materials for 'The "Big Top" Show Goes On:An Oral History of Occupations Inside and Outside the Canvas Tent' interviews conducted by Tanya D. Finchum and Juliana M. Nykolaiszen of circus workers a More

Charles Baggett, born in 1941, talked about his father Herman, who owned car dealerships in Hugo, Oklahoma, and the relationship Herman developed with the circus community; in particular with D.R. Miller. Charl More

B.K. Silverlake was born in 1946 to Emma and Raymond Duke, a circus family. She outlined their history with various circuses and her life with Melvin Silverlake, who was also from a circus family. B.K. explaine More

Mike Fulton, born in 1957, entered the circus industry at a young age and discussed how that came about. After high school graduation, the family moved to Hugo, Oklahoma. He held various jobs within the circus More

Supplementary materials for 'The "Big Top" Show Goes On:An Oral History of Occupations Inside and Outside the Canvas Tent' interviews conducted by Tanya D. Finchum and Juliana M. Nykolaiszen of circus workers a More