Gollmar Bros. Circus cage wagon
The cage wagon was originally built for the Gollmar Bros. Circus around 1910. By 1912, we are seeing at least one solid side and carvings, making this more clearly recognized as a Tableau / cage wagon.
( 1912 – Conover Photographic collection )
The Gollmar Bros. Circus used this wagon through the end of the 1915 season. They sold the show to veteran carnival man, James Patterson. He operated the James Patterson – Gollmar Bros. Circus through 1918. Patterson continued to use this wagon between his carnival and circus operations through 1924. The wagon was then sold to Floyd and Howard King who used it on their Walter L. Main Circus, Gentry Bros. Circus and Cole Bros. World Toured Shows through 1930.
( 1929 – Joseph Bradbury Album # 6 – photo # 4A – Cole Bros. World Toured Shows )
By comparing these two photos, you can see that the wagon underwent many changes over the years. The large figure on the skyboard is changed, the mudboard is changed and the carvings on the sides are changed. The wheels were a 14 spoke configuration. By 1929, they show up as a 16 spoke wheel.
(1) The King shows were re-possessed by National Printing and Lithograph Co. The equipment was offered for sale and moved to the Venice Transport Co facilities where it remained until bought by George Christy in May of 1936.
The wagon remained in the Christy holdings through 1948.
( 1948 – Joseph Bradbury Album # 15 – photo # 50D – at the Christy Bros. WQ in S. Houston, TX. )
From 1949 to 1951, the wagon was on display at the Chicago Railroad Fair.
( 1949-1950 – Joseph Bradbury Album # 26 -photo # 44B at Chicago Railroads Fair )
Following the conclusion of the Chicago Railroads Fair, Norm Senhauser of new Philadelphia, Ohio bought this wagon. Norm used the wagon in various parades in multiple states from 1952 to 1964. In 1964, he sold it to the Jos. Schlitz Brewing Co. who then donated it to the Circus World Museum in Baraboo, WI.
( 2009 – Bob Cline photo )
The wagon is 13’10” long, 7’10” wide and 10’9″ tall.
(1) Bandwagon, March / April 1979, pp. 4-18.
The wagon can be seen in person at Circus World in Baraboo, Wisconsin
If you have any questions or have more photographic evidence, feel free to contact us at circuswagons@gmail.com