History of Traveling Shows In America
Long ago, when the country was still young and everything was infinitely possible, mile-long railroad trains loaded with colorful wagons full of exotic mysteries traveled through the darkness of night, bringing the earliest form of entertainment that many in early America would ever experience.
Early Forms of Entertainment in America were brought to people throughout the United States on dirt roads by horse and wagon, trains, which expanded into mile long railroad trains loaded with colorful wagons full of exotic mysteries, traveling through the darkness of night. Medicine Shows, Magic and Illusion Shows, Animal Menageries, Street Fairs, and so much more created the early forms of entertainment along with State Fairs. As the trains were unloaded, the midway began to take shape and come to life, revealing all types of entertainment from Street Fairs, movies shown on the midway as early as 1896 with The Great Train Robbery, Wild West Shows like Buffalo Bill’s, Western Shows, Sideshows, Music Shows, Oriental Shows, Thrill Shows, Magic Shows, Animal Menageries, and more . . .
Remembering this important part of Americana and the interesting people who devoted their lives to bringing early forms of entertainment to America, where every day, people could experience the richness of this colorful, mysterious, sometimes exotic, new world.
The stories within this site are captivating examples of the struggles and dedication that went into early forms of entertainment in America, and the imagination, creativity, and ingenuity catapulted this industry into what it is today. As the talker standing on the bally stage would have told you, “The Big Show is On The Inside.”
Never before had America had the opportunity to see and experience other cultures and animals, magic, music, and fun like the earliest forms of entertainment in America. It was a once in a lifetime experience and carnivals were created to bring the magic to everyone. They stiill do!
