This session was a tribute to Bill Taggart, who witnessed the end of the under-canvas railroad circus era, passed away on December 24, 2024, at the age of ninety-four. Bill joined Ringling Bros and Barnum & Bailey as a horse groom after graduating from college in 1953 and was soon assigned to the “Yellow Wagon” where he sold thousands of tickets, including the last ticket to the final Ringling under-canvas circus performance on July 16, 1956. Days later he joined the Clyde Beatty railroad circus and was with it when it gave its final performance in Sarasota a brief time later.
Bill loved the circus and was a member of the Circus Historical Society. In a series of articles in our Bandwagon journal, Bill shared amazing stories of working under the enormous big tops with many of the great performers and managers of that era. In preparation for another Bandwagon article, CHS Vice President Chris Berry interviewed Bill a couple of weeks before he passed.
As a tribute to Bill, this program included a video of Bill being interviewed by Chris from a couple of years ago. Chris Berry hosted this session.
We are a tax exempt not for profit educational organization dedicated to preserving the rich history of circus. Nonmembers are invited to join CHS to receive full member benefits, including four issues of Bandwagon: The Journal of the Circus Historical Society, access to the members-only Back Yard and bookstore, discounted registration for our annual Convention, and more! Click here to learn more and join today!
Previous Circus History Live! programs are available for viewing on the CHS YouTube Channel.
For assistance, please click Technical Support.
Copyright Policy
Cookies Policy
Privacy Policy
Terms of Use
