I just started reading a book about the July 6th, 1944 Hartford Circus fire. For a bit of background. In the old days, canvas tents were waterproofed with a mixture of Melted paraffin wax and white gasoline. It made then water proof, but not fireproof. In a matter of minutes the entire Big Top was consumes and 167 people, plus some of the stock animals were dead. It is full of rememberences of the circus performers, and survivours.
The fire is also the main reason RIngling would later do away with the Circus Tent. The book also details a couple of other Circus tragedies, the Cleveland Menagerie tent fire, which happened to RIngling just a few months before, and the 1918 Hagenbeck-Wallace train wreck wich took the lives of eighty-five Circus people.

The Book is called The Circus Fire by Stewart Onan, Doubleday books.

Very interesting Scruffy.

ever Heard of Mary the Circus Elephant that was hung. It's a folk tale that is supposed to be true. I remember reading about it on www.themoonlitroad.com . I really wasn't the elephants fault but she squashed some one's head and the crowd was so upset they decided they had to kill the elephant, so they hung it in a train yard, very sad.

Ihav a picture from that fire of emmett kelly carring a bucket of water also ther is a circus musem her that is just about the fire
ther is also a pbs special about it that you can get on dvd

I'll have to check the library! thanks Jamz! DO you know the exact title?

i remember seeeing a program that they talked about circuses and they had a large portion of it dedicated to that fire. it talked about many of the problems and insedents they had during the early circuses in this country. what a tragedy that was.

Just finished the book. Now on to my next project, Emmett Kelly's autobiography, Clown. I haven't read it in years, now I'm reading it to my boys.

Today they make fire retardant tents. The fabric has been treated to protect it for a limited amount of time against direct flame contact. Although these tents seem safe there are other hidden dangers. Once inside how easy is it to get out? Depending on what the tent is used for and what is inside will affect this. Today tents are used for weddings, special events, haunted attractions and circus events just to name a few. Another factor is how long the materials flame retardant treatment will hold up.

The tents that they use now are fireproof vinyl. Hartford was an incredible tradgedy. I hope it never happens again.
I must admit. If I could go back n History. I would want to see the great Shows under canvas. Ringling Bros, Hagenbeck wallace,Seel Floto, It would be great to see the Greats at their prime.