Hi Friends, If you're not interested in a bit of Pueblo reminiscing, hit the delete button. Last night I was watching the History Channel. Watched a show about the 1944 circus fire in Hartford, CT. One of our great American tragedies. In 1943 and 1944 I lived in the 2100 block of N. Elizabeth St. in Pueblo. The vacant space where the circus always set up was nearby. It was (about) between 2nd and 4th or 5th Avenue and between 24th Street and the cemetery. Sorta catty corner down from Big Hill. I think it was in 1944 (coulda been '43) that my Dad decided that he and I would go to the circus. As I remember, it was the Cole Brother's Circus. I went over and watched them set up. Saw the animals, the tents go up, the performers, the roustabouts work on getting ready for the show. They had a big top. I think it was a three ring circus. Nearing evening showtime, off we went. We drove over. Although it was only about a half-mile, my Dad was a car guy. Parked in the dirt in a designated area. Great show. I guess. I remember being hugely excited, but I don't remember any of the acts. About two-thirds of the way through the show it came up one of those gentle Pueblo summer showers. Wind about 50mph, rain so heavy you couldn't see 20 feet. The big top commenced to flap, shake, and as a matter of fact, rattle and roll. They terminated the show and told the audience to get out as the tent was likely to fall on our heads. I remember believing it. The circus folks ushered us out the exits in a reasonably orderly manner, out into a downpour of biblical proportions. We, Dad and I and the rest of the audience, waded through ankle deep water, and of course that good old sticky Pueblo 'dobe mud. Got to the car, got in, and Dad maneuvered us out of the parking area without getting stuck. (Dad started diving a Model T down in Oklahoma when there probably wasn't a paved road within 100 miles.) Well, this isn't genealogical, and I apologize if any of you are offended by the off subject post. The TV show recalled this incident and I felt like telling it to some who might even remember it. Best to all, and good luck in your research. Bob

Bob, I lived in the 1940's in the 400 block of 13th Street, right off Grand Avenue. The circus train unloaded at the "old stone depot" -- I think it was the old Santa Fe depot in the Union Avenue district. The circus then paraded north on Grand Avenue to the circus grounds, which were somewhere around 24th Street. The parade included the cage cars complete with "lions and tigers and bears", clowns and the calliope playing at full volume. We would all sit on the curb and watch the free display. Once a small group of us followed the parade out to the circus grounds and watched the big top go up. The pegs were pounded into the ground by the elephants who held huge mallets in their trunks. We spent enough time out there that afternoon that the big boss gave us all free passes to the show. Your comment brought back a lot of memories! Joan Pueblo