Denver Public Library Western History/Genealogy Digital Collections

- Circus performers
- Women circus performers stand and pose balanced on the shoulders of men circus performers in front of a canvas tent at probably the Dokey Circus in Denver, Colorado. Women wear tights and satin leotards with matching headbands. Men wear acrobat...
- Dokey Circus--People--1920-1940.; Denver (Colo.)--1920-1940.; Acrobats--Colorado--Denver--1920-1940.; Circus performers--Colorado--Denver--1920-1940.; Circuses & shows--Colorado--Denver--1920-1940.
- [between 1927 and 1931?]
- Collage of paintings
- View of paintings that depict fair performers on stage, men and women in a park, and possibly police who walk with a man. Image titles include: "La parade des lutteurs," "Un tour de valse," "Le dimanche du poirot," "Le flirt au Parc Monceau," and...
- Fairs--1890-1910.
- [between 1890 and 1910?]
- Local talent at the Dickens Opera House Third and Main, Longmont, Colo.
- Performers Jim McLellan (left wearing a cowboy hat) and Bud Rowen (dressed as a woman) pose on stage at the Dickens Opera House, Longmont, Colorado. The stage curtain drop has a painting of a rocky coast line with crashing waves, surrounded by...
- Longmont (Colo.)--1890-1900.; Actors--Colorado--Longmont--1890-1900.; Advertisements--Colorado--Longmont--1890-1900.; Theaters--Colorado--Longmont--1890-1900.
- [between 1890 and 1900]
- Pre-Mexican Independence Day celebration
- View of performers for Mexican Independence day (Diez y Seis de Septiembre) festivities in Denver, Colorado. A man dressed in a mariachi costume plays a vihuela (small guitar), he stands next to three Mexican American women in full dresses...
- Independence Day (Mexico)--Colorado--Denver--1960-1970.; Mexican Americans--Colorado--Boulder--1960-1970.; Denver (Colo.)--1960-1970.; Celebrations--Colorado--Denver--1960-1970.; Costumes--Colorado--Denver--1960-1970.;...
- [between 1960 and 1970]
- Wheeler Opera House
- Interior view of the Wheeler Opera House in Aspen, Colorado. Musicians, performers, and a band sit on the stage. The musicians hold instruments including coronet, cello, and violin. Three Black performers sit on the end of each row of musicians. ...
- Aspen (Colo.)--1900-1910.; African Americans--Performances & portrayals--Colorado--Aspen--1900-1910.; Entertainers--Colorado--Aspen--1900-1910.; Interiors.; Opera houses--Colorado--Aspen--1900-1910.; Wheeler Opera House (Aspen, Colo.)
- [between 1904 and 1905]
- Colorado Pageant of Progress
- Panoramic view of performers in the Colorado Pageant of Progress probably near Denver, Colorado. Men, women, and children pose near a large backdrop. Costumed performers include Native Americans, priests, monks, ballerinas, dancers, pioneers,...
- Denver (Colo.)--1920-1930.; Children--Colorado--Denver--1920-1930.; Costumes--Colorado--Denver--1920-1930.; Entertainers--Colorado--Denver--1920-1930.; Pageants--Colorado--Denver--1920-1930.; Women--Colorado--Denver--1920-1930.
- 1923 July 2-15
- Electric search light
- A man stands next to an electric search light used to spotlight performers during Buffalo Bill's Wild West Show at Ambrose Park in Brooklyn, New York. The man wears a straw hat and suit. Three search lights were mounted on a platform above the...
- Wild west shows--1880-1920.; Electric lighting--1890-1900.; Buffalo Bill, 1846-1917.; Buffalo Bill's Wild West Show.
- [1894?]
- Syrians
- A group of Syrian performers poses in front of a large tent in a camp for Buffalo Bill's Wild West Show. The men wear turbans on their heads. A young man raises another young man doing a hand-stand into the air above his head. Four of the...
- Wild west shows--1880-1920.; Acrobats--1890-1900.; Tents--1890-1900.; Buffalo Bill, 1846-1917.; Buffalo Bill's Wild West Show.; Syrians.
- 1899
- Estes Park Fairgrounds, part of the entertainment Indian actor Cochise and Chano "El Coyote," flanked by El Jebel Bouloul clowns and Ogalala Sioux Indians, this 3R show broke all attendance records.
- Syrian American actor Michael Ansara, "Cochise" from the TV series "Broken Arrow," wears long hair and is dressed as a North American Indian in leather leggings, moccasins, a headband, and a bowie knife at the Estes Park fairgrounds in Larimer...
- Ancient Arabic Order of the Nobles of the Mystic Shrine for North America--People.; Roundup Riders of the Rockies (Colo.)--People--1950-1960.; Indians of North America--Performances & portrayals--1950-1960.; Indians of North America--1950-1960.;...
- 1958 July
- Women performers outside circus tent
- Two women circus performers, with the Sells Floto Circus and Buffalo Bill's Wild West Show, rehearse near a circus tent and wagon. People watch the women practice.
- Buffalo Bill's Wild West Company--People--1910-1920.; Sells Floto Circus--People--1910-1920.; Circus performers--1910-1920.; Circuses & shows--1910-1920.; Show tents--1910-1920.; Women--1910-1920.
- [between 1910 and 1917?]
- Women circus performers with an elephant
- Two women circus performers, in costume, pose beside an elephant at the Sells Floto Circus and Buffalo Bill's Wild West Show. Their costumes include turbans with ostrich feathers, baggy pants open at the sides and tapered at the ankle, chemises...
- Buffalo Bill's Wild West Company--People--1910-1920.; Sells Floto Circus--People--1910-1920.; Circus animals--1910-1920.; Circus performers--1910-1920.; Elephants--1910-1920.; Women--1910-1920.
- [between 1910 and 1917?]
- Circus performers
- Circus performers pose in front of a canvas tent at probably the Dokey Circus in Denver, Colorado. Men dressed as clowns wear costumes that include: knickers, bow ties, hats or caps and a polka dotted clown suit with oversized feet. Clowns balance...
- Dokey Circus--People--1920-1940.; Denver (Colo.)--1920-1940.; Circuses & shows--Colorado--Denver--1920-1940.; Clowns--Colorado--Denver--1920-1940.
- [between 1927 and 1931?]
- Performers
- Seventeen women performers of the "Broom Brigade" cast pose in two rows. Each wears a costume of a long-sleeved bodice with a mandarin collar, a cross piece across the breast, a full, pleated skirt with a dark band around the skirt, and a Civil War...
- Greeley (Colo.)--1880-1890.; Actresses--1880-1890.
- 1885
- Devlin Zouaves, Sells Floto Buffalo Bill Show
- The Devlin's Zouaves, performers for the Sells Floto Circus and Buffalo Bill's Wild West Show, parade down a street in Pasadena (Los Angeles County), California. Some of the Zouaves carry drums, others carry rifles over their shoulders. All of the...
- Buffalo Bill's Wild West Company--People--1910-1920.; Devlin's Zouaves--People--1910-1920.; Sells Floto Circus--People--1910-1920.; Pasadena (Calif.)--1900-1920.; Circus parades--California--Pasadena--1900-1920.; Circus...
- 1914
- Ogdon [sic], Utah
- Performers from the Sells Floto Circus and Buffalo Bill's Wild West Show gather around Charles Orville "Dutch" Walters in a moment of camaraderie. The men sit and stand in a field in Ogden (Weber County), Utah. Men dressed as a cowboy and...
- Buffalo Bill's Wild West Company--People--1910-1920.; Devlin's Zouaves--People--1910-1920.; Sells Floto Circus--People--1910-1920.; Ogden (Utah)--1910-1920.; Circus performers--1910-1920.; Costumes--1910-1920.; Cowboys--1910-1920.;...
- 1914
- Entrance to big top
- People crowd the entrance to a Sells Floto Circus and Buffalo Bill's Wild West Show circus big top tent. Performers in costume are in the crowd.
- Buffalo Bill's Wild West Company--People--1910-1920.; Sells Floto Circus--People--1910-1920.; Circus performers--1910-1920.; Crowds--1910-1920.; Show tents--1910-1920.
- [between 1910 and 1917?]
- Santa Cruz [graphic]
- Young men with the Devlin's Zouaves, performers in the Sells Floto Circus and Buffalo Bill's Wild West Show, pose on a cliff near the ocean in Santa Cruz (Santa Cruz County), California. The men are dressed in suits, ties and hats. A wooden fence...
- Buffalo Bill's Wild West Company--People--1910-1920.; Devlin's Zouaves--People--1910-1920.; Sells Floto Circus--People--1910-1920.; Santa Cruz (Calif.)--1910-1920.; Circus performers--California--Santa Cruz--1910-1920.; Cliffs--California--Santa...
- [between 1910 and 1917?]
- Sells Floto, Buffalo Bill Circus
- Panoramic, group portrait of members of the Sells Floto Circus and Buffalo Bill's Wild West Show, dressed in costumes and uniforms. Men, women and children performers include: clowns with face paint; North American Indians, one with a coup stick...
- Buffalo Bill's Wild West Company--People--1910-1920.; Devlin's Zouaves--People--1910-1920.; Sells Floto Circus--People--1910-1920.; Circus performers--1910-1920.; Cowboys--1910-1920.; Cowgirls--1910-1920.; Zouaves--1900-1920.; Buffalo Bill,...
- 1914
- Devlins Zouaves
- Panoramic, group portrait of members of Devlin's Zouaves, performers for the Sells Floto Circus and Buffalo Bill's Wild West Show. H. C. Devlin wears a jacket with shoulder boards, and a cap that reads "Devlin." The Zouaves hold rifles and wear...
- Buffalo Bill's Wild West Company--People--1910-1920.; Devlin's Zouaves--People--1910-1920.; Sells Floto Circus--People--1910-1920.; Circus performers--1910-1920.; Zouaves--1900-1920.; Devlin, H. C.
- 1914
- Mishawaka Inn, Bellvue, Colo.
- View of the Mishawaka Inn located at 13714 Poudre Canyon Highway, Bellvue, Colo. The inn is one of the buildings surrounding the Mishawaka amphitheater. The amphitheater's ownership has changed hands many times over the years and countless...
- Amphitheaters--Colorado--Bellvue--2000-2010.; Bellvue (Colo.)--2000-2010.; Mishawaka Amphitheatre (Bellvue, Colo.)--Pictorial works.; Amphitheaters--Colorado--Bellvue--Pictorial works.; Bellvue (Colo.)--Pictorial works.
- 2010
- Circus clowns
- Clowns pose in front of a canvas circus tent at probably the Dokey Circus in Denver, Colorado. A clown pretends to spank a clown with a straw broom. Men circus performers' costumes include: face paint, caps, knickers, a ruffled pants suit decorated...
- Dokey Circus--People--1920-1940.; Denver (Colo.)--1920-1940.; Circuses & shows--Colorado--Denver--1920-1940.; Clowns--Colorado--Denver--1920-1940.; Show tents--Colorado--Denver--1920-1940.
- [between 1927 and 1931?]
- Cheyenne Frontier Days R. R. cars
- View of a railroad car used to transport performers for Cheyenne Frontier Days at Union Station in Denver, Colorado. A banner on the car reads: "New York or Bust Bronco Busting The Biggest Vaudeville Set on Earth."
- Union Station (Denver, Colo.)--1900-1910.; Cheyenne Frontier Days--1900-1910.; Denver (Colo.)--1900-1910.; Railroad cars--Colorado--Denver--1900-1910.
- [1905]
- Display by the local Lodge of Elks, they gave regular minstrel performances along the line of march
- View of the Elks Lodge float in the Flower (Sunflower) Carnival parade, Colorado Springs, El Paso County, Colorado; shows Black men in livery, a six horse team, a band in tuxedoes, minstrel performers in powdered wigs and tricorner hats, on a...
- Elks (Fraternal Order) Lodge No. 309 (Colorado Springs, Colo.)--1890-1910.; Colorado Springs (Colo.)--1890-1910.; African Americans--Colorado--Colorado Springs--1890-1910.; Floats (Parades)--Colorado--Colorado Springs--1890-1910.; Fraternal...
- [between 1893 and 1906?]
- Confederate reunion
- View of a rodeo in Trinidad, Colorado. A cowboy wearing chaps with conchos hangs onto a bucking horse. Other cowboys are in the background, many standing, some sitting on a rail fence.
- Trinidad (Colo.)--1930-1940.; Rodeos--Colorado--Trinidad--1930-1940.
- August, 1939
- Circus
- Spectators in the stands at a circus watch elephants and performers.
- Circuses & shows--1950-1960.; Elephants--1950-1960.; Spectators--1950-1960.
- [between 1950 and 1960?]
- Pershing at the Bear Dance, Uintah Reservation, Utah, Ute Indians
- Native American Utes pose on the Uintah Valley Reservation, Utah, with General Pershing, soldiers, and wives. The Bear Dance performers wear buckskin costumes; the dance leader stands in front of the group with a whip.
- Bear dance--Utah--1880-1890.; Indians of North America--Utah--1880-1890.; Ute Indians Dance--Utah--1880-1890.; Uintah and Ouray Indian Reservation (Utah)--1880-1890.; Ceremonial dancers--Utah--1880-1890.; Pershing, John J. (John Joseph), 1860-1948.
- 1888 March 12
- Circus
- Spectators stand near a procession of donkey and horse drawn wagons with wooden cages, Sunflower (Flower) Carnival, Colorado Springs, El Paso County, Colorado. The wooden cages contain circus performers. One woman stands on the backs of a two...
- Colorado Springs (Colo.)--1890-1900.; Cages--Colorado--Colorado Springs--1890-1900.; Circus parades--Colorado--Colorado Springs--1890-1900.; Circuses & shows--Colorado--Colorado Springs--1890-1900.; Donkeys--Colorado--Colorado Springs--1890-1900.;...
- 1898
- Family of the interpreter, Frank [i.e. Franc] C. Goings
- Julia Goings, wife of Franc C. Goings, a North American Indian (Sioux) interpreter for the performers in "The Red Man", poses with her children in front of a painted backdrop of Yellowstone Falls, in the dirt arena at the Empress Hall at the Golden...
- Dakota Indians--England--London--1900-1910.; Indians of North America--England--London--1900-1910.; Earl's Court (London, England)--1900-1910.; London (England)--1900-1910.; Children--England--London--1900-1910.; Clothing &...
- 1909
- Some of the squaws
- North American Indian women (tribe unknown), performers in "The Red Man spectacle and Red Indian camp," stand in front of a painted backdrop of Yellowstone Falls, in an arena in the Empress Hall, at the Golden West and American Industries...
- Indians of North America--England--London--1900-1910.; Earl's Court (London, England)--1900-1910.; London (England)--1900-1910.; Clothing & dress--England--London--1900-1910.; Exhibitions--England--London--1900-1910.;...
- 1909
- Large group of Sioux Indians, Wild West Show
- View of a group of Native American Sioux men dressed in headdresses and wrapped in blankets with a few women and children; all performers in Cody's Wild West Show.
- Buffalo Bill's Wild West Show--People--1900-1920.; Dakota Indians--1900-1920.; Indians of North America--1900-1920.; Children--1900-1920.; Clothing & dress--1900-1920.; Women--1900-1920.
- [between 1900 and 1920?]
- Famous Sioux Indian and his two children, Wild West Show
- View of a Native American Sioux man holding baskets posed with his two children; performers in Cody's Wild West Show.
- Buffalo Bill's Wild West Show--People--1900-1920.; Dakota Indians--1900-1920.; Indians of North America--1900-1920.; Children--1900-1920.
- [between 1900 and 1920?]
- Charles Stratton and Livinia Warren
- Portrait of midget performers Charles Stratton (General Tom Thumb) and Livinia Warren.
- Midgets--1870-1880.; Dwarfs--1870-1880.; Human curiosities--1870-1880.; Spouses--1870-1880.; Magri, M. Lavinia (Mercy Lavinia), 1841-1919.; Thumb, Tom, 1838-1883.
- [between 1870 and 1880?]
- Indian Chiefs
- Native American (Sioux) men; Rocky Bear, Black Fox, Kills in Winter, Flat iron (medicine man), Bear Foot, Lone Bear, and Poor Elk, performers in Buffalo Bill's Wild West Show, pose outdoors with white men. The Sioux men hold spears and painted...
- Buffalo Bill's Wild West Show--1890-1900.; Dakota Indians--1890-1900.; Indians of North America--1890-1900.; Clothing & dress--1890-1900.; Tribal chiefs--1890-1900.
- 1896
- Al Jolson and Company in Big Boy Denver, Colo.
- Racehorses, men and women, African American performers and white cast members of "Big Boy" pose in a panoramic photograph in front of the Broadway Theater at 1756 Broadway in Denver, Colorado. Al Jolson sits on a racehorse at the edge of the group....
- Broadway Theater (Denver, Colo.)--People--1920-1930.; African Americans--Colorado--Denver--1920-1930.; Denver (Colo.)--1920-1930.; Actors--Colorado--Denver--1920-1930.; Horseback riding--Colorado--Denver--1920-1930.;...
- 1927, May 16
- His Name on the Door
- Men and a woman pose on a stage for a production of "His Name on the Door" in probably Colorado; stage features a desk, telephone, newspaper rack, portrait of Lincoln, and sign: "Library." The performers are (L to R) Jerome Storm, George Gaston,...
- Actors--Colorado--1900-1910.; Interiors--Colorado--1900-1910.; Theaters--Colorado--1900-1910.; Gaston, George.; Hale, Louise Closser, 1872-1933.; Lee, Ralph, actor.; Storm, Jerome.
- 1909-1910
- His Name on the Door
- Men and women pose on a stage for a production of "His Name on the Door" in (probably) Colorado; stage features desks, telephone, newspaper rack, portrait of Lincoln, a water cooler, and signs: "Mr. Brent," and "Library." The performers are (L to...
- Actors--Colorado--1900-1910.; Interiors--Colorado--1900-1910.; Theaters--Colorado--1900-1910.; Caldara, Orme.; Clayton, Ethel, 1884-1966.; Gaston, George.; Goodwin, J. H.; Green, Walter D.; Lee, Ralph, actor.; Sheridan, Frank.; Stone, Mason.;...
- 1909-1910
- Cowgirls from "The Red Man"
- Jane Bernoudy, Lillian Bergerhoff and Lucille Pease, cowgirl performers in the "The Red Man spectacle and Red Indian camp," pose in a dirt arena in front of a painted backdrop in Empress Hall, at the Golden West and American Industries Exhibition...
- Earl's Court (London, England)--1900-1910.; London (England)--1900-1910.; Clothing & dress--England--London--1900-1910.; Cowgirls--England--London--1900-1910.; Exhibitions--England--London--1900-1910.; Bernoudy, Jane.; Lillian Bergerhoff.; Pease,...
- 1909
- Festival of Mountain and Plain
- People crowd an outdoor arena in the Civic Center neighborhood of Denver, Colorado, during the Festival of Mountain and Plain; horse drawn wagons and performers are by a stage with a gazebo and bunting. The First Presbyterian Church, Colorado State...
- Colorado State Capitol (Denver, Colo.)--1900-1910.; Festival of Mountain and Plain (Denver, Colo.)--1900-1910.; Civic Center (Denver, Colo.)--1900-1910.; Denver (Colo.)--1900-1910.; Festivals--Colorado--Denver--1900-1910.;...
- [between 1900 and 1910?]
- Wild West Show cast members
- Group portrait of Buffalo Bill Wild West Show performers; a fat man sits on a box, he wears a suit and a duster hat and holds a cane.
- Human curiosities--1890-1910.; Men--1890-1910.; Obesity--1890-1910.; Buffalo Bill's Wild West Show.
- [between 1890 and 1910?]
- Gen. Tom. Thumb and Wife
- Portrait of midget performers Charles Stratton (General Tom Thumb) and Lavinia Warren. He wears a tuxedo; she wears a dress with lace, a train, and a corset.
- Midgets--1870-1890.; Dwarfs--1870-1890.; Human curiosities--1870-1890.; Spouses--1870-1890.; Magri, M. Lavinia (Mercy Lavinia), 1841-1919.; Thumb, Tom, 1838-1883.
- [between 1870 and 1890?]
- Group - a few unidentified white men with many Dakota Indians
- Group of Native American performers and others in Buffalo Bill's Wild West Show taken in Madison Square Garden, New York; includes Red Cloud and American Horse, Dakota Chiefs, center seated between a female, and a Native American child.
- Dakota Indians--1890-1900.; Indians of North America--1890-1900.; Wild West shows--1890-1900.; Entertainers--1890-1900.; American Horse, Dakota Chief, 1840-1908.; Red Cloud, 1822-1909.
- [1897 or 1898]
- Group - similar view
- Group of Native American performers and others at Buffalo Bill's Wild West Show taken in Madison Square Garden, New York; includes Red Cloud and American Horse, Dakota Chiefs, center seated between a woman, and a Native American child.
- Dakota Indians--1890-1900.; Indians of North America--1890-1900.; Wild West shows--1890-1900.; Entertainers--1890-1900.; American Horse, Dakota Chief, 1840-1908.; Red Cloud, 1822-1909.
- [1897 or 1898]
- Brunswick saloon
- Looking southwest from corner of South Spruce and East Colorado Avenue to exterior of Brunswick saloon, and into red-light district, Telluride, Colorado. Group of variety-theater performers (men in suits and hats, women and small girl in dresses),...
- Telluride (Colo.)--1900-1910.; Bars--Colorado--Telluride--1900-1910.; Historic sites--Colorado--Telluride--1900-1910.; Streets--Colorado--Telluride--1900-1910.
- [between 1900 and 1910?]
- The New Colorado House
- Exterior view of the New Colorado House, Telluride, Colorado. A group of performers (in the melodrama at the Brunswick Saloon Variety Theater) pose on the boardwalk in front of entry including three men in suits and ties, three women in long...
- Telluride (Colo.)--1890-1900.; Hotels--Colorado--Telluride--1890-1900.; New Colorado House (Telluride, Colo.)
- 1899
- May Lillie and Pawnee Bill
- May Manning Lillie leans against Gordon "Pawnee Bill" Lillie's shoulder in a full-length, studio portrait of the two performers in Buffalo Bill's Wild West Show. May Lillie wears a knee-length skirt with a large sash tied around her waist. She...
- Wild west shows--1880-1920.; Buffalo Bill, 1846-1917.; Pawnee Bill, 1860-1942.; Lillie, May Manning.; Buffalo Bill's Wild West Show.
- [between 1886 and 1900?]
- Group in front of German castle
- William Frederick "Buffalo Bill" Cody poses with a group of Native Americans and other performers in front of a castle in Heidelberg, Germany, while touring with Buffalo Bill's Wild West Show. Several of the Native American men wear feather...
- Indians of North America--Clothing & dress--Germany--Heidelberg--1890-1900.; Wild west shows--Germany--Heidelberg--1890-1900.; Buffalo Bill, 1846-1917.; Ma Whitaker.; Buffalo Bill's Wild West Show.
- [1890?]
- Syrians
- Ten Syrian performers forms a three-tiered pyramid supported by one man during a performance of Buffalo Bill's Wild West Show. The men wear turbans on their heads. A young man stands at the top of the pyramid holding his right hand in the air and...
- Syrians--1890-1900.; Wild west shows--1880-1920.; Acrobats--1890-1900.; Buffalo Bill, 1846-1917.; Buffalo Bill's Wild West Show.
- 1899
- Riff Arabians
- An Arab acrobat in Buffalo Bill's Wild West Show flips in the air during a performance of the show. Several additional performers stand in the background watching the young man flip. Another man stands on a platform in the left background. He wears...
- Arabs--Clothing & dress--1900-1910.; Wild west shows--1880-1920.; Acrobats--1900-1910.; Buffalo Bill, 1846-1917.; Buffalo Bill's Wild West Show.
- [1901?]
- Estes Park public show, Indian actor Cochise flanked by Ogalala Sioux Indians and adoring fans
- Syrian American actor Michael Ansara, "Cochise" from the TV series "Broken Arrow," dressed as a North American Indian and with long hair, leather leggings, moccasins, a headband, and a bowie knife, stands beside a woman, possibly opera singer Mija...
- Roundup Riders of the Rockies (Colo.)--People--1950-1960.; Indians of North America--Performances & portrayals--1950-1960.; Indians of North America--1950-1960.; Syrian Americans--1950-1960.; Estes Park (Colo.)--1950-1960.; Actors--Colorado--Estes...
- 1958 July
- Life on Capitol Hill: A Fair on the Hill