Event Photos

St. Rose Stories

CARNIVAL IN ST. ROSE NEIGHBORHOOD – 1903, 1904

(In the early 1900’s the 2 blocks of land between 10^th Street and College Avenue on the east side of the St. Rose Historic District were still undeveloped. The land was owned by the Cooper family who lived in a house at the corner of 10^th and B Streets. Large open tracts of land being a rarity some 35 years after Santa Rosa was established, it came in handy when traveling carnivals came through town.)

Dare Devil Diavolo poster

Nat Reiss, Proprietor Southern Carnival Co.’s Shows

Eagles Carnival – 1903

Under the auspices of the fraternal Order of Eagles, a street carnival was held from March 9^th to 14^th, the concessions under tent tops on Tenth and Lincoln extending to Washington Street the property now occupied by the Dugan and adjoining homes.

This was not an authorized rose carnival, but took on the atmosphere of one with a queen and her court and linking ceremonies. Lorraine Bradlee, the baby daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Adelbert Bradlee, (now Mrs. Edward M. Donegan of San Francisco), was in the role of royalty. Orlow Webber was selected King Rex, but declined the honor.

Queen Lorraine’s attendants were Gladys Berry Mrs. Leroy Ripley, Esther Scott, (Mrs. Charles Hammond, Los Angles), Hazel Barnett, Edith Malory (Mrs. Benj. Kettlewell, St. Helena); Lucile Griffith and Zelma McDonough (Mrs. R. Giles, Berkeley). Elaine Wymore (Mrs. George Green) bore the crown on a silk cushion in the coronation precession while Earl Wymore, Wesley Colgan, Carrol Dunn and Frank Berry were pages. Rose Carnivals of Santa Rosa in Review, 1894-1932 by Lillian Burger Slater

CARNIVAL AND JUBILEE OPENS IN THIS CITY MONDAY NIGHT – 1904

The Merchants Eagles’ Carnival will open in this city tomorrow night on the large lot at Tenth and B streets. The special train carrying’ the carnival attractions will arrive here today from Stockton. The opening of the carnival will occur tomorrow night after the arrival of the parade, which will leave Eagles’ hall at seven o’clock or as soon thereafter as feasible. The Eagles will participate in the parade and in line there will be the two carnival bands, the clever people who will participate and other carnival features. From start to finish the carnival management promises that the people of this city and vicinity shall be well entertained and the press reports from many of the leading cities of this and other sections speak highly of the varied program of entertainment the many shows offer. According to a notice handed in at this office last night, prominent, members of the Aerie of Eagles are to star in the opening night. For instance, Frank Brown and Teddy Lohse are down to ride a tandem in the act of “looping the loop” to set the pace for the Diavola, believing that the tandem wheel is more thrilling than the single one. W. J. Edgeworth will give the “slide for life” and will hang on by his teeth, Mike Baker is to sing his favorite song, and dance. John Joost will participate in the bill presented and there are others. Nat Reiss is the owner and proprietor of the Southern Carnival Company shows. Press Democrat 10 July 1904

CARNIVAL PROVING A GREAT SUCCESS OVER TWO THOUSAND PEOPLE VISITED THE GROUNDS AND SAW THE ATTRACTIONS People Pronounce Shows Excellent and Are Well Pleased —This Afternoon and Tonight’s Fun

The Merchants Eagles’ Carnival is proving the biggest kind of a success. Yesterday afternoon was “Children’s Day’’ and considerably over a thousand children passed through the entrance gates. The children enjoyed themselves to their heart’s content. On account of the nature of the excellent attractions they could see them all and be well entertained. Then again last night there was an immense throng of people at the carnival and the shows were well patronized and everybody was pleased. Despite the fact that Santa Rosa is the smallest city the carnival of shows has visited the people of the city and vicinity are rallying around something that they appreciate as good, and as promised by the advance notices. Of course, “Dare Devil Diavolo*” and his wonderful feat of looping the loop is the main attraction for the carnival patrons. People who have seen the feat once are seeing It again, and afternoon and evening this week it is easy to predict that the stadium will be crowded. The free shows are an immense attraction and the air is rent with applause as the Gilmore family, trapezists, swung through the air high above the heads of the assembled multitude and did their thrilling acts. The same with Dubell. A slight accident marred one of the performances in the “Wonderland” show in the afternoon, which is, by the way, a very clever attraction, by the principal young lady actor in the program taking a tumble to the ground. She fell quite heavily, but while her fall was alarming she was not hurt and was able to work in the evening. The “mirror maze” furnishes lots of fun and as for the “crazy house,” the laughter emanating from the tent is contagious. The deep-sea diving, next to the stadium, is drawing the crowds, although all the shows are well worth the large houses they are getting. Thursday evening will be another “Eagles’ night” and the members of the order will march from Eagles’ hall to the grounds, leaving the hall at half past seven o’clock. The carnival attractions, as already stated, are of a high order and visitors are surprised at the amount they get for their money and the excellence of the entertainment. The carnival will he open as usual this afternoon and tonight. Press Democrat, Number 164, 13 July 1904