The circus, the delight of the small boy and of his sire in many instances, if the truth be known, has struck Lewiston in the form of Barnum & Bailey’s, apostrophised as the greatest show on earth and located for their stay on the circus lot at Skinner street. The calvacade of all that is strange and wonderful pulled in from Portland where the show played to two immense houses Saturday.

Following fast on the heels of the first approach came the other three divisions of the circus, 87 cars being required for their transportation together with their baggage.

The main tent, the largest in the business, is 400 feet long by 200 feet wide and 60 feet high, included three mammoth rings, and has a seating capacity of 15,000.

50 Years Ago, 1956

PITTSBURGH – Ringling Bros. Barnum & Bailey Circus, America’s “greatest show on Earth,” today called an end to its circus tour which for years has thrilled millions of youngsters and grownups in nearly every corner of the land.

John Ringling North, said the circus was folding its mammoth tent for the last time tonight after a performance at nearby Heidelberg race track.

“The tented circus as it now exists is, in my opinion, a thing of the past,” North said. “We are considering plans for the future which may involve an almost completely mechanically controlled exhibition.” North emphasized the circus will continue, in different form.

25 Years Ago, 1981

Richard J. Potvin III, owner of Century 21 Guilmette Realty Co. of Auburn, has purchased the former Seltzer & Rydholm building at 250 Minot Ave. in Auburn. The building which contains 30,000 square feet of executive office and warehouse space, is to be leased. Potvin said Wednesday that he will develop the building and make it available to businesses and professional firms. Constructed in 1936, the building was the home of the Seltzer & Rydholm Bottling Co. for 43 years. The company built a larger facility on Merrow Road in Auburn and relocated there in 1979.