Arthur Bros Circus Parade Horse Lion Wagon Louisville KY 1967 Photo 8 x 5

In July 1967, Louisville photographer Bill Rhodes documented the Arthur Bros Circus street parade in Louisville, Kentucky, capturing an ornate lion cage wagon pulled by draft horses during the promotional procession.

Arthur Brothers Circus traveled through towns across the Midwest and South during the mid twentieth century, maintaining the long-standing circus tradition of public street parades announcing the arrival of the show. These parades displayed decorated wagons, animal cages, performers, and mounted escorts moving through downtown streets before performances began under the big top.

The photograph shows a richly decorated barred animal cage wagon numbered 65, pulled by a team of draft horses with two drivers seated high on the wagon seat controlling the long reins. A mounted circus escort rides ahead while spectators line the parade route behind rope barriers. The wagon’s elaborate carved panels and curved iron bars frame the cage compartments typical of circus menagerie wagons used to transport big cats during parade exhibitions. Large circus tents and equipment appear behind the fence line in the background, indicating the route passes near the showgrounds. A stamp on the reverse identifies the image as an Original Photo by Bill Rhodes of Louisville, Kentucky, dated Jul 67, with a reproduction prohibition notice.

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