Postcards: Four postcards "Barnum and Bailey's Winter Quarters, Bridgeport, Conn."

Four postcards featuring views of the Barnum and Bailey Greatest Show on Earth Winter Quarters in Bridgeport, Conn. T he first postcard is black and white and has the words Barnum and Bailey's Winter Quarters, Bridgeport, Conn. written in red at the top. In the lower left corner are the railroad tracks that ran along the Winter Quarters, with several individuals dotted along. The mid-ground of the images shows various wagons, including cage wagons for animals. On the right hand side of the image are several buildings, including one with readable text on it. They clearly state Headquarters Barnum and Bailey Greatest Show on Earth. The back of the postcard features red ink indicating the location the stamp should go, as well as where to write a message and where to place the address. Made in Germany. The second post card in the set features a white stripe at the bottom of the postcard that reads Barnum and Baily's Winter Quarters, Bridgeport, Conn. It is colored and primarily features the rail yard at the Winter Quarters, with various rail cars visible and the buildings of the quarters in the background. Three individuals look through the fence at the complex in the lower right corner. On the back is red ink that includes where to place the stamp and the address. Penciled text indicates the previous holding area of this postcard by the Bridgeport Public Library system. Made in Germany. The third postcard in the set is a colored version of the first postcard and has the words Barnum and Bailey's Winter Quarters, Bridgeport, Conn. written in white at the bottom. In the lower left corner are the railroad tracks that ran along the Winter Quarters, with several individuals dotted along. The mid-ground of the images shows various wagons, including cage wagons for animals. On the right hand side of the image are several buildings, including one with readable text on it. They clearly state Headquarters Barnum and Bailey Greatest Show on Earth. On the back is information about where to place the address and message, and it is postmarked October 1, 1909 from Bridgeport, Conn. A message is written to a Miss E.A. Gebringer. No printer named. Fourth and final in the set is another view of the rail yard at the Winter Quarters. In color, this image features various circus wagons on rail cars, either being loaded or unloaded. Buildings appear in the back. At the bottom of the image it reads Bridgeport, Conn. Winter Quarters of the Barnum and Bailey Circus. A written note to Mable from Edward is also on the front. On the back is a postmark for November , 19[?]5, and the address for Miss Mabel Haas in Meriden Conn. Printed by H.H. Jackson, made in Germany. The winter quarters for the various Barnum named circuses were housed in Bridgeport, CT, with permanent buildings being put up in 1880s. The five acres of land provided storage for railroad cars, steam heated rooms for animals, wagons, tents, prop fabrication, and a stable. The location of the Winter Quarters was also a boon for the local Bridgeport economy, thanks to the demands and the number of people involved. The Winter Quarters suffered two fires: one on 20 November, 1887 after which the quarters were rebuilt, and again in 1924 after which the complex was abandoned.