Jimmy parades down a street in Havana, Cuba with the Gran Circo Santos y Artigas in 1948. He is riding Freida, his favorite elephant. Image used with permission of Lona Elliott and Julie Strally.
FROM THE LATEST ISSUE OF BANDWAGON
Get a glimpse into the personal photo album of acclaimed circus owner, James M. Cole. Author, Mike Straka, selected twenty-five never before seen photos from 1928 – 1948 that illustrate Jimmy Cole’s days working on, owning, and attending circuses.
James M. Cole Photo Album – Found!
By Mike Straka
Volume 70 • Number 2 • 2026
After many years searching, I have been allowed to enter a Victorian mansion in Penn Yan, New York. I climb the wooden steps in the attic and note that the air is filled with age and silence. The dust is so thick that it almost sedimentary in nature. I spot the old streamer trunk with the faded lettering—Cole Circus. I kneel to force open the lid but, it opens too easily. In front of me is the prize I seek—a photo album.
This is how we all imagine it happens.
The reality was the album was handed to me in a diner by Lona Elliott and Julie Strally, grandchildren of the famous circus owner, Jimmy Cole. They graciously allowed me to copy and publish Jimmy’s personal photos, which made this article possible. The previous year I had completed a book on the famous showman from Penn Yan. Lona and Julie attended one of my book talks and we struck up a friendship. They had provided me with one photo for the book. Little did I know that they held the family scrapbook filled with over 200 photos.
I have selected twenty-five photos, which I believe have not been seen by the circus community.
They span a period from 1928 – 1948 and illustrate Jimmy Cole’s days working on, owning, and attending circuses.
The complete article is available to members of the Circus Historical Society through the members-only Backyard.