In 1950, Norma Davenport, daughter of Ben Davebport the owner of the Dailey Bros. Circus, married Pete Cristiani. As a wedding gift Davenport gave the couple 5 performing elephants. Pete and Norma joined the rest of the Cristiani family who were working with the King Bros. Circus owned by showman Floyd King. The Cristianis then joined forces with King and the "King Bros. and Cristiani Circus" was born.
Lucio Cristiani and Floyd King managed the circus, Pete served as concession manager, Ernesto and Oscar Cristiani general superintendents, Mugador Cristiani handled ticket sales, Belmonte Cristiani was the boss canvasman and Arnold Maley secretary and treasurer.
The circus showed in the eastern United States and into Canada 1950 until 1952. In 1953 the Cristiani family took their own Cristiani Bros. Circus. Floyd King formed a partnership with Arnold Maley, and reverted to the King Bros Circus titled. |
