Description: Advertisement for a performance of "Professor Morris's Equine and Canine Paradox" to take place at Schultz's Opera House in Zanesville, Ohio, January 12-15. This type of animal act which came to be known as a "dog and pony show" is believed to have been originated by Morris around 1883, although the format began to spread over the following years. View on Ohio Memory.
Image ID: MSS559_B13F22_003
Subjects: Arts and entertainment; Cultural Ohio--Popular Culture; Circus acts; Traveling shows; Dogs; Horses
Places: Zanesville (Ohio); Muskingum County (Ohio)
 

Description: The banner is comprised of rectangular panels of red, white and blue cotton stitched together. The banner is stamped "2 1/2 x 4" and has brass grommets and white cotton twill on one side. The banner was displayed on showboats and dates from around 1930. The dimensions are 120 cm by 70 cm. It was possible flown on the Eisenbarth showboats. Mrs. E. E. Eisenbarth of Marietta, Ohio, donated this banner to the Ohio Historical Society in 1986. View on Ohio Memory.
Image ID: H59975_001
Subjects: Cultural Ohio--Popular Culture; Ohio River; Traveling shows; Theater--Ohio
Places: Ohio
 

Description: This rectangular banner is printed with stripes of red, white and blue. The red and blue stripes are printed with white stars. This banner was displayed on showboats and dates from around 1930. The dimensions are 160 cm by 53 cm. The banner was probably flown on the Eisenbarth showboats. Mrs. E. E. Eisenbarth of Marietta, Ohio, donated this banner to the Ohio Historical Society in 1986. View on Ohio Memory.
Image ID: H59981_001
Subjects: Cultural Ohio--Popular Culture; Ohio River; Theater--Ohio; Traveling shows
Places: Ohio
 

Description: This banner is comprised of rectangular panels of red, yellow and black cotton stitched together. The banner is stamped "2 1/2 x 4" and has brass grommets and white cotton twill on one side. The banner was displayed on showboats and dates from around 1930. The dimensions are 120 cm by 70 cm. This banner was possibly flown on the Eisenbarth showboats. Mrs. E. E. Eisenbarth of Marietta, Ohio, donated this banner to the Ohio Historical Society in 1986. View on Ohio Memory.
Image ID: H59977_001
Subjects: Cultural Ohio--Popular Culture; Ohio River; Traveling shows; Theater--Ohio; Showboats
Places: Ohio
 

Description: This rectangular banner is printed with a stripe of red, white and blue. The white stripe is printed with red and blue stars. The blue and red stripes are printed with white stars. This banner was displayed on showboats and dates from around 1930. The dimensions are 160 cm by 53 cm. It was probably flown on the Eisenbarth showboats. Mrs. E. E. Eisenbarth of Marietta, Ohio, donated this banner to the Ohio Historical Society in 1986. View on Ohio Memory.
Image ID: H59980_001
Subjects: Cultural Ohio--Popular Culture; Ohio River; Theater--Ohio; Traveling shows; Showboats
Places: Ohio
 

Description: This banner has a central red stripe that is flanked by white and blue stripes on either side. The banner is stamped "2 1/2 x 4" and has brass grommets and white cotton twill on one side. The banner was displayed on showboats and dates from around 1930. The dimensions are 120 cm by 70 cm. This banner was possibly used on the Eisenbarth showboats. Mrs. E. E. Eisenbarth of Marietta, Ohio, donated this banner to the Ohio Historical Society in 1986. View on Ohio Memory.
Image ID: H59936_001
Subjects: Cultural Ohio--Popular Culture; Showboats; Ohio River; Traveling shows; Theater--Ohio
Places: Ohio
 

Description: Article from "The Waterways Journal" (September 8, 1962) in which Ignace McCurdy (nee Eisenbarth, daughter of E.E. and Julia Ann Eisenbarth) recounts her youth with her father's Eisenbarth-Henderson Floating Theatre. Ellsworth Eugene Eisenbarth was born October 22, 1864, in Ironton, Ohio. The family later moved to Wetzel County, West Virginia. By 1889, Eisenbarth was traveling the mid-Atlantic states in "The Oregon Indian Medicine Show," which featured such entertainment as real cowboys and “Indians.” He next bought a floating store, which he refitted as a showboat and christened "The Eisenbarth Wild West & Floating Opera." The endeavor lasted from 1891 to 1895. By the late 1890s, Eisenbarth and his wife Julia had founded "The Eisenbarth & Henderson Mammoth and Combined Uncle Tom’s Cabin Company," complete with calliope, band and orchestra, which also traveled throughout the middle states by rail. In February of 1900, E.E. and Julia converted a glass barge named the E.V. Poke No. 2 into "The Eisenbarth-Henderson Floating Theatre, Temple of Amusement." This showboat and its successor ("The Eisenbarth-Henderson Floating Theatre-The New Great Modern Temple of Amusement")were devoted to bringing Shakespearean plays and other dramas, such as “Human Hearts” to the waterways. Eisenbarth also worked with a traveling company of players, perhaps to remain off the rivers during the winter months. The Temple cleared more money than almost any other boat on the Ohio River, even though it only played four nights a week and never on Sunday. Julia Eisenbarth died sometime after, and E.E. remarried in 1908 to Jennie Salina Brown. In 1909, he presented his last show on a riverboat, “The Castle.” He sold The Temple showboat to the Needham-Steiner Amusement Company that year, and although he made bids on other boats, these proved unsuccessful and The Temple ended up being his last showboat. View on Ohio Memory.
Image ID: Page1
Subjects: Cultural Ohio--Popular Culture; Showboats; Ohio River; Traveling shows; Theater--Ohio
Places: Ohio River; Marietta (Ohio); Washington County (Ohio)
 

Description: Portrait of Captain E.E. Eisenbarth, from a nitrate negative. Ellsworth Eugene Eisenbarth was born October 22, 1864, in Ironton, Ohio. The family later moved to Wetzel County, West Virginia. By 1889, Eisenbarth was traveling the mid-Atlantic states in "The Oregon Indian Medicine Show," which featured such entertainment as real cowboys and “Indians.” He next bought a floating store, which he refitted as a showboat and christened "The Eisenbarth Wild West & Floating Opera." The endeavor lasted from 1891 to 1895. By the late 1890s, Eisenbarth and his wife Julia had founded "The Eisenbarth & Henderson Mammoth and Combined Uncle Tom’s Cabin Company," complete with calliope, band and orchestra, which also traveled throughout the middle states by rail. In February of 1900, E.E. and Julia converted a glass barge named the E.V. Poke No. 2 into "The Eisenbarth-Henderson Floating Theatre, Temple of Amusement." This showboat and its successor ("The Eisenbarth-Henderson Floating Theatre-The New Great Modern Temple of Amusement")were devoted to bringing Shakespearean plays and other dramas, such as “Human Hearts” to the waterways. Eisenbarth also worked with a traveling company of players, perhaps to remain off the rivers during the winter months. The Temple cleared more money than almost any other boat on the Ohio River, even though it only played four nights a week and never on Sunday. Julia Eisenbarth died sometime after, and E.E. remarried in 1908 to Jennie Salina Brown. In 1909, he presented his last show on a riverboat, “The Castle.” He sold The Temple showboat to the Needham-Steiner Amusement Company that year, and although he made bids on other boats, these proved unsuccessful and The Temple ended up being his last showboat. View on Ohio Memory.
Image ID: MSS930AV_01
Subjects: Cultural Ohio--Popular Culture; Showboats; Ohio River; Traveling shows; Theater--Ohio
Places: Ohio River; Marietta (Ohio); Washington County (Ohio)
 

Description: Portrait of Julia Ann (Henderson) Eisenbarth, wife of E.E. Eisenbarth, of Sisterville, West Virginia. Ellsworth Eugene Eisenbarth was born October 22, 1864, in Ironton, Ohio. The family later moved to Wetzel County, West Virginia. By 1889, Eisenbarth was traveling the mid-Atlantic states in "The Oregon Indian Medicine Show," which featured such entertainment as real cowboys and “Indians.” He next bought a floating store, which he refitted as a showboat and christened "The Eisenbarth Wild West & Floating Opera." The endeavor lasted from 1891 to 1895. By the late 1890s, Eisenbarth and his wife Julia had founded "The Eisenbarth & Henderson Mammoth and Combined Uncle Tom’s Cabin Company," complete with calliope, band and orchestra, which also traveled throughout the middle states by rail. In February of 1900, E.E. and Julia converted a glass barge named the E.V. Poke No. 2 into "The Eisenbarth-Henderson Floating Theatre, Temple of Amusement." This showboat and its successor ("The Eisenbarth-Henderson Floating Theatre-The New Great Modern Temple of Amusement")were devoted to bringing Shakespearean plays and other dramas, such as “Human Hearts” to the waterways. Eisenbarth also worked with a traveling company of players, perhaps to remain off the rivers during the winter months. The Temple cleared more money than almost any other boat on the Ohio River, even though it only played four nights a week and never on Sunday. Julia Eisenbarth died sometime after, and E.E. remarried in 1908 to Jennie Salina Brown. In 1909, he presented his last show on a riverboat, “The Castle.” He sold The Temple showboat to the Needham-Steiner Amusement Company that year, and although he made bids on other boats, these proved unsuccessful and The Temple ended up being his last showboat. View on Ohio Memory.
Image ID: MSS930AV_02
Subjects: Cultural Ohio--Popular Culture; Showboats; Ohio River; Traveling shows; Theater--Ohio
Places: Ohio River; Marietta (Ohio); Washington County (Ohio)
 

Description: Advertisement for "The Great Eisenbarth-Henderson Floating Theatre," touting its seating capacity and performances of vaudeville and a drama based on the eruption of Mt. Vesuvius. Ellsworth Eugene Eisenbarth was born October 22, 1864, in Ironton, Ohio. The family later moved to Wetzel County, West Virginia. By 1889, Eisenbarth was traveling the mid-Atlantic states in "The Oregon Indian Medicine Show," which featured such entertainment as real cowboys and “Indians.” He next bought a floating store, which he refitted as a showboat and christened "The Eisenbarth Wild West & Floating Opera." The endeavor lasted from 1891 to 1895. By the late 1890s, Eisenbarth and his wife Julia had founded "The Eisenbarth & Henderson Mammoth and Combined Uncle Tom’s Cabin Company," complete with calliope, band and orchestra, which also traveled throughout the middle states by rail. In February of 1900, E.E. and Julia converted a glass barge named the E.V. Poke No. 2 into "The Eisenbarth-Henderson Floating Theatre, Temple of Amusement." This showboat and its successor ("The Eisenbarth-Henderson Floating Theatre-The New Great Modern Temple of Amusement")were devoted to bringing Shakespearean plays and other dramas, such as “Human Hearts” to the waterways. Eisenbarth also worked with a traveling company of players, perhaps to remain off the rivers during the winter months. The Temple cleared more money than almost any other boat on the Ohio River, even though it only played four nights a week and never on Sunday. Julia Eisenbarth died sometime after, and E.E. remarried in 1908 to Jennie Salina Brown. In 1909, he presented his last show on a riverboat, “The Castle.” He sold The Temple showboat to the Needham-Steiner Amusement Company that year, and although he made bids on other boats, these proved unsuccessful and The Temple ended up being his last showboat. View on Ohio Memory.
Image ID: MSS930AV_B03F1_01_01
Subjects: Cultural Ohio--Popular Culture; Showboats; Ohio River; Traveling shows; Theater--Ohio; Posters; Advertisements;
Places: Ohio River; Marietta (Ohio); Washington County (Ohio)
 

Description: Advertisement for "The Great Eisenbarth-Henderson Floating Theatre," touting its "two separate and distinct stages" and performances of vaudeville and a drama based on the eruption of Mt. Vesuvius. General admission is advertised as 25 cents, with reserved seats at 35-50 cents. Ellsworth Eugene Eisenbarth was born October 22, 1864, in Ironton, Ohio. The family later moved to Wetzel County, West Virginia. By 1889, Eisenbarth was traveling the mid-Atlantic states in "The Oregon Indian Medicine Show," which featured such entertainment as real cowboys and “Indians.” He next bought a floating store, which he refitted as a showboat and christened "The Eisenbarth Wild West & Floating Opera." The endeavor lasted from 1891 to 1895. By the late 1890s, Eisenbarth and his wife Julia had founded "The Eisenbarth & Henderson Mammoth and Combined Uncle Tom’s Cabin Company," complete with calliope, band and orchestra, which also traveled throughout the middle states by rail. In February of 1900, E.E. View on Ohio Memory.
Image ID: MSS930AV_B03F1_01_02
Subjects: Cultural Ohio--Popular Culture; Showboats; Ohio River; Traveling shows; Theater--Ohio; Posters; Advertisements;
Places: Ohio River; Marietta (Ohio); Washington County (Ohio)
 

Description: Advertisement for "The New Eisenbarth-Henderson Floating Theatre," announcing its double show of vaudeville and a comedy-drama called "Her Fatal Step." General admission is 25 cents. Ellsworth Eugene Eisenbarth was born October 22, 1864, in Ironton, Ohio. The family later moved to Wetzel County, West Virginia. By 1889, Eisenbarth was traveling the mid-Atlantic states in "The Oregon Indian Medicine Show," which featured such entertainment as real cowboys and “Indians.” He next bought a floating store, which he refitted as a showboat and christened "The Eisenbarth Wild West & Floating Opera." The endeavor lasted from 1891 to 1895. By the late 1890s, Eisenbarth and his wife Julia had founded "The Eisenbarth & Henderson Mammoth and Combined Uncle Tom’s Cabin Company," complete with calliope, band and orchestra, which also traveled throughout the middle states by rail. In February of 1900, E.E. and Julia converted a glass barge named the E.V. Poke No. 2 into "The Eisenbarth-Henderson Floating Theatre, Temple of Amusement." This showboat and its successor ("The Eisenbarth-Henderson Floating Theatre-The New Great Modern Temple of Amusement")were devoted to bringing Shakespearean plays and other dramas, such as “Human Hearts” to the waterways. Eisenbarth also worked with a traveling company of players, perhaps to remain off the rivers during the winter months. The Temple cleared more money than almost any other boat on the Ohio River, even though it only played four nights a week and never on Sunday. Julia Eisenbarth died sometime after, and E.E. remarried in 1908 to Jennie Salina Brown. In 1909, he presented his last show on a riverboat, “The Castle.” He sold The Temple showboat to the Needham-Steiner Amusement Company that year, and although he made bids on other boats, these proved unsuccessful and The Temple ended up being his last showboat. View on Ohio Memory.
Image ID: MSS930AV_B03F03_01_02
Subjects: Cultural Ohio--Popular Culture; Showboats; Ohio River; Traveling shows; Theater--Ohio; Posters; Advertisements;
Places: Ohio River; Marietta (Ohio); Washington County (Ohio)