The Formative Years with Founder James E. Strates

During the 1940s and 1950s, James E. Strates developed his carnival to be the finest possible and became recognized as a leader in the industry. This article, the fourth in a series of five, examines the progression of the James E. Strates Shows as it continued to grow under the direction of its founder, James. E. Strates.

1945

The James E. Strates Shows received a staggering "Christmas Present" on December 22 in Mullins, South Carolina when a fire destroyed the entire carnival with the exception of the train, which was stored three blocks away. At the time, Strates' decision to rebuild his traveling carnival represented perhaps the most expensive venture of its kind, estimated at $400,000.

1946

Only 3-1/2 short months after the disastrous fire, the James E. Strates Shows was rebuilt, with the help of the City and the citizens of Mullins, South Carolina and show agents scouring the country from coast to coast buying rides, trucks, lumber, generating units, and anything else they needed. Strates was able to rebuild and maintain his fair commitments that year. The makeshift pieces of equipment bought hurriedly at war-inflated prices were soon replaced and modernized. By the end of the season, the Strates Shows had grown immensely. It now consisted of 20 side shows, 21 rides & army surplus anti-aircraft searchlights to promote the show.

1948

"When you have good attractions, you are bound to do business. The business is going to have to reach out and invest in worthwhile shows," said Strates. He put this theory to work when he featured a number of new shows, including one of the great burlesque shows that were so popular in that time. Georgia Southern, one of the nation's top burlesque performers and the star of many Broadway hits, performed a daily revue called "A Night on Broadway". Strates received top industry recognition when he was elected president of the National Showmen's Association. He was also a key figure in the American Carnival Association and supporter of its public relations activities.

1953

At this point, the James E. Strates Shows was the fourth largest carnival midway in the nation. There were about 300 employees traveling with the show at this time, and a major ride cost approximately $50,000 as compared to today's prices that average between $500,000 and $1,000,000.

1955

James E. Strates Shows relocated its Winter Quarters from a fairground in Deland, Florida where it had wintered for two years, to a 40-acre lot in Taft, on the south border of Orlando, Florida, where it remains today. To accommodate the great show train, over a mile of railroad siding was laid and is still in use today for America's only remaining railroad carnival.

1956

E. James, son of founder James E., joined the show's management team under the supervision of his father.

James E. Strates with his sister,
Ms. Vasilike Strates Theodoropoulos

1958
October 11, James E. Strates had the opportunity to meet his sister, Ms. Vasilike (Elizabeth) Strates Theodoropoulos, for the first time. Elizabeth was born in Greece just after Mr. Strates arrived in America in 1909. Mr. Strates helped bring three of her seven children to America and they, in turn, later brought their mother.
The carnivals of yesteryear had an array of attractions on the midway, including the Viking Giant (8 feet, 8 inches tall), the four-abreast Ferris wheel, the Two-Ton-Hippopotamus, and the Wild Animal Menagerie comprised of elephants, camels, zebras, lions, bears and a brahma bull.

The 8 foot, 8 inch Viking Giant, one of the features on the Strates Shows midway in 1958.

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