Carnivale: the Earliest Traveling Campers

1934. The Dustbowl. The last great age of magic. This is my newest research obsession thanks to the HBO series, Carnivàle. Whether it's studying vintage camper trailers or the history of Plains, Georgia, I seem to gravitate to the Great Depression era.

Images via Wikipedia - Tyne & Wear Archives & Museums

Having lived in Florida for the past thirteen years, I've grown very fond of the history behind the Ringling Circus as well as the whole traveling carnival scene.

The above trailer was owned by Arthur James Fenwick (1878-1957) was a director of Fenwick's Department Store. In his personal life he was extremely interested in fairs and circuses, collecting historical material about them and building personal relationships with showmen who visited Newcastle.

He was made a life member of the Showmen's Guild in 1944.

I love watching the HBO series, Carnivàle hence this blog post was inspired by the show!

A few years ago I joined a group called The Tin Can Tourists. It was made up of vintage loving souls like myself.

I even attended a rally event of theirs a few years back. They just had one in Florida a few weeks ago!

I will include some photos from the event I attended three years ago in Brooksville, FL.

So there they are … a few fun facts about vintage campers and who some of the earliest traveling RVers were! It feels good to find out a fun fact! Happy history sweet friends!