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Miscellaneous Items
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What was the Circuit Chautauqua? How did it affect the county's community?
The first references to the Circuit Chautauqua in Humboldt County appeared in the Humboldt Kosmos, and the Livermore Gazette, in the late 1880's. Briefly, Chautauqua was a program to bring lecturers, classic plays, Broadway hits, and a variety of musical presentations, to communities all over the country. The programs stimulated people to learn about important political, social and cultural issues of that time. If you'd like to learn more about the Circuit Chautauqua, visit Traveling Culture presented by University of Iowa Libraries and the Library of Congress.
I purchased the above poster and then found a program of Mrs. English. If you'd like to view the entire program, visit Mrs. Lilla G. English at the traveling circuit collection at the University of Iowa **As the U of I keeps changing these links, please visiti their web site and search for the program if you wish to read the entire thing.~Karen 13 Oct 2016
Oliver DeGroote wrote of his earliest memories of the Baptist Assembly sponsored programs in the late 1890's, in his book "The History of the City of Humboldt."
"...in the woods across the river west of the present mill race bridge. The transportation across the river was over a temporary foot bridge...." "Good crowds enjoyed the novel entertainment, consisting of lectures, music and a sermon by a noted preacher."
The following year the Chautauqua was held in College Park, which became the preferred site for several years. Beginning in 1908, the Chautauqua was held in Taft's Park. The Red Path Company supplied a large tent, where the attendees could be seated. Examples of those that appeared on the program over the twelve years that the Chautauqua Circuit was popular:
Again, Oliver DeGroote writes: "B. E. Stong, T. G. White and Lawrence Winne were among the officers and many farmers camped on the grounds the entire ten days. For them it was a delightful and cultural vacation and farmer Harry Adams and family rarely missed one." "....the weather was generally hot..." "....a sea of drug store free fans or palm leaf fans swaying inside the sultry tent."
A season ticket for twenty sessions cost $2.00 and was transferable. Page written by Susan Coleman
Page last updated by Karen 21 Oct 2023 |
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