In the late 1890s James Patterson began his show business career as a carnival operator, Patterson owned the "Great Patterson Shows". In 1912 Patterson operated "Patterson's Jungleland", which seems to have been more of a sideshow than a circus. Then in 1916 Patterson purchased the Gollmar Brothers Circus and toured as the show as "Gollmar Bros.-Jas. Patterson Circus", however only for the 1817 season.
In 1918 James went back to operating the "Great Patterson Shows" as a carnival, then in the early 1920s began touring a circus as the Patterson's Trained Animal Show. In 1925 he purchased the "Gentry Brothers Famous Shows" which he combined with his Patterson's Trained Animal Show. |
