On July 18, 1951, St. Johnsbury residents stopped to watch as a line of elephants strolled nonchalantly down Railroad Street. People in cars poked their heads out their windows while those gathered on the streets stood on the sidewalk to get a better view of these massive animals.

The circus had come to town, and just as in many other towns across the country, the circus was a big deal. The strolling of the elephants was one of the most popular circus attractions, designed to heighten excitement.

The big top was pitched in Gilman Field, surrounded by brightly colored trucks and trailers that carried the circus from town to town.

Photo courtesy Images of America: St. Johnsbury by Claire Dunne Johnson.