Anderton and Rowland (Established c1854 - 1879)

Organisation

Dates

Existence: Established c1854 - 1879

Biography

Anderton and Rowland was formed by Albert Haslam, a Sheffield born showman and magician and his son Arthur aka Captain Rowland, in the late 1800s.

They travelled a circus and menagerie, the latter being sold in 1898 to pay of debts, after which Anderton started touring as Fourpawrs circus.

George DeVey joined Anderton and Rowland's in 1894, later marrying Albert's daughter, Martha. He was integral to the development of the rides and transport that saw Anderton and Rowland's develop to become one of the best touring fairs.

Anderton invested in the development of a new novelty, animated pictures and the show became known as 'Anderton and Rowland's Grand Empire Palace. In 1906 a new show front was commissioned from the Orton and Spooner Company, which included a Marenghi organ in the centre, still owned today by the company. There were light bulbs lit up at night that changed colour in time to the music.

Since the 1950s, the firm has continued to expand and the name Anderton and Rowland is now in its fifth generation. It is owned by the De-Vey family and is the biggest fairground operator travelling in Devon and Cornwall.

Found in 4 Collections and/or Records:

Blueprints of Plans and Elevation Drawings for Various Fairground Rides, c1880 - 1939

Sub-Series

Reference code: 178M15.35

Scope and Contents Plans and elevation drawings for various fairground rides, including No.64 Ark, No.52, No.54 Dodgems, No.1 Water Dodgem, Whirlwind racer design and electrical diagram, Yo-Yo centre drum, Swings, Joy Wheel, track for Gymnastic railway for East Coast Amusements, Ghost Train, Scenic No.1, commercial development on Burton-upon-Trent, Wall of Death, No.3 Monorail, No.8 Ghost train, Auto Skooter for Blackpool Olympia, Anderton and Rowland’s Dodgem’s carrier, No.45 Ark pay box, Codona’s Noah’s Ark...

Dates: c1880 - 1939

Found in: National Fairground and Circus Archive / Orton and Spooner Collection / Plans

Chris Russell Collection

Fonds

Reference code: NFA0112

Scope and Contents

This collection contains five boxes of original photographic material including negatives and slides, a small amount of fairground journals, newspaper cuttings, correspondence, six audio tapes and a small amount of posters and handbills all related to the fairground and steam rally events.

Dates: 1971 - 2013

Found in: National Fairground and Circus Archive

Orton and Spooner Collection

Fonds

Reference code: NFA0070

Scope and Contents

This collection contains a large selection of archives from the Orton and Spooner Company. The collection comprises photographs and cabinet card images showing carved work, structural work and classic painted work, 4 boxes of notes, invoices and clippings, 8 drawers of plans and blueprints, 2 folders of ride specifications and order forms, accounts books and a library of source books showing turn of the century art used by the artists in the company.

Dates: c1870 - 1969

Found in: National Fairground and Circus Archive