Ep 3. Gibsonton: the Last Side Show

In City Confidential season 2 episode 3, viewers are taken to Gibsonton, Florida, a small town with a unique history. This episode, "Gibsonton: The Last Side Show," explores the town's past as a winter home for circus performers and sideshow attractions.

The episode begins by introducing viewers to the eccentric and eclectic community of Gibsonton. Known as "Showtown," Gibsonton was home to many circus performers and sideshow attractions who would spend their winters in the warm Florida weather. The episode describes Gibsonton as a place where "the streets are named after circus acts, and elephants are more common than people."

The episode then delves into the history of Gibsonton, explaining how the town became a winter home for circus performers. Many of the performers were drawn to Gibsonton due to its temperate climate and the fact that it was away from the hustle and bustle of larger cities. The episode describes how performers would come to Gibsonton to relax, recharge, and prepare for the upcoming season.

Another aspect of Gibsonton's history that the episode explores is the sideshow attractions that would winter in the town. Sideshow performers were a big part of the circus industry, and many of them would come to Gibsonton to work on their acts and prepare for the upcoming season. The episode describes how sideshow performers were often seen as outcasts in society, but in Gibsonton, they were accepted and welcomed.

As the episode progresses, viewers are introduced to some of the famous circus performers and sideshow attractions who called Gibsonton home. One such performer was Al "The Alligator Man" Tomaini, who had a rare condition that caused his skin to resemble that of an alligator. The episode describes how Tomaini became a beloved figure in Gibsonton and how he used his unique appearance to his advantage in his sideshow act.

The episode also introduces viewers to Ward Hall, a sideshow promoter who was known as the "King of the Sideshow." Hall was a major figure in the circus world, and he would often come to Gibsonton to book acts and prepare for the upcoming season. The episode describes how Hall was instrumental in keeping the sideshow tradition alive and how he helped to make Gibsonton a major destination for sideshow performers.

The episode then takes a darker turn and explores the decline of Gibsonton's circus and sideshow industry. As the popularity of circuses and sideshows waned in the latter half of the 20th century, many performers found themselves out of work. Gibsonton, which had once been a bustling community, began to decline as well.

The episode describes how many of the performers who once called Gibsonton home were forced to leave and find other work. Some stayed in the town and took on odd jobs, while others moved on to other parts of the country. The decline of Gibsonton's circus and sideshow industry was a devastating blow to the town, and it has struggled to recover ever since.

Overall, "Gibsonton: The Last Side Show" is a fascinating look at a unique and colorful community. The episode offers a glimpse into the world of circus performers and sideshow attractions and explores the rich history of Gibsonton. While the decline of Gibsonton's circus and sideshow industry is a sad chapter in its history, the episode celebrates the spirit of the performers who once called the town home.