Manuscript Group 975, Louis E. Cooke (1850 – 1923), Circus Agent, Htel Proprietor, Newark, NJ, Scrapbook, 1882 – 1923

975. COOKE, LOUIS E.
(1850-1923), circus agent, hotel proprietor,

Newark, N.J.

Scrapbook, 1882- 1923. 1
vol.

Contains personal papers;
photographs; clippings; circus pro-

grams and booklets; route
books; miscellaneous periodicals;

reminiscences written by
Cooke’s daughter, Viola Cooke. Louis

Cooke was a circus agent and
proprietor of the Continental Hotel

in Newark. Many of the
photographs, accompanied by Viola

Cook’s descriptive notes,
concern the hotel, a favorite lodging

place for entertainers
staying in Newark. Born in Tioga County,

Pa., Louis Cooke came to
Newark in 1861. During his career, he

was associated with many of
the important circuses of the day, including the W.W. Cole Shows,
the Adam Forepaugh Show, the

101 Ranch Wild West Show,
the Barnum and Bailey Circus, Buf-

falo Bill’s Wild West Show,
Frank A. Robbins’ Shows, and

Pawnee Bill’s Wild West.
Contained in the scrapbook are

photographs and other
materials concerning William F. (Buffalo

Bill) Cody and Gordon W.
(Pawnee Bill) Lillie. Louis Cooke con-

tributed numerous articles
to the entertainment magazine

<1 Billboard>1 on
circus life, completing the manuscript for a book to

be entitled <1Under the
White Tops, or Circus Life and History.>1

Archives, Manuscript