Carson & Barnes Circus was founded, developed, nurtured and owned by Mr. D. R. Miller. Initially, his father, Mr. Obert Miller in 1937, created a ‘dog & pony’ show, which started his son’s Sarasota, Florida “Circus Ring of Fame” legacy. Mr. D.R. Miller and his wife of sixty-two years, Isla, were hands-on owners, producers and curators of this magnificent part of American tradition and history. After the their deaths in 1998 and 1999, respectively, the operation was under the ownership, tutelage and direction of their only daughter, Mrs. Barbara (Miller) Byrd and her husband, Geary. Today, Carson & Barnes Circus, Incorporated, Miller Equipment Company, and the Endangered Ark Foundation, Hugo, Oklahoma, are also enjoined by Byrd’s two daughters, Traci and Kristin, their husbands and children which is a privately owned fifth generation family business.

Carson & Barnes Circus’ general offices and winter quarters are nestled in the gently rolling hills of southeastern Oklahoma in the City of Hugo. The Promotion and Marketing offices are located in Seaside, California. Eight months of every year, Carson & Barnes Circus virtually moves everyday to a different city or town giving at least two 2-hour performances. Thousands of fund-raising dollars are earned through advance ticket sales by an organization of their respective community who hosts or sponsors the show. Carson & Barnes Circus is the largest 3-ring traditional American circus and the largest traveling zoo in existence today with dozens of animals, including elephants, camels, giraffe, hippo, show dogs and horses, llamas and many more. The performances are held under the canvas of the ‘big top’ almost the size of a football field. Logistically, Carson & Barnes Circus is the world’s largest self-contained nomadic city with approximately 50 vehicles, including a power plant (electricity), restaurant (cook house) which serves approximately 500 meals per day for approximately 150 personnel, as well as living quarters and other essential daily needs. Carson & Barnes Circus, spanning eight decades, has performed for over 50 million people in the forty-three of the contiguous states, from the smallest towns to the major markets, and has been the vehicle for thousands of non-profit organizations to realize cash infusions of millions and of fund raising dollars.

Miller Equipment Company provides the necessary support in terms of vehicles, maintenance and transportation. The Endangered Ark Foundation is a non-profit 501 (c) (3) concern dedicated to the controlled breeding, life, welfare and longevity of various endangered species, including, but not limited to, elephants. Several hundred acres tangent to the Carson & Barnes winter quarters in Hugo were subordinated to the Foundation by Mr. Miller prior to his death. In addition to the breeding facilities, these grounds will house research and development offices, library, petting menagerie, tourist infrastructure, animal housing, a learning center and much more. The growth and expansion of the Foundation is dependent on contributions from the private sector and grants.