I can remember my parents taking me to see the RBB&B circus at the Oakland Auditorium near Lake Merritt. (the Auditorium was before the Coliseum. Many events of all kinds were held there).I also got to see the animals being unloaded from the train. The elephants were a high point as was the performance of the famous clown Emmett Kelly. ( I don't remember anyone being scared of clowns back then; if they were it wasn't admitted or discussed ). Sad to see another big part of our country's history, both entertainment and railroading, going away. All across this nation it was something to look forward to when The Circus came to town!