We ran across this unique picture postcard of Zingarella on Facebook. Due credit to Barry Holdship, who collects old photographs of the Upper Thumb.

Is the Daredevil Zingarella in Coney Island New York or Bad Axe?

The daredevil Zingarella postcard is inscribed with Bad Axe Fair 1912 on the bottom. Doing some research, we found this image listed on eBay, but it is denoted as being from Coney Island Amusement Park in New York in 1909. In the distance, we can see a tall domed building. If it was taken in Bad Axe, then I assume that to be the Huron County Courthouse. The tallest structure in town.

Sideshows at the Bad Axe Fair

We have found little information on the performer Zingarella. The stunt appears to be that the girl walks a ball down the steep circular ramp while waving a flag. I’m sure that a piece of chilling music accompanies the act.

The Huron Community Fair took place September 17 – 20, 1912. If this was a postcard of the fair, it was likely taken by J. G. McDonald studios. McDonald’s studios were known for taking many postcard shots of subjects in Michigan’s Thumb during the heyday of sending postcards in the early 1900s.

Cover photo from Wystan