Salvation Circus
A magazine article detailing the eccentric acts and views of renowned cult leader and swindler William E. Riker, who spent decades with his flock alongside the Old Santa Cruz Highway.
Notables: Perfect Christian Divine Way, Melvin Belli, William E Riker / William Riker / William Edward Riker, Paul Kagan, Robert Hine, Bruce Franks, John V Young, KFQU, Palace Hotel, Lucille Jensen Riker / Mother Lucille Riker, Hayes Street, Agnes Jenkins, Frieda Schwartz, Carl Guarneri, Joan Didion, Maurice Kline, Faber Johnston, Agnews State Hospital, Holy City Zoo, Dan Cooley Art Glass, Holy City Post Office
Notables: Perfect Christian Divine Way, Melvin Belli, William E Riker / William Riker / William Edward Riker, Paul Kagan, Robert Hine, Bruce Franks, John V Young, KFQU, Palace Hotel, Lucille Jensen Riker / Mother Lucille Riker, Hayes Street, Agnes Jenkins, Frieda Schwartz, Carl Guarneri, Joan Didion, Maurice Kline, Faber Johnston, Agnews State Hospital, Holy City Zoo, Dan Cooley Art Glass, Holy City Post Office
Creator:
Barbara Bailey Kelley
Source:
WEST
Date: 1984-11-18
Type:
ARTICLE; PHOTO; ADVERTISEMENT
Coverage:
- Santa Cruz
- Santa Cruz Mountains
- Churches
- Christianity
- 1980s
- Clubs
- Oakdale
- San Francisco
- Racism
- 1960s
- 1950s
- 1940s
- 1930s
- 1920s
- 1910s
- Fires
Identifier: MS-SANTA CRUZ-HOLY CITY-1
Collection
Citation
Kelley, Barbara Bailey. “Salvation Circus.” WEST. 1984-11-18. SCPL Local History. https://history.santacruzpl.org/omeka/items/show/139975. Accessed 13 Nov. 2025.