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“Bite-Size Bits of Local, National, and Global History”
Near Baraboo in Sauk County, Wisconsin — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
 

Ringling Brothers Circus

 
 
Ringling Brothers Circus Marker image. Click for full size.
Photographed By Jay Taylor, April 8, 2007
1. Ringling Brothers Circus Marker
Inscription. “The Greatest Show on Earth” was born and grew to maturity in Baraboo, just north of here. When the five Ringling brothers gave the first performance of their "Great Double Shows, Circus and Caravan," May 19, 1884, the main tent was 45 by 90 feet. There was no band wagon, no menagerie. The menagerie was started in 1886, with a hyena advertised as the “Hideous Hyena Striata Gigantium, the Mammoth, Midnight Marauding, Man-Eating Monstrosity.” After traveling in horse-drawn wagons for six seasons, the circus became the “Ringling Bros. United Monster Railroad Shows.” Until 1918 the circus wintered in Baraboo, where many of the winter-quarters still stand. From humble beginnings, a little hallroom show became the mightiest and most spectacular organization in the entertainment world.
 
Erected 1956 by Wisconsin Historical Society. (Marker Number 42.)
 
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: AnimalsEntertainment. In addition, it is included in the National Historic Landmarks, and the Wisconsin Historical Society series lists. A significant historical date for this entry is May 19, 1884.
 
Location. 43° 26.932′ N, 89° 46.104′ W. Marker is near Baraboo, Wisconsin, in Sauk County. Marker is on State Highway 136, on
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the right when traveling north. On Highway 136 1.5 miles South of Baraboo, Wisconsin. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Baraboo WI 53913, United States of America. Touch for directions.
 
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Baraboo River (approx. 1.8 miles away); First Permanent Home in Baraboo (approx. 1.8 miles away); Thompson House Hotel (approx. 1.9 miles away); Sauk County Civil War Monument (approx. 2 miles away); World War I Memorial (approx. 2 miles away); The Ringling Bros. and Baraboo, Wisconsin Circus Heritage (approx. 2 miles away); The Ringling Winter Quarters and the Baraboo River (approx. 2 miles away); Ringling Brothers Circus Winter Quarters (approx. 2.1 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Baraboo.
 
Related markers. Click here for a list of markers that are related to this marker. This is a list of Wisconsin circus markers.
 
Also see . . .  Ringling Brothers Circus. (Submitted on April 8, 2007, by Jay Taylor of Mendota Heights, Minnesota.)
 
Ringling Brothers Circus Marker image. Click for full size.
Photographed By Keith L, May 5, 2009
2. Ringling Brothers Circus Marker
Circus World Museum image. Click for full size.
Photographed By Keith L, July 27, 2007
3. Circus World Museum
Circus World Museum in Baraboo, Wisconsin is designated a National Historic Landmark by the United States Department of the Interior and is located at the site of the original Ringling Bros. Circus winter quarters. Source: http://www.baraboonow.com/circus-world-museum.asp
Circus Grounds (Baraboo River) image. Click for full size.
Photographed By Keith L, July 27, 2007
4. Circus Grounds (Baraboo River)
Circus World Museum collects, preserves and interprets archival material and artifacts relating to the history of the American circus. In addition to the circus museum, it maintains and operates a circus library and research center...including the presentation of live circus performances during the summer season. The summer season includes a full range of family entertainment, including Big Top performances, stage shows, circus music demonstrations, train loading shows, clowns, elephant rides, and educational animal training demonstrations. Source: http://www.wisconsinhistory.org/sites/circusworld/about.asp
 
 
Credits. This page was last revised on November 4, 2021. It was originally submitted on April 8, 2007, by Jay Taylor of Mendota Heights, Minnesota. This page has been viewed 3,830 times since then and 26 times this year. Last updated on November 4, 2021, by Anthony Maass of Weston, Wisconsin. Photos:   1. submitted on April 8, 2007, by Jay Taylor of Mendota Heights, Minnesota.   2. submitted on May 7, 2009, by Keith L of Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin.   3, 4. submitted on July 28, 2007, by Keith L of Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin. • J. Makali Bruton was the editor who published this page.

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Mar. 19, 2024