Delavan in Walworth County, Wisconsin — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
Delavan's Circus Colony
Because this circus was the largest and most profitable in existence, circus performers and other show personnel flocked to Delavan. Twenty-six circuses winter-quartered here between 1847 and 1894, including Harry Buckley’s National Circus and Roman Hippodrome, W.C. Coup-Dan Castello’s Egyptian Caravan, Holland and McMahon World’s Circus. The colorful days of the circus era in Delavan ended with the E.G. Holland & Co. Railroad Shows.
In 1871 the idea for forming the P.T.Barnum Circus was developed in Delavan by W.C. Coup, who also was first to put a large circus on rails and introduced the second and third ring to the performance. Delavan reached its peak as a “circus town” during the 1870’s. About seventy members of the “circus colony” are buried in Spring Grove and St. Andrew’s cemeteries.
Erected 1963 by State Historical Society of Wisconsin. (Marker Number 128.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Entertainment • Settlements & Settlers. In addition, it is included in the Wisconsin Historical Society series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1847.
Location. 42° 38′ N, 88° 39.24′ W. Marker is in Delavan, Wisconsin, in Walworth County. Marker is at the intersection of West Walworth Avenue (State Highway 11) and North Vine Street, on the right when traveling west on West Walworth Avenue. Located in Horton Park. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Delavan WI 53115, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 7 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Wisconsin's First School for the Deaf (about 600 feet away, measured in a direct line); Delavan’s Historic Brick Street (approx. 0.3 miles away); Birthplace of “The Greatest Show on Earth” (approx. 0.8 miles away); John Bruce (approx. 3.7 miles away); Darien Civil War Memorial (approx. 3.7 miles away); The 755th Aircraft Control and Warning Squadron (approx. 5.9 miles away); The Webster House (approx. 6.2 miles away); Allen Family (approx. 6.6 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Delavan.
More about this marker. The marker was taken down temporarily to do renovations in the park. The Parks Director of Delevan has confirmed that the marker has been re-installed as of 8/7/2023.
Related markers. Click here for a list of markers that are related to this marker. This is a list of Wisconsin circus markers.
Credits. This page was last revised on August 31, 2023. It was originally submitted on July 23, 2010, by Paul Fehrenbach of Germantown, Wisconsin. This page has been viewed 1,890 times since then and 165 times this year. Last updated on August 7, 2023, by Fitzie Heimdahl of Eau Claire, Wisconsin. Photos: 1. submitted on August 31, 2023, by Fitzie Heimdahl of Eau Claire, Wisconsin. 2, 3. submitted on July 23, 2010, by Paul Fehrenbach of Germantown, Wisconsin. 4. submitted on January 29, 2022, by Devon Polzar of Port Washington, Wisconsin. 5. submitted on January 16, 2023, by Devon Polzar of Port Washington, Wisconsin. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.
Editor’s want-list for this marker. Photo of marker location with missing marker or if replaced. • Can you help?