Midtown Village in Philadelphia in Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)

Ricketts' Circus

Photographed By Keith S Smith, January 21, 2012

1. Ricketts Circus Marker

Inscription.
America’s first circus building was opened here at 12th and Market streets, April 3, 1793. On that day the English equestrian John Bill Ricketts gave America’s first complete circus performance. President Washington attended his show later that season.

Erected 1983 by Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Entertainment • Notable Events. In addition, it is included in the Former U.S. Presidents: #01 George Washington, and the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission series lists. A significant historical date for this entry is April 3, 1914.

Location. 39° 57.101′ N, 75° 9.596′ W. Marker is in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in Philadelphia County. It is in Midtown Village. Marker is on South 12th Street close to Market Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 20 S 12th St, Philadelphia PA 19107, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Reading Terminal and Market (within shouting distance of this marker); PSFS Building (within shouting distance of this marker); 13th & Market (within shouting distance of this marker); Veterans Buried at St. John the Evangelist's Parish Cemetery (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct

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line); The Honorable Charles I. Brown (about 500 feet away); St. John's Historic Graveyard & Tableau (about 500 feet away); St. John the Evangelist Roman Catholic Church (about 500 feet away); Thomas R. Kline School of Law (about 500 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Philadelphia.

Also see . . .
1. Behind the Marker - Explore PA History. (Submitted on January 22, 2012, by Keith S Smith of West Chester, Pennsylvania.)
2. John Bill Ricketts - Wikipedia. (Submitted on January 22, 2012, by Keith S Smith of West Chester, Pennsylvania.)

Additional commentary.
1. First Circus in America
In his short American career John Bill Ricketts established the first American Circus. He started out in in Philadelphia, he became a friend of President George Washington, and took his Circus on the road, throughout the East Coast of America. In doing so through horse acts and “daring do”, he gave a new continent a new type of theatre and showmanship that exists to this day. Simply stated he gave America a fun filled show called “the Circus”. He had established

Ricketts Circus Advertising Poster image. Click for full size.

Houghton Library, Harvard University - Public Domain

2. Ricketts Circus Advertising Poster

daring equestrian acts as the highlight of “the Circus” and throughout the beginning of the 19th century other circuses formed and followed his model. Ricketts contributions to his art blazed the trail for others to follow after him. Such names as Bailey, Cole, Ringling, and of corse P.T. Barnum, owe a debt of gratitude to the man that came before them making such an impact on our culture as to make their shows sought after.

— Submitted January 22, 2012, by Keith S Smith of West Chester, Pennsylvania.

Credits. This page was last revised on February 2, 2023. It was originally submitted on January 22, 2012, by Keith S Smith of West Chester, Pennsylvania. This page has been viewed 750 times since then and 50 times this year. Last updated on January 1, 2020, by Carl Gordon Moore Jr. of North East, Maryland. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on January 22, 2012, by Keith S Smith of West Chester, Pennsylvania. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.