Sarasota in Sarasota County, Florida — The American South (South Atlantic)
Winter Quarters
Photographed by Tim Fillmon, February 27, 2016
1. Winter Quarters Marker
Just east of this marker was the Winter Quarters of the Ringling Bros. & Barnum & Bailey Circus, a favorite winter attraction for tourists. Occupying what was previously the County Fair Grounds, the show spread over many acres with its "Big Top", menageries, practice rings, workshops and railroad yards. The show was a spectacle of lights, sawdust rings and a music all its own. Here clowns, acrobats, and animal acts trained for the long summer months on the "road", performers from all over the world entertained children of all ages.
Reverse:
The Ringling Winter Quarters moved from Bridgeport, Conn. in 1927. The circus helped to bring prosperity to a city then experiencing economic hard times. The circus trains leaving each year was an event looked forward to by all. The tragic fire at Hartford, Conn. on July 6th 1944 brought the circus home early that year. Here the big blue tent known as the "Big top" unfurled its flags in 1951 when Cecil B. DeMille produced his epic movie "The Greatest Show on Earth". Today, Sarasota is still the home of countless circus performers. The Winter Quarters moved from here to Venice, Florida in 1960.
Erected 1982 by Sarasota County Historical Commission.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Entertainment. A significant historical year for this entry is 1927.
Location.
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Regionally, this marker is on Florida’s Gulf Coast. It is also in the American South and on the Gulf Coast. Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region, North America, a Gulf of Mexico state, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain, the territory of the Mississippian Culture, one of the Confederate States of America, and the Antebellum South.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 3 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Kensington Park (approx. 0.7 miles away); Lynching in America / Lynching in Manatee and Sarasota Counties (approx. 0.9 miles away); Franklin Field (approx. 1.1 miles away); Sarasota County Agricultural Fair (approx. 1.1 miles away); Atlantic Coast Line Railroad Station (approx. 1.9 miles away); World Trade Center Memorial (approx. 2.1 miles away); Payne Park (approx. 2.2 miles away); Oaklands/Woodlawn Cemetery (approx. 2.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Sarasota.
Other markers no longer nearby. First Municipal Airport Lowe Field (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been confirmed missing); The Bobby Jones Legend (was approx. half a mile away but has been confirmed missing).
Photographed by Tim Fillmon, February 27, 2016
2. Winter Quarters Marker Reverse
Photographed by Tim Fillmon, February 27, 2016
3. Winter Quarters Marker looking east.
Credits. This page was last revised on June 21, 2018. It was originally submitted on January 27, 2017, by Tim Fillmon of Webster, Florida. This page has been viewed 1,006 times since then and 48 times this year. Last updated on February 13, 2017, by Byron Hooks of Sandy Springs, Georgia. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on January 27, 2017, by Tim Fillmon of Webster, Florida. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.
