Janesville in Rock County, Wisconsin — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
Burr Robbins Circus
Photographed By Keith L, September 23, 2009
1. Burr Robbins Circus Marker
Inscription.
Burr Robbins Circus. . This site served as the Spring Brook Farm winter quarters for the Burr Robbins Circus from 1874-1888. This show was once reported as the third largest circus in America. In 1874, Burr Robbins bought E.P. Doty's 100-acre farm and converted it into a village of sorts, complete with homestead, animal house, horse barn, riding hall, root house, and paint, blacksmith and harness shops. The farm, named for the brook that flowed through it, also had a deer park surrounded by a tall picket fence. Burr Robbins, a respected Janesville citizen, poured thousands of dollars into the local economy every year. The circus was considered as valuable to the city as any manufacturing establishment. Showing his fondness for the community, Burr Robbins once said, "when my wanderings are over, I shall ever turn my face toward Janesville with joy."
This site served as the Spring Brook Farm winter quarters for the Burr Robbins Circus from 1874-1888. This show was once reported as the third largest circus in America. In 1874, Burr Robbins bought E.P. Doty's 100-acre farm and converted it into a village of sorts, complete with homestead, animal house, horse barn, riding hall, root house, and paint, blacksmith and harness shops. The farm, named for the brook that flowed through it, also had a deer park surrounded by a tall picket fence. Burr Robbins, a respected Janesville citizen, poured thousands of dollars into the local economy every year. The circus was considered as valuable to the city as any manufacturing establishment. Showing his fondness for the community, Burr Robbins once said, "when my wanderings are over, I shall ever turn my face toward Janesville with joy."
Erected 2000 by the Wisconsin Historical Society. (Marker Number 454.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Animals • Entertainment. In addition, it is included in the Wisconsin Historical Society series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1874.
Location. 42° 40.088′ N, 89° 0.751′ W. Marker is in Janesville, Wisconsin, in Rock County. Marker can be reached from
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Beloit Avenue north of Delavan Drive, on the left when traveling north. Marker is along a paved bike trail at Jeffris Park / Pat Dawson Field. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 850 Beloit Avenue, Janesville WI 53545, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Related markers. Click here for a list of markers that are related to this marker. This is a list of Wisconsin circus markers.
Photographed By Keith L, September 23, 2009
2. Burr Robbins Circus Marker
Photographed By Keith L, September 23, 2009
3. Pat Dawson Field
The marker, slightly visible, is in the distance beyond the parking lot.
Credits. This page was last revised on October 27, 2017. It was originally submitted on September 25, 2009, by Keith L of Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin. This page has been viewed 1,929 times since then and 61 times this year. Last updated on October 26, 2017, by Paul Fehrenbach of Germantown, Wisconsin. Photos:1, 2, 3. submitted on September 25, 2009, by Keith L of Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.
