Near Poynette in Columbia County, Wisconsin — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
The Circus
Photographed By William J. Toman, April 17, 2011
1. The Circus Marker
Wisconsin has a unique heritage as the birthplace of circuses. More than a hundred had their beginnings in Wisconsin, with Delavan providing winter-quarters for twenty-six between 1847 and 1894. New York brothers Edmund and Jeremiah Mabie brought their United States Olympic Circus to Delavan in 1847, and the idea for P.T. Barnum's Asiatic Caravan was developed in Delavan by William Cameron Coup in 1871.In Baraboo the Ringling Brothers' World Greatest Shows began in 1884, followed by the five Gollmar Brothers' Circus in 1891. Each of the communities on the map was the home of at least one circus. Today, thousands of items recalling the exciting and colorful history of the circus are preserved in a vast complex 15 miles from here, at Baraboo's Circus World Museum, opened by the State Historical Society of Wisconsin in 1959.
Erected 1971 by the Wisconsin Historical Society. (Marker Number 178.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Entertainment. In addition, it is included in the Wisconsin Historical Society series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1847.
Location.
this page online
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 8 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Veterans of the American Revolution Memorial Bridge (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Wisconsin Veterans Memorial Highway (about 300 feet away); Rest Areas on the I-Roads (approx. 0.4 miles away); The Old Village of Dekorra (approx. 2.4 miles away); Wallis Rowan and His Cabin (approx. 4˝ miles away); John Muir View (approx. 5.2 miles away); St. Mary's of the Pines (approx. 5.9 miles away); Jacques Marquette and Louis Joliet (approx. 7.7 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Poynette.
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 Joel S., August 5, 2015
2. The Circus Marker - map detail
Photographed By Keith L, September 22, 2012
3. The Circus Marker
Photographed By William J. Toman, April 17, 2011
4. The Circus Marker
The marker is in the lower right of this photo, with the Interstate rest stop building in the background.
Photographed By William J. Toman, April 17, 2011
5. The Circus Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on October 27, 2017. It was originally submitted on April 18, 2011, by William J. Toman of Green Lake, Wisconsin. This page has been viewed 1,022 times since then and 90 times this year. Last updated on October 26, 2017, by Paul Fehrenbach of Germantown, Wisconsin. Photos: 1. submitted on April 18, 2011, by William J. Toman of Green Lake, Wisconsin. 2. submitted on August 13, 2015, by Joel Seewald of Madison Heights, Michigan. 3. submitted on October 11, 2012, by Keith L of Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin. 4, 5. submitted on April 18, 2011, by William J. Toman of Green Lake, Wisconsin. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.
