Delavan in Walworth County, Wisconsin — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

Birthplace of “The Greatest Show on Earth”

Photographed by Paul F, February 18, 2011

1. Birthplace of “The Greatest Show on Earth” Marker

South side of two sided marker

Inscription. At this site, March 20, 1871, the first P.T. Barnum Circus was loaded on rail cars and transported to Brooklyn, NY where it made its initial performance on April 10, 1871. The circus was conceived and organized in Delavan by William C. Coup and Dan Costello. Using various titles for several years, it eventually became known as “The Greatest Show on Earth.” In 1888, James A. Bailey became Barnum’s sole partner and the circus’ title was changed to Barnum and Bailey. Following the deaths of Barnum in 1891 and Bailey in 1906, their circus was sold to the Ringling brothers of Baraboo in 1907. It was operated as a separate circus until combined with Ringling Brothers in 1919. On September 6, 1970, Ringling Brothers and Barnum and Bailey Circus returned to this site to commemorate the 100th year of its founding.

Erected 2000 by Wisconsin State Historical Society. (Marker Number 440.)

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 month for this entry is March 1904.

Location. 42° 37.818′ N, 88° 38.335′ W. Marker is in Delavan, Wisconsin, in Walworth County. It is at the intersection of South Seventh Street and

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Wisconsin Avenue, on the right when traveling south on South Seventh Street. Marker is located in the parking lot on the west side of Seventh Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 218 South Seventh Street, Delavan WI 53115, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Southeast Wisconsin. It is also in the American Midwest,

on the Great Lakes,

and in the Corn Belt.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture

and also the Northwest Territory.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 3 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Civil War Tree (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Delavan’s Historic Brick Street (approx. half a mile away); "19th Century Circus Capital of the Nation" (approx. half a mile away); Delavan's Circus Colony (approx. half a mile away); Historic Circus District (approx. half a mile away); Veterans Memorial (approx. 0.8 miles away); Wisconsin's First School for the Deaf (approx. 0.9 miles away); a different marker also named Veterans Memorial (approx. 3 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Delavan.

Related markers. Click here for a list of markers that are related to this marker. This is a list of Wisconsin circus markers.

Additional keywords. Circus

Photographed by Paul F, February 18, 2011

2. Birthplace of “The Greatest Show on Earth” Marker

North side of two sided marker

Photographed by Paul F, February 18, 2011

3. Birthplace of “The Greatest Show on Earth” Marker

Marker is in the parking lot. Railroad tracks run along the left hand (south side) of the parking lot.

Credits. This page was last revised on May 26, 2025. It was originally submitted on February 23, 2011, by Paul Fehrenbach of Richfield, Wisconsin. This page has been viewed 2,125 times since then and 79 times this year. Last updated on October 26, 2017, by Paul Fehrenbach of Richfield, Wisconsin. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on February 23, 2011, by Paul Fehrenbach of Richfield, Wisconsin. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.