Victorian Village in Columbus in Franklin County, Ohio — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

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Circus

— Short North Arts District —

Photographed By J. J. Prats, June 5, 2016

1. Circus Informational Kiosk

Inscription.

Circus. . By 1890, the Sells Brothers Circus would become the second largest circus in America, but it started in the spring of 1871 in downtown Columbus with a modest menagerie and a few horseback riding and sideshow acts, starring “Cannonball” George Richards. , Duties for the small family-run circus were divided among four Sells brothers. Allen Sells was the manager, Lewis was superintendent, and Ephraim treasurer. Peter was the frontman, traveling ahead to post advertisements, and to secure contracts and railroad reservations. As the circus grew in popularity, the brothers each settled into off-season homes close to Goodale Park. The most famous, built by Peter at the corner of Park and Dennison, is still known as the Sells Circus House. , Winter quarters for the circus were located in Sellsville, an unincorporated area of about 1,000 acres on the west bank of the Olentangy River, just north of Fifth Avenue. Stray elephants and bands of itinerant monkeys were amusing and not uncommon occurrences in Sellsville, although one resident’s reported encounter with five polar bears on the street resulted in an extremely quick commute home from work. , It wasn’t just circus trainers and performers at risk, but even spectators had to beware. After real bullets that were substituted for blanks in the Wild West show accidentally killed three spectators in Iowa, the Sells Brothers avoided the state for several years. A typical season, running from mid-April to early December, opened in Columbus and closed in a southern city. In 1891 the company logged over 40,000 miles on the road, including a trip to Australia. , In 1905, the circus was sold to James Bailey of Barnum and Bailey, who eventually sold shares to the Ringling Brothers. The act continued to tour under the Sells Brothers name until 1911, then as part of the conglomerate Ringling Brothers, Barnum and Bailey Circus, the Greatest Show on Earth. , (text in advertisements reproduced on this panel) , Sells Brothers’ . The leading leapers of two hemispheres . Six enormous rail-road shows now united. Sell Brothers . E. Sells . Peter Sells . Lewis Sells . Sole proprietors, founders and managers, in person, of the Only Show that bears their name.

By 1890, the Sells Brothers Circus would become the second largest circus in America, but it started in the spring of 1871 in downtown Columbus with a modest menagerie and a few horseback riding and sideshow acts, starring “Cannonball” George Richards.

Duties for the small family-run circus were divided among four Sells brothers. Allen Sells was the manager, Lewis was superintendent, and Ephraim treasurer. Peter was the frontman, traveling ahead to post advertisements, and to secure contracts and railroad reservations. As the circus grew in popularity, the brothers each settled into off-season homes close to Goodale Park. The most famous, built by Peter at the corner of Park and Dennison, is still known as the Sells Circus House.

Winter quarters for the circus were located in Sellsville, an unincorporated area of about 1,000 acres on the west bank of the Olentangy River, just north of Fifth Avenue. Stray elephants and bands of itinerant monkeys were amusing and not uncommon occurrences in Sellsville, although one resident’s reported encounter with five polar bears on the street resulted in an extremely quick commute home from work.

It wasn’t just circus trainers and performers at risk, but even spectators had to beware. After real bullets that were substituted for blanks in the

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Wild West show accidentally killed three spectators in Iowa, the Sells Brothers avoided the state for several years. A typical season, running from mid-April to early December, opened in Columbus and closed in a southern city. In 1891 the company logged over 40,000 miles on the road, including a trip to Australia.

In 1905, the circus was sold to James Bailey of Barnum and Bailey, who eventually sold shares to the Ringling Brothers. The act continued to tour under the Sells Brothers name until 1911, then as part of the conglomerate Ringling Brothers, Barnum and Bailey Circus, the Greatest Show on Earth.

(text in advertisements reproduced on this panel)
Sells Brothers’ • The leading leapers of two hemispheres • Six enormous rail-road shows now united. Sell Brothers • E. Sells • Peter Sells • Lewis Sells • Sole proprietors, founders and managers, in person, of the Only Show that bears their name.

Erected by Short North Special Improvement District.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Entertainment. A significant historical year for this entry is 1890.

Location. Marker has been permanently removed. It was located near 39° 59.052′ N, 83° 0.304′ W. Marker was in Columbus, Ohio, in Franklin County

Photographed By J. J. Prats, June 5, 2016

2. Circus Informational Kiosk

. It was in Victorian Village. Marker was at the intersection of North High Street and West 3rd Avenue, on the right when traveling south on North High Street. Touch for map. Marker was at or near this postal address: 1071 N High St, Columbus OH 43201, United States of America.

We have been informed that this sign or monument is no longer there and will not be replaced. This page is an archival view of what was.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this location. The Fireproof Building (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Father Rocco Petrarca (approx. 0.6 miles away); Reverend Father Alexander Cestelli / Chiesta Italiana di San Giovanni Battista (approx. 0.6 miles away); James S. Tyler / Tyler Family Legacy (approx. 0.7 miles away); Lincoln Goodale (approx. 0.7 miles away); Tod Barracks, 1863 (approx. ¾ mile away); Flytown (approx. ¾ mile away); Iskcon Krishna House (approx. 0.8 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Columbus.

Also see . . .
1. Wikipedia entry for Sells Brothers Circus.

The circus, more formally known as the Sells Brothers’ Quadruple Alliance, Museum, Menagerie, Caravan and Circus, ran from 1862 to 1863 and again from 1871 to 1895. The circus was based out of Columbus, Ohio in
Photographed By J. J. Prats, June 5, 2016

3. Circus Informational Kiosk
an area that was known as Sellsville in Clinton Township along the Olentangy River near King Avenue. Sellsville was of considerable size, and many animals and staff lived in the area during the off seasons.

It merged with the circus operated by Adam Forepaugh to form the Forepaugh-Sells Brothers’ Circus in 1900. It later merged with the Floto Dog & Pony Show to become the Sells Floto Circus.

(Submitted on September 6, 2022.)

2. Wikipedia entry for Circus House. Excerpt:

The house was commissioned in the 1890s by the circus owner Peter Sells of Sells Brothers Circus. Yost & Packard designed the house with influence from the Sells family trip to California in 1891. The dramatic rooflines, curved Moorish style windows, and terracotta-tile roof suggest a similar profile to that of a circus big top. The firm also designed the carriage house, occupied by the servants of the Sells family. The house was completed in 1895.

(Submitted on September 6, 2022, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio.)

Additional keywords. The Big Show of the World

Credits. This page was last revised on February 3, 2023. It was originally submitted on September 6, 2022, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio. This page has been viewed 127 times since then and 19 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on September 6, 2022, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio.