Salisbury in Rowan County, North Carolina — The American South (South Atlantic)

The Town that Loved the Circus

— Salisbury History & Art Trail —

Photographed By Duane and Tracy Marsteller, November 13, 2023

1. The Town that Loved the Circus Marker

Inscription. Charles Sparks chose Salisbury as the winter home for his Sparks World-Famous Shows (1910-1916 & 1918-1919) because of its north-south and east-west railways and the nearby Spencer Shops that could refurbish the circus train. Each year, before loading 50 red and yellow railroad cars to begin the annual tour, Sparks treated the town to two performances. Circus Day was declared a holiday for schools and businesses. Thousands lined the streets to watch the parade of gilded wagons, steam calliopes, exotic animals. Local citizens welcomed the performers and their families, and Salisbury was known as the town that loved the circus.

Erected 2008 by Downtown Salisbury, Inc. • Salisbury Community Appearance Commission.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Entertainment • Railroads & Streetcars. A significant historical year for this entry is 1910.

Location. 35° 40.021′ N, 80° 28.024′ W. Marker is in Salisbury, North Carolina, in Rowan County. Marker is at the intersection of Depot Street and East Council Street, on the right when traveling south on Depot Street. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Salisbury NC 28144, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Salisbury Fire Dept. (about 700 feet away, measured in a direct line); Washington's Southern Tour

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(about 700 feet away); St. Luke’s Episcopal Church (about 700 feet away); Wiley Immanuel Lash (about 700 feet away); Elizabeth Maxwell Steele (about 700 feet away); Rowan County Courthouse (about 700 feet away); Washington’s Tour of the Southern States (about 700 feet away); Rowan County World War I Memorial (about 700 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Salisbury.

Also see . . .
1. Wineka column: Sparks circus enjoyed the winters here (PDF). From 1910 to 1919, the Sparks World-Famous Shows wintered here. Those four to five months of having a circus in Salisbury's back yard left deep impressions, most of them good. (Mark Wineka, The Salisbury Post, Oct. 4, 2009) (Submitted on January 2, 2024, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.)

2. The Sparks Circus (1894-1931). The Sparks Circus was known as an eastern show throughout its career, rarely venturing as far west as Illinois, and usually confining its route to New England and the South. Its reputation in those areas was excellent. It was famous and recognized always as a "Sunday School" show, meaning that it was

Photographed By Duane and Tracy Marsteller, November 13, 2023

2. The Town that Loved the Circus Marker

clean, with no grift, gamblers or short-change artists. (Robert L. Parkinson, Chief Librarian and Historian of Circus World Museum; via Sparks Family Association) (Submitted on January 2, 2024, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.)

Credits. This page was last revised on January 2, 2024. It was originally submitted on January 2, 2024, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 53 times since then. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on January 2, 2024, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.