Downtown in Sacramento in Sacramento County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)
The Shrine/Polack Bros. Circus
Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, February 9, 2025
1. The Shrine/Polack Bros. Circus Marker
Bonnie Wehle Snyder, Paula J. Boghosian Sacramento Archives and Museum Collection Center
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Entertainment. A significant historical year for this entry is 1935.
Location. 38° 34.733′ N, 121° 29.193′ W. Marker is in Sacramento, California, in Sacramento County. It is in Downtown. It is on 15th Street north of J Street, on the right when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Sacramento CA 95814, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in Sacramento Valley and specifically in the Central Valley. It is also on the American Pacific Coast. Globally, it is in North America, on the Ring of Fire, in the Pacific Rim, in the Western Hemisphere, in the Western World, and in the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain and also Mexicos Alta California.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Arts and Entertainment at the Sacramento Memorial Auditorium (here, next to this marker); Sacramento Air Defense Filter Center (here, next to this marker); Banquet at Sacramento Memorial Auditorium (a few steps from this marker); Boxing at the Sacramento Memorial Auditorium (a few steps from this marker); The Messiah, 1928 (a few steps from this marker); Sacramento Memorial Auditorium (within shouting distance of this marker); Bell Labs Sea Plow (within shouting distance of this marker); First Commercial Modem (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Sacramento.
this page online
Regarding The Shrine/Polack Bros. Circus. The circus was a regular feature at the auditorium; a sign inside the auditorium today said that Sacramento school students would be given the day off school to attend. The auditorium was closed in 1986 due to concerns about its exposure to earthquakes, and the circus did not return when the renovated building reopened in 1996.
Also see . . . Polack Bros. Circus.
Excerpt: "In 1931 Polack and Louis Stern, (also a carnival [operator]) made the decision to start their own circus, as with many new shows the first few years were lean and difficult. I. J. Polack came up with the idea of operating their circus under the sponsorship of Shrine clubs and temples. They had found their niche, Stern & Polack played their first Shrine date for the Ben Ali Shrine in Sacramento, Calif. in 1935."(Submitted on February 13, 2025, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.)
Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, February 9, 2025
2. The Shrine/Polack Bros. Circus photo and marker
Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, February 7, 2025
3. 7 photos and markers along 15th Street
In all, 29 photos with small captions can be found around two adjoining AT&T buildings, along 14th, 15th and J Streets.
Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, February 7, 2025
4. Sacramento Memorial Auditorium
A small section of the AT&T building where this marker is found can be seen on the far left of the photo.
Credits. This page was last revised on February 13, 2025. It was originally submitted on February 13, 2025, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois. This page has been viewed 136 times since then and 10 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on February 13, 2025, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois. 4. submitted on February 11, 2025, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.
