Delavan in Walworth County, Wisconsin — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
Historic Circus District
Photographed by Susan Van Den Bosch, May 22, 2025
1. Historic Circus District Marker
This area was a hub of circus activity during the 1847-1895 period when 26 circuses spent their winters in Delavan. Built in 1848, the three-story building north of this park at 117 Park Place was the Park Hotel. The Park Hotel housed many circus performers and others with connections to the circus. In 1874, balloonist Rodney A Palmer, while making an ascension from the park, struck the cornice of the hotel and sustained injuries that later caused his death. In the 1880s, famed magician and illusionist Harry Houdini, as a 12 year old runaway slept in the hotels basement livery stable.
To the south, the three story building at 124 E. Walworth was quarters for the 1879 Dr. George Morrison Coliseum Circus, which featured Al and John Ringling as performers. Circus wagon and blacksmith shops were once adjacent to the park. A watering trough at the east end of the park was utilized by various animals. This park was the assembly area for many circus parades held in the past. The giraffe on this monument is a tribute to the many circuses that once quartered in Delavan.
Erected 2020 by Delavan Historic Preservation Society.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Entertainment • Industry & Commerce • Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical year for this entry is 1848.
Location.
this page online
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 4 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Delavan's Circus Colony (within shouting distance of this marker); "19th Century Circus Capital of the Nation" (within shouting distance of this marker); Delavans Historic Brick Street (within shouting distance of this marker); Wisconsin's First School for the Deaf (approx. 0.4 miles away); Civil War Tree (approx. half a mile away); Birthplace of The Greatest Show on Earth (approx. half a mile away); Veterans Memorial (approx. 1.3 miles away); a different marker also named Veterans Memorial (approx. 3½ 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.
Photographed by Susan Van Den Bosch, May 22, 2025
2. Historic Circus District Marker
Refurbished monument and location.
Photographed by Susan Van Den Bosch, May 22, 2025
3. Historic Circus District Marker
In the background of this photo is the current building occupying the 117 Park Place mentioned in the marker.
Photographed by Susan Van Den Bosch, February 19, 2017
4. Historic Circus District Marker
Former location and old marker. This monument was rededicated in 2020 when Tower Park was redone.
Photographed by Susan Van Den Bosch, February 19, 2017
5. Historic Circus District Marker
Original marker. Rededicated in 2020 when Tower Park was redone.
Credits. This page was last revised on July 26, 2025. It was originally submitted on May 22, 2025, by Susan Van Den Bosch of Almond, Wisconsin. This page has been viewed 257 times since then and 34 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on May 22, 2025, by Susan Van Den Bosch of Almond, Wisconsin. • J. Makali Bruton was the editor who published this page.
