Petersburg in Menard County, Illinois — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
Site of the First "Circus Barn"
Photographed by Thomas Smith, September 22, 2025
1. Site of the First "Circus Barn" Marker
Inscription.
Site of the First "Circus Barn". . Owned by the widowed mother of Harry Lamkin in 1883, the barn - redesigned and heated - allowed Harry to practice during the winter and become one of the great equestrian acts in the circus world. Using a harness he invented, which attached to the performer and the roof of the barn, Lamkin taught his younger half brother Edward Shipp to perform as an equestrian. The barn soon attracted other circus performers from across the country and circus buffs began clamoring to watch them perform. The brothers obliged and set up bleachers and charged admission. Tickets were sold from a window of their mother's home located next door. Today the Lamkin home is owned and occupied by the Menard County Abstract Company. In time, the barn became too small and Edward Shipp constructed a larger barn two blocks north
Owned by the widowed mother of Harry Lamkin
in 1883, the barn - redesigned and heated - allowed Harry to practice
during the winter and become one of the great equestrian acts in
the circus world. Using a harness he invented, which attached to
the performer and the roof of the barn, Lamkin taught his younger
half brother Edward Shipp to perform as an equestrian. The barn
soon attracted other circus performers from across the country
and circus buffs began clamoring to watch them perform. The
brothers obliged and set up bleachers and charged admission.
Tickets were sold from a window of their mother's home located
next door. Today the Lamkin home is owned and occupied by the
Menard County Abstract Company. In time, the barn became
too small and Edward Shipp constructed a larger barn two
blocks north
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Entertainment. A significant historical year for this entry is 1883.
Location. 40° 0.668′ N, 89° 50.85′ W. Marker is in Petersburg, Illinois, in Menard County. It is at the intersection of East Douglas Street and S Fifth Street, on the right when traveling east on East Douglas Street. Across from Los Rancheros. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 218 E Douglas Street, Petersburg IL 62675, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in Central Illinois, specifically in the Illinois River Valley, and in Greater Springfield. It is also in the American Midwest 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 walking
Credits. This page was last revised on October 2, 2025. It was originally submitted on September 26, 2025, by Thomas Smith of Waterloo, Ill. This page has been viewed 82 times since then and 35 times this year. Photos:1, 2. submitted on September 26, 2025, by Thomas Smith of Waterloo, Ill. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.
