McGregor in Clayton County, Iowa — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)

McGregor / Ringling Brothers

Photographed By Keith L, June 18, 2011

1. McGregor / Ringling Brothers Marker

Inscription. McGregor "Royal is my race," was the motto of Clan MacGregor of which McGregor's founder, Alexander MacGregor, was a descendant. It was 1837 when Alexander began a ferry boat operation on "MacGregor's Landing" that became a thriving town of 5500. When steamboats gave way to faster transportation, McGregor underwent the metamorphosis to a more quiet community.

Ringling Brothers The Ringling Brothers' Circus' foundation was laid when Augustus Ringling's sons gave penny shows here. The Ringling home still stands at the bottom of the hill on the way to Pikes Peak.
Iowa Sesquicentennial Project 1846 - 1996

Erected 1996 by Iowa Sesquicentennial Project.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Entertainment • Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical year for this entry is 1837.

Location. 43° 1.486′ N, 91° 10.559′ W. Marker is in McGregor, Iowa, in Clayton County. Marker is on A Street / Dr. Clifford Smith Street west of Main Street (Iowa Highway 76), on the right when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Mc Gregor IA 52157, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Bat Caves (approx. half a mile away); Site of the Second Fort Crawford

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(approx. 1.9 miles away in Wisconsin); Black Hawk's Surrender (approx. 1.9 miles away in Wisconsin); William Beaumont, M. D. (approx. 1.9 miles away in Wisconsin); Pikes Peak Overlook Landscape Interpretation (approx. 2 miles away); Point of Discovery (approx. 2 miles away); Smoke stacks and paddle wheels (approx. 2.1 miles away in Wisconsin); Fort Crawford (approx. 2.1 miles away in Wisconsin). Touch for a list and map of all markers in McGregor.

More about this marker. The Ringling brothers, founders of one of America's largest circuses, were born in McGregor, Iowa and raised in Baraboo, Wisconsin.

Also see . . .
1. McGregor, Iowa. Wikipedia entry. "During the 1870s, the population of McGregor exploded to over 5,500 as the city became the busiest shipping port west of Chicago." (Submitted on July 19, 2011.)

2. Ringling Brothers Circus. Wikipedia entry. "In 1907 it acquired the Barnum & Bailey Circus, merging them in 1919 to become Ringling Brothers Barnum and Bailey Circus, promoted as The Greatest Show on Earth." (Submitted on July 19, 2011.)

Photographed By Keith L, June 18, 2011

2. McGregor / Ringling Brothers Marker

Photographed By Keith L, June 18, 2011

3. McGregor / Ringling Brothers Marker

Nearby Plaque image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Keith L, June 18, 2011

4. Nearby Plaque

This street is named in honor of Dr. Clifford Clay Smith, M.D. in recognition of his selfless dedication and compassionate care of the McGregor area residents, he was named Rural Practitioner of the Year by the National Rural Health Association.

Dr. Clifford Clay Smith, M.D. Plaque image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Keith L, June 18, 2011

5. Dr. Clifford Clay Smith, M.D. Plaque

Triangle Park
[Main Street and A Street]

Display near Plaque image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Keith L, June 18, 2011

6. Display near Plaque

Triangle early fire alarm first used in 1874.

Triangle Park image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Keith L, June 18, 2011

7. Triangle Park

The triangle alarm is beyond the small pine tree.

Credits. This page was last revised on November 16, 2020. It was originally submitted on July 19, 2011, by Keith L of Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin. This page has been viewed 1,753 times since then and 83 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7. submitted on July 19, 2011, by Keith L of Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin.