Belfast in Waldo County, Maine — The American Northeast (New England)
The Circus Comes to Town / Le cirque arrive !
Belfast, Maine
— The Museum in the Streets —
Photographed By James True, May 29, 2012
1. The Circus Comes to Town Marker
Circuses and Caravans of wild animals appeared in Belfast as early as 1816. In 1885, Barnum's "Greatest Show on Earth," featuring 16 elephants including Jumbo, pitched its tent on Congress Street where over 8,000 people enjoyed the spectacle, despite ankle-deep mud. Six locomotives pulled the circus train into the station where it was met with fanfare. In recent history, when the circus came to town, it was not unusual to see elephants strolling through downtown on their way to a refreshing dip at the town landing. James Cook, a fugitive slave, arrived in Belfast in 1820, and for many years worked as a barber offering haircutting, shaving and dyeing services. In 1847 he built the double-fronted brick store, shown here with circus animals passing in front (c. 1900).
Erected 2004 by The Museum in the Streets®. (Marker Number 2.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Animals • Entertainment. In addition, it is included in the The Museum in the Streets®: Belfast, Maine series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1816.
Location.
this page online
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Main and High / Au carrefour de main et de high (within shouting distance of this marker); The Windsor Hotel / L'Hôtel Windsor (within shouting distance of this marker); Making a Living / Gagner sa vie (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); The Silver Screen / Le septième art (about 500 feet away); Belfast, Maine (about 500 feet away); Belfast City Hall / L'Hôtel de Ville de Belfast (about 500 feet away); The Opera House / L'Opéra (about 600 feet away); Post Office Square / La place de la poste (about 600 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Belfast.
More about this marker. Marker #2 (of 30) in "The Museum in the Streets". The text on the Marker is in English, followed by a French translation.
Photographed By James True, September 1, 2012
2. The Circus Comes to Town Marker
Photographed By James True, May 29, 2012
3. The Circus Comes to Town Marker
The buildings that can be seen in the photo on the marker as they appear today.
Credits. This page was last revised on December 2, 2021. It was originally submitted on September 11, 2012, by James True of Newark, New Jersey. This page has been viewed 589 times since then and 26 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on September 11, 2012, by James True of Newark, New Jersey. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.
Editor’s want-list for this marker. Transcription of the French text • Can you help?
