St. Thomas in Elgin County, Ontario — Central Canada (North America)

Jumbo

Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, August 11, 2014

1. Jumbo Marker

Inscription. On September 15, 1885, the giant African elephant, star of the Barnum and Bailey Circus, met a untimely death when struck in St. Thomas by a Grand Trunk locomotive. To commemorate the one hundredth anniversary of this tragic event, the citizens of St. Thomas and Elgin County erected this monument which was designed and constructed in Sussex, New Brunswick by Winston Bronnum. The city of St. Thomas provided the site. Listed on these plaques are the names of the Jumbo Centennial Committee members and donors who made this tribute to Jumbo possible.

Click on the image to read the list of donors.

Erected 1985 by Jumbo Centennial Committee.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Animals. A significant historical month for this entry is September 1814.

Location. 42° 46.731′ N, 81° 12.495′ W. Marker is in St. Thomas, Ontario, in Elgin County. It is on Talbot Street close to King Street, on the right when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 70 Talbot Street, St Thomas ON N5R 3C9, Canada. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the Southwest Ontario Area

and in Southwestern Ontario.

It is also in Central Canada.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once a British colony,

the Viceroyalty of New France,

the Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) Confederacy,

and Rupert’s Land.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Dr. Charles Duncombe (1791-1867) (about 90 meters away, measured in a direct line); St. Thomas’ Church 1824 (approx. 0.2 kilometers away); McArthur’s Raid, November 11, 1814

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(approx. 0.2 kilometers away); Elgin County Courthouse/ Palais de Justice Elgin County (approx. 0.6 kilometers away); a different marker also named Elgin County Courthouse/ Palais de Justice Elgin County (approx. 0.6 kilometers away); Col. the Hon. Thomas Talbot 1771-1853 (approx. 0.6 kilometers away); Elgin County Courthouse/ Palais de Justice Elgin County (2014) (approx. 0.6 kilometers away); Elgin County Courthouse/ Palais de Justice Elgin County (1898) (approx. 0.7 kilometers away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in St. Thomas.

Also see . . . Jumbo the Circus Elephant and His Tragic Death - Awesome Stories. Captured in Africa, Jumbo spent time in London - where he was greatly loved - until Phineas T. Barnum purchased him to star in his circus. Londoners were most distressed to see him leave, in 1882. (Submitted on October 27, 2014, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California.)

Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, August 11, 2014

2. Jumbo Marker

Jumbo and his keeper Matthew Scott image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Unknown, n/a

3. Jumbo and his keeper Matthew Scott

The tragic death of Jumbo image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Unknown, circa 1885

4. The tragic death of Jumbo

Photographed by Unknown, September 15, 1885

5. Jumbo dead

Jumbo's Post-mortem Career image. Click for full size.

The Strobridge Lithograph Company, 1888

6. Jumbo's Post-mortem Career

...The colossal and prodigious frame of the largest and noblest animal that ever lived. The only elephant skeleton ever publicly exhibited. A strange & amazing show without a parellel [sic]. Mounted by Prof. Henry A. Ward, the distinguished naturalist & scientist of Rochester, N.Y.

Credits. This page was last revised on January 24, 2022. It was originally submitted on October 27, 2014, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. This page has been viewed 992 times since then and 21 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on October 27, 2014, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. 6. submitted on October 28, 2014. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.