Girard in Erie County, Pennsylvania — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)

Circus History

Photographed by Mike Wintermantel, June 27, 2015

1. Circus History Marker

Inscription. America's most famous clown of the Nineteenth Century, Dan Rice (1823-1900), had the winter quarters of his circus in Girard from 1852 to 1875. The nearby Soldiers' Monument was donated by the versatile clown and showman, whose home stood opposite.

Erected 1974 by Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Entertainment. In addition, it is included in the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission (PHMC) series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1852.

Location. 42° 0.043′ N, 80° 19.019′ W. Marker is in Girard, Pennsylvania, in Erie County. It is at the intersection of Main Street (U.S. 20) and South Park Row, on the right when traveling east on Main Street. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Girard PA 16417, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Northwestern Pennsylvania

and in Greater Erie. It is also in the American Northeast,

on the Great Lakes,

in the Mid-Atlantic,

in Appalachia,

and specifically in Northern Appalachia. Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Viceroyalty of New France,

the Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) Confederacy,

and one of the original Thirteen Colonies.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 8 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Erie County Soldiers' Monument (a few steps from this marker); Charlotte Elizabeth Battles (within shouting distance of this marker); About This Stone Pillar (within shouting distance of this marker); Abraham Lincoln in Lake City, PA (Girard Station) (approx. 1.7 miles away); Erie Extension Canal

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(approx. 3½ miles away); Old State Line (approx. 4.6 miles away); Veterans Memorial (approx. 6.6 miles away); a different marker also named Veterans Memorial (approx. 7.8 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Girard.

Also see . . .
1. Dan Rice at FindAGrave.com. (Submitted on June 27, 2015, by Mike Wintermantel of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.)
2. Dan Rice-American Clown. Encyclopedia Brittanica (Submitted on June 27, 2015, by Mike Wintermantel of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.)

Photographed by Mike Wintermantel, June 27, 2015

2. Circus History Marker

With the Soldier's Memorial donated by Dan Rice.

Soldier's Memorial plaque image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mike Wintermantel, June 27, 2015

3. Soldier's Memorial plaque

Erected by Dan Rice
Inaugurated Nov. 1, 1865

Photographed by Thomas M. Easterly, circa 1840

4. Dan Rice

Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on June 27, 2015, by Mike Wintermantel of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. This page has been viewed 881 times since then and 35 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on June 27, 2015, by Mike Wintermantel of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.