Downtown Detroit in Wayne County, Michigan — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

James A. Bailey

Photographed by Pat Filippone, September 25, 2015

1. James A. Bailey Marker

Inscription. Circus entrepreneur James A. McGinnis was born near this site on July 4, 1847. At fourteen he joined a circus and adopted the name "Bailey". Developing a striking talent for advertising and management, he bought the Cooper & Bailey Shows which toured, under canvas, the world over. Further success came with Bailey's 1880 purchase of "Little America", the first elephant born in this country. The native Detroiter joined forces with celebrated showman Phineas T. Barnum in 1881. Overshadowed by his more flamboyant partner, Bailey guided the circus to many triumphs. Unlike Barnum who asserted, "The public likes to be humbugged,"Bailey said, "Give the people the best...and they'll reward you". Barnum died in 1891, and Bailey ran the mammoth three-ring show until his death in 1906. The circus was then sold to Ringling Brothers which lives on as Ringling Brothers and Barnum & Bailey.

Erected 1978 by Michigan History Division, Department of State. (Marker Number 504.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Entertainment • Industry & Commerce. A significant historical date for this entry is July 4, 1847.

Location. 42° 19.69′ N,

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83° 2.927′ W. Marker is in Detroit, Michigan, in Wayne County. It is in Downtown Detroit. It is on Washington Blvd. just north of Larned Street. Marker is on the wall of Cobo Arena. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Detroit MI 48226, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Southeast Michigan.

It is also in the American Midwest.

Globally, it is in North America,

on the Great Lakes,

in the Western Hemisphere,

in the Western World,

and in the Anglosphere.

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

and also the Northwest Territory.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Fort Pontchartrain (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); State Savings Bank (about 500 feet away); Comerica Incorporated (about 600 feet away); Fort Lernoult (about 600 feet away); Detroit Club (about 800 feet away); Ford Building (approx. 0.2 miles away); Sainte Anne's Catholic Church (approx. 0.2 miles away); Veterans' Memorial Building (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map

Photographed by Pat Filippone, September 25, 2015

2. James A. Bailey Marker

Cobo Arena

of all markers in Detroit.

Credits. This page was last revised on February 12, 2023. It was originally submitted on November 26, 2015, by Pat Filippone of Stockton, California. This page has been viewed 830 times since then and 41 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on November 26, 2015, by Pat Filippone of Stockton, California. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.