Downtown Detroit in Wayne County, Michigan — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
Shrine Circus
Photographed By Paul Fehrenbach, November 11, 2015
1. Shrine Circus Marker
Inscription.
Shrine Circus. . Near this site, on February 26, 1906, some 3,000 spectators watched the nation's first Shrine Circus. Detroit's Moslem Shrine temple's one-ring show was the beginning of a major fund-raising venture for Shrine temples throughout the country. In 1907 Shrine temples in other cities began sponsoring circuses, and in 1925 the Shriners featured their first three-ring show. Originally operating for one week, Shrine Circuses appear across the nation throughout the year. Clyde Beatty and his wild animals were the main attraction in Detroit from 1925 to 1965. The Nelsons, aerialists and acrobats, and the Romigs, clowns, of Michigan were also featured performers during the early years. In the 1980s annual attendance at Shrine Circuses exceeded that of any other circus in America.
Near this site, on February 26, 1906, some 3,000 spectators watched the nation's first Shrine Circus. Detroit's Moslem Shrine temple's one-ring show was the beginning of a major fund-raising venture for Shrine temples throughout the country. In 1907 Shrine temples in other cities began sponsoring circuses, and in 1925 the Shriners featured their first three-ring show. Originally operating for one week, Shrine Circuses appear across the nation throughout the year. Clyde Beatty and his wild animals were the main attraction in Detroit from 1925 to 1965. The Nelsons, aerialists and acrobats, and the Romigs, clowns, of Michigan were also featured performers during the early years. In the 1980s annual attendance at Shrine Circuses exceeded that of any other circus in America.
Erected 1980 by Michigan History Division - Department of State. (Marker Number S552C.)
Location. 42° 19.846′ N, 83° 2.565′ W. Marker is in Detroit, Michigan, in Wayne County. It is in Downtown Detroit. Marker is at
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the intersection of Randolph Street and East Larned Street, in the median on Randolph Street. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Detroit MI 48226, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Credits. This page was last revised on February 12, 2023. It was originally submitted on October 29, 2009, by Ronald Claiborne of College Station, Texas. This page has been viewed 1,607 times since then and 110 times this year. Photos:1. submitted on March 11, 2021, by Paul Fehrenbach of Germantown, Wisconsin. 2, 3. submitted on October 29, 2009, by Ronald Claiborne of College Station, Texas. • Kevin W. was the editor who published this page.
