Birthplace of “The Greatest Show on Earth” Historical Marker
N 42° 37.819 W 088° 38.338
16T E 365610 N 4721065
The Birthplace of “The Greatest Show on Earth” Historical Marker is located in the City of Delavan parking lot at 218 S 7th St.
Waymark Code: WM2J22
Location: Wisconsin, United States
Date Posted: 11/09/2007
Views: 34
"At this site, March 20, 1871, the first P.T. Barnum Circus was loaded on rail cars and transported to Brooklyn, NY where it made its initial performance on April 10, 1871. The circus was conceived and organized in Delavan by William C. Coup and Dan Costello. Using various titles for several years, it eventually became known as “The Greatest Show on Earth”. In 1888, James A. Bailey became Barnum’s sole partner and the circus’ title was changed to Barnum and Bailey. Following the deaths of Barnum in 1891 and Bailey in 1906, their circus was sold to the Ringling brothers of Baraboo in 1907. It was operated as a separate circus until combined with Ringling Brothers in 1919. On September 6, 1970, Ringling Brothers and Barnum and Bailey Circus returned to this site to commemorate the 100th year of its founding.
Erected 2000"
County: Walworth
Location: Other
MarkerID: 440
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Visit Instructions:
- A picture of the marker with your GPSr or you holding your GPSr.