Charles Edward Ringling - Sarasota, Florida - Grave of a Famous Person on Waymarking.com

Charles Edward Ringling was born in McGregor, Iowa on December 2, 1863. He, along with his brothers founded the Ringling Brothers Circus in 1884. The success of the Ringling Brothers allowed them to buy out many smaller circuses and eventually they bought their biggest competitor, the Barnum and Bailey Circus. In 1919 the two shows merged, forming the Ringling Brothers Barnum & Bailey Circus and was known as “The Greatest Show on Earth. Charles eventually relocated to the Sarasota area where he bought large plots of land and was instrumental in the commercial development of the Sarasota area. He built a home in Sarasota and was one of the area’s most popular citizens while still being heavily involved in the circus until his death on December 3, 1926. He is resting in a large private family mausoleum in the Manasota Burial Park.
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Description: Charles Ringling was born on December 2, 1863 in McGregor, Iowa. He was one of seven brothers who founded the Ringling Brothers Circus. His interest in the circus when he was in his late teens and began performing in the area around his hometown. Eventually, Charles and several of his brothers founded the Ringling Brothers Circus and started performing in tents throughout the Midwest. Each of the brothers had specific duties, Charles oversaw production and developed a close relationship with the performers. The success of the Ringling Brothers Circus allowed them to buy their largest competitor, the Barnum & Bailey Circus in 1907. The two shows were eventually merged in 1919 forming the Ringling Brothers Barnum and Bailey Circus which became known as the Greatest Show on Earth. The Success of the Circus allowed Charles to relocate to the Sarasota Area where he began buying large plots of land where he built a home. He eventually donated some of the land to the county. He was a popular figure in the region and was instrumental in the commercial development of the Sarasota Area. He and his wife Edith built a home in Sarasota which they called their Retreat. Due to their travel and involvement in the circus it took several years before the home was finally completed in 1926 just a few months before Charles passed away at the age of 63 on December 3, 1926. He is resting the private family mausoleum, which is the larges structure in the Manasota Burial Park. Date of birth: 12/02/1863 Date of death: 12/03/1926 Area of notoriety: Entertainment Marker Type: Monument Setting: Outdoor Visiting Hours/Restrictions: Daily - Dawn to Dusk Fee required?: No Web site: [Web Link]

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