Winter Quarters
N 27° 20.854 W 082° 29.816
17R E 351931 N 3025821
The Ringling Brothers Circus spent their winters here from 1927 to 1960. Just inside Glen Oaks Estates. One would think this has companion markers in Bridgeport and Venice that continue the story.
Waymark Code: WM5ZT7
Location: Florida, United States
Date Posted: 03/08/2009
Views: 13
The Ringling Winter Quarters moved from Bridgeport, Conn in 1927. The circus helped to bring prosperity to a city then experiencing economic hard times. The circus trains leaving each year was an event looked forward to by all. The tragic firs at Hartford, Conn on July 6th 1944 brought the circus home early that year. Here the big blue tent known as the "Big top" unfurled its flags in 1951 when Cecil B DeMille produced his epic movie "The Greatest Show on Earth". Today, Sarasota is still the home of countless circus performers. The Winter Quarters moved from here to Venice, Florida in 1960.
Just east of this marker was the Winter Quarters of the Ringling Bros. & Barnum & Bailey Circus, a favorite winter attraction for tourists. Occupying what was previously the County Fair Grounds, the show spread over many acres with its "Big Top", menageries, practice rings. workshops and railroad yards. The show was a spectcle of lights, sawdust rings and a music all its own. Here clowns, acrobats, and animal acts trained for the long summer months on the "road", performers from all over the world entertained children of all ages.
Marker Number: none
Date: 1982
County: Sarasota
Marker Type: Roadside
Sponsored or placed by: Sarasota Historical Commission
Website: Not listed
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