WHERE IN AMERICA ARE YOU?
by Randy Karr

You are visiting the birthplace of the world-renowned Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus. In 1884, the Ringling Brothers started a circus in a small Wisconsin town. For the next 34 years, they used the buildings you see as the circus’ winter quarters. Most of these buildings, which made up historic Ringlingville, are now designated as a National Historic Landmark, including the Ring Barn, Elephant House, Ringling Animal House and Camel Barn. The circus was famous for its harnessed camel teams, which were used to pull circus wagons and carry regal sedan chairs.

These buildings are now part of Circus World, a museum renowned for having the world's largest collection of antique circus wagons. Circus wagons carried all the circus’ equipment, tents, animals and stage props. Because the roads they traveled in the early days were often rain-soaked and muddy, circus shows became known as mud shows. Later, circuses moved the entire circus on flat bed railroad cars. The largest circus trains had over 100 flat bed cars.

Where in America are you, anyway? Name the town located on the Baraboo River that was the birthplace of the “The Greatest Show on Earth.”

Click on the photo to reveal the answer.

©2008 Randy Karr