Since 1793, when the renowned British equestrian John Bill Rickets presented the first circus in America in a wooden amphitheatre in Philadelphia, it is estimated that there have been more than two thousand circuses in this country. The American circus did not have the upper-class distinction of the theatre, nor a distinctive British quality, which was a selling point to a newly independent people, but the growth and popularity of the American circus in the early years can also be attributed to a time when horsemanship and physical endurance were part of everyday living.
In the early days, circus performers operated their own shows, but as these shows became successful businessmen took them over. Farmers turned-menagerie-owners around Somers, New York, quickly realized that they could increase profits by combining the two most popular traveling attractions of the day, the menagerie and the circus. With the realization that fortunes could be made, many jumped on the bandwagon.
By the late 1870s, P. T. Barnum, who had semi-retired from a lifelong pursuit of spectacle, illusion, and marvels, realized the popularity and financial potential of the American circus. Together with his associates, William Coup and James A. Bailey, he elevated the circus to America’s favorite form of entertainment—the greatest, the grandest and the richest.
Many circuses stand out in the history of the circus, such as the Ringling Bros., Barnum & Bailey, Adam Forepaugh, Sells Bros., Cole Bros., and Hagenbeck-Wallace, but hundreds others have been lost in obscurity. Many circuses have disappeared over the years because of low attendance, retirements, weather, war, accidents, depressions, lack of money; those that weathered the storms besetting the circus were able to survive for years if not decades.
Through our research we have selected several hundred Circuses and made them accessible in our database. Below are listed, in alphabetical order are a representation of the circuses in America. Click a circus to view a brief description, or alternative names, related people, circus type and itineraries. Links will be provided to additional information within the database, including images and a historical timeline.
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Adam Forepaugh Circus, 1867-1894
Adam Forepaugh & Sells Bros. Circus, 1896-1907
Adam Forepaugh & Sells Bros. Circus, 1910-1911
Adams' California Menagerie, 1857-1857
Adams' California Menagerie, 1859-1860
Albany Amphitheatre, 1841-1841
Al F. Wheeler's Circus, 1915-1917
Al F. Wheeler's Circus, 1903-1910
Al F. Wheeler's Circus, 1924-1932
Al G. Barnes Circus, 1906-1938
Al G. Barnes & Sells-Floto Circus, 1906-1938
Al G. Kelly-Miller Bros. Circus,
Almond & Conley Circus, 1934-1934
American Circus Corporation, 1921-1929
American Racing Association, 1875-1875
Andress' Carnival of Novelties & Trained Animal Shows, 1872-1887
Andress' Circus, 1888-1890
Andress' & Showers' Circus, 1896-1896
Andrew Downie's Circus, 1909-1911
Andrew Downie's Circus, 1905-1905
Andrew Downie's Circus, 1924-1924
Antonio Bros. and James Melville's Australian Circus, 1861-1861
Antonio Bros. Circus, 1862-1862
Antonio Bros. Circus, 1860-1860
Antonio & Carroll Circus, 1857-1857
Antonio & Co.'s Circus,
Antonio & Wilder's Circus, 1858-1859
Art Mix Circus, 1938-1938
A. Turner & Co.'s Circus, 1849-1854
A. Turner & Co.'s Circus, 1827-1827
A. Turner & Co.'s Circus, 1830-1843
Austin Bros. Circus, 1887-1887
Austin Bros. Circus, 1945-1945