Welcome to Delavan, Wisconsin, a small town with a big connection to the world of entertainment history. Delavan holds a unique place in the history of the American circus, serving as the birthplace of what would eventually become the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus, famously known as ‘The Greatest Show on Earth.’
It all began in 1867 when two seasoned circus men, Dan Castello and William Cameron Coup, founded Dan Castello’s Great Circus & Egyptian Caravan right here in Delavan. This ambitious endeavor featured eight camels that were part of the U.S. Army’s experimental Camel Corps, a bold and eclectic mix of entertainment for the time. The circus traveled the Upper Midwest, impressing audiences by both land and water.
In 1870, they convinced P.T. Barnum, a renowned impresario known for his flair for the spectacular, to join their venture. This collaboration marked the beginning of P.T. Barnum’s Grand Traveling Museum, Menagerie, Caravan and Hippodrome. Barnum, an already famous figure in the United States, brought with him a knack for captivating the public’s imagination.
The circus gained momentum and was rebranded in 1872 as ‘The Greatest Show on Earth,’ now traveling by train, thanks to Coup’s innovative railcar designs that made transportation more efficient. This innovation allowed the circus to reach new audiences and expand its influence, traveling as far as the West Coast thanks to the newly completed transcontinental railroad.
Delavan’s role in circus history doesn’t end there. In the early 1870s, James A. Bailey, another significant figure, joined James E. Cooper to create a rival circus, which eventually merged with Barnum’s, forming the Barnum & Bailey Circus. This merger brought about a new era in circus entertainment, with Delavan being a key location in its origin story.
Today, Delavan’s connection to the circus is a celebrated part of its history, remembered for its contribution to shaping a form of entertainment that brought joy and wonder to countless spectators across the globe.
