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Ringling Brothers Circus Winter Quarters

Baraboo, Wisconsin
County of Sauk.
Water, Brian, Lynn and East Streets
National Register Number: 69000032
 Resource type: District.
Property type: Historic District: Historical. The threat level was Satisfactory in
2008.
Congressional District: WI-2 Certified Local Government: NO
This NHL offers public access.
Please contact the NHL directly for visitor information.
Current use/information: Museum Complex: (608) 356-8341; 24-hour info(608) 356-0800; http://circusworldmuseum.com/museum.htm.

Statement of Significance (as of designation - August 4, 1969):
From 1884 until 1918, these structures served as the winter headquarters for the Ringling Brothers Circus. By 1900, the Ringling Brothers had built their circus into one of the largest on the circuit; in 1907, with the purchase of the Barnum and Bailey Circus, they owned the largest circus combine in history. The two circuses were operated separately until 1919, when the Brothers consolidated their holdings.

Condition:
Site experienced minor flooding this past spring. Was able to avoid serious damage to buildings through mitigation efforts and due to the nature of the base of most of the historic buildings being made of stone and/or concrete.

Site has obtained one half of the estimated $200,000 needed to prepare a site assessment and resotoration study as the first step in a long term plan to restore most of the historic buildings to their original state.


Comments and questions about the database may be directed to NHL_info@nps.gov