In July of 1914, elephants and other circus animals paraded through downtown Hillsdale as the Ringling Brothers and Barnum and Bailey Circus walked the animals from the train station to the Hillsdale County Fairgrounds.
Hillsdale was often the last stop in Michigan for popular troupes before they made the trek to Richmond, Va. with their entire retinue.
The fairgrounds was a popular location that merited visits from the Ringling Brothers and Barnum and Bailey Circus in 1915, as well as visits from other popular entertainers, like William “Buffalo Bill” Cody in August of 1899.
After arriving by train, many such groups would march elephants, horses, and other animals down the narrow, dirt roads of the town center on the direct route to the fairgrounds. The visiting troupes would perform there prior to continuing their tour around the country.
