Ricketts' Circus

Ricketts' Circus is a Pennsylvania historical marker in Philadelphia, Philadelphia County, dedicated 1982.

Philadelphia County · dedicated 1982 · S 12th & Market Sts., at Loew's Hotel, Philadelphia

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America's first circus building was opened here at 12th and Market Streets, April 3, 1793. On that day the English equestrian John Bill Ricketts gave America's first complete circus performance. President Washington attended his show later that season.

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under a mile from where William Gabby lived in the 1760s

what this marker records spans 1777 to 1789, overlapping William Gabby's years here

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Marker data: Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission via data.pa.gov

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On the National Register nearby

Philadelphia Savings Fund Society Building100 ft

Places within about 300 feet of this marker that are listed on the National Register of Historic Places. A nearby listing is not always the marker's own subject.