Ricketts' Circus

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

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.

under a mile from where Merchant Maulsby lived in the 1770s

what this marker records dates to 1793, inside Merchant Maulsby's years here

From one family's 77-marker roster

Digital Commonwealth, Boston Public Library

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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.