The area is indeed beautiful, but has become a huge tourist draw over the years. A large number of hotels with garish signs (although we have a special place in our hearts for flamingos),
Waterparks by the handful,
Roller coasters without number, and a Trojan Horse,
And even a post-apocalyptic White House,
All combine to extract $$ from the pockets of unsuspecting visitors. As we drove north out of the Dells, we saw the first color changes of the Fall season.
It was just a small patch, but it sure was beautiful!
We had just about exhausted Wisconsin Dells, not having any interest in riding jet boats or army surplus "Ducks" in the 60 degree weather with a brisk wind blowing. Most of the attractions were closed in any case, since it's after Labor Day and the kids are otherwise occupied. I suspect that the whole town will just about close up in another month or so.
Looking for something else to do, we happened on the World Circus Museum in Baraboo, WI, just 10 miles or so from the Dells. Baraboo was the home of the Ringling Brothers Circus back in the day, with the brothers and most of the staff having homes in town. Eventually they absorbed Barnum and Bailey, and became the largest circus of the age. From the late 1880's until the 1930's, the traveling circus was the best source of entertainment available, and was hugely successful. Also in the town of Baraboo at that time was the wagon shop of the Moeller Brothers, who made most of the circus wagons in use by circuses across the country. If the wagon was straightforward, they did all of the work, but as the wagons became more ornate, and as the demand increased, the Moeller Brothers had to contract out some of the coachwork to another local wagon builder. A victim of trucks and automobiles, the Moeller Brothers went out of business in the '30's.
Just as we checked into the museum, a magic show started. The magician was pretty good, with a number of illusions to amaze.
Donna was invited to participate in a card trick, where she choose a card (5 of Diamonds),
And the magician slid cards from the bottom of the deck to form a picture of the Mona Lisa holding the 5 of Diamonds! Applause all around! Although scared to death, Donna did a great job as an assistant!
One of the museums claim to fame is it's circus wagon collection. An onsite repair shop is busy restoring wagons, but more that two dozen have been refurbished and are on display.
One of the more interesting displays was a complete model of a circus loaded aboard train cars ready to transport to the next venue. The real Ringling Bros. trains were a mile and a third long, and contained everything needed to set up and have a circus!
Many of the wagons were very ornate,
And even the calliope wagon was an eye catcher!
The inside museum contains lots of memorabilia depicting circus days.
All the items necessary for a flea circus!
And a photo of activity under the Big Top!
Along with the worlds smallest man alongside a normal man.
One room was devoted to the worlds largest collection of circus posters:
It was a simpler day and a slower time, but the World Circus Museum evoked nostalgia from all of us that toured today.
Good show, Donna! Always knew you had a few 'tricks' up your sleeve (in this case a 5 of diamonds)!
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