Threatened: Indiana Circus Barns
By Ashley Nanco | Online Only | June 5, 2009
A forgotten landmark of American circus history is in imminent danger. Located in Peru, Ind., the self-proclaimed Circus Capital of the World, the dilapidated barns of the Terrell Jacobs Wild Animal Circus Winter Quarters have been neglected for years.
Last month the Historic Landmarks Foundation of Indiana named the circus barns to its list of the state's 10 Most Endangered historic places.
"These barns have a lot of circus features left inside of them, and we wanted to make sure we could save them by putting them on our list," says Cathy Wright, director of Historic Landmarks' North Central Field Office. The foundation is currently working with locals to see if anything can be done to stabilize the site, whose owners can't afford to maintain the barns.
"It's still salvageable. It just needs an organized effort to save it," says Krieg Adkins, Miami County historian. "There's a lot of potential there to preserve the history of Miami County."
Terrell Jacobs, one of the most recognized animal trainers in circus history, worked for 16 different circuses during his 40-year career and was nicknamed the "Lion King" for his act that with 50 lions, tiger, and leopards.
After headlining with Ringling Bros., Jacobs purchased the property in Peru and built a house and two barns. The first barn, built in 1940 to house elephants, was followed by a second, in 1942, for lions, tigers, monkeys, and hippos. Its walls are still adorned with hand-painted decorations by Art Johns, an old-time circus-wagon painter.
"It looks like the circus just walked out of there. Everything is still on the desks, and papers still on the walls," Adkins says.
In the 1950s, the Kelly family purchased the eight-acre site; they still live there.
"This isn't just a small-town historical site; Terrell entertained millions of people all over the country with his animal acts," Adkins says. "It's not only a local landmark, but also a national landmark. It should be preserved for everyone in the country to see. It's an important place."
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Comments
Submitted by Matt at: June 7, 2009
I want more!
Submitted by bonbon at: June 6, 2009
it must be preserved. must-see. must give its importance. well done!