St. Martha's Catholic Church Dubbed "the church that the circus built," St. Martha's chapel was funded by charity circus performances. Many circus families remain active at St. Martha's, which now boasts authentic circus wagon wheels as part of its official religious décor.
Legendary Performer Unus, a Ringling performer who was famous for his one-finger handstand, joined Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus in 1948 and retired in 1965. He was the owner of the Southland Hotel, which still stands at 2229 N. Tamiami Trail. A lighted sign with an inverted gloved hand stood outside the hotel.
Ringling Circus Museum The Circus Museum celebrates the American circus, its history and unique relationship to Sarasota. Established in 1948, the museum was the first in the county to document the rich history of the circus. The museam boasts features such as colossal parade and baggage wagons, sequined costumes, and a sideshow banner line that document the circus of the past and of today.
Slideshows
Watch fun slideshows on people past and present who have contributed to Sarasota's circus
heritage, and the animals and props that made their own contributions.
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Circus People
Circus Animals and Equipment