An interactive tour of Sarasota Circus History

The Greatest Show on Earth
Filmed at the circus' winter quarters and throughout Sarasota, the 1952 Academy Award Best Picture of the Year made its debut on January 31, 1952, at the Florida Theatre. Its marquee was tented like the entrance to the Big Top, and director Cecil B. DeMille joined stars Charlton Heston, Betty Hutton and Dorothy Lamour in a re-enactment of a movie's street parade down Main Street to the theater.

Winter Quarters
The Ringling Bros. and Barnum and Bailey Circus's winter quarters boosted tourism for Sarasota, and reaped a great deal of publicity for the state of Florida. By 1940, the winter quarters in Sarasota drew 100,000 visitors in one season, making it one of Florida's earliest and most heavily visited tourist attractions.

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.

Google Earth Tour:
Sarasota Circus Heritage

Take a Google Earth tour of some of Sarasota's circus-related landmarks.

Learn more about Google Earth or download here.

Download a PDF version of the circus tour map here

Already have Google Earth? Click on the link below to take the tour, then on the symbols to learn about the people and places that tell Sarasota's circus history.

Google Tour: Sarasota Circus Heritage