In the past, large traveling shows were an important part of American life. No matter where you lived, at least once a year a fair or a circus would set up in an empty lot and bring a whiff of the outside world to you. Washington D.C. was no exception in this regard. And for a few heady years, the empty lot in question was on Capitol Hill, just a few blocks from Lincoln Park.
For years, the go-to place for traveling shows in the District was at L and North Capitol Streets. As the city grew, what had been open land became built up, and new exhibition grounds were needed. On April 24, 1901, the newspapers of Washington proclaimed that Buffalo Bill’s Wild West show was on its way. It was delayed by heavy rains in Baltimore, and the parade announced in that morning’s Post failed to happen, but the evening show went on as planned. The spectacle was to happen at the “new grounds at Thirteenth and D streets northeast.” All papers assured their readers that “adequate” street cars would be available for the use of the spectators, and so, the Post added, “it will be easily possible for residents of even the most distant sections of the city to reach the exhibition grounds.”
Those that came out for the matinee performance were disappointed. Buffalo Bill’s best efforts had been thwarted by the steady rain that fell that day, and in spite of sending out men to announce that the performance was canceled, several hundred showed up to find an incomplete setup. The evening’s performance was, however, a great triumph. While Annie Oakley and Johnny Baker showed their prowess with firearms, riders showed their skill on bucking broncos, a breeches buoy was shown off, and cavalrymen rode their mounts, a steady rain fell. The canvas that had been stretched out to cover the spectators held, and they were able to enjoy the show in relative comfort.
A few weeks later, the Ringling Brothers’ Circus held court in the same place. This time, the great parade went off without a hitch, and “[b]usiness was suspended” throughout the city, according to the Post. The performances, held on May 6 and 7, were another great success. Opening with a “patriotic act” in which “performers attired as English, French, German, and Japanese soldiers marched in with bands, took stations, and attended the entry of soldiers in blue and gray, led by men made up to represent Gen. Grant and Gen. Lee, all uniting under a great American flag.” Aftwerwards, the usual acrobats, riders, and trained elephants took their turns.
Ad for Ringling Bros. Circus from May 5, 1901, Washington Times (LOC)
For all the success of these two shows, these grounds were not used for long. The following year, only Adam Forepaugh and Sells Brothers circus used the grounds, and by the time the Barnum and Bailey circus came to town in 1903, they camped out at 15th and H NE. In the meantime, the grounds that had been used for spectacles remained empty, and it was not until the First World War that Harry Kite turned Square 1031 into the quiet Capitol Hill rowhouse neighborhood that it is today.
Robert Pohl will be discussing his latest book this Tuesday at Washingtoniana, Wednesday at a CHRS Preservation Cafe and Friday at 12:30 at Barnes & Noble.