Ringling Brothers Circus Monument

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8095 182nd Ave SE
Wahpeton, ND 58075

The Ringling Brothers Circus Monument, located in Riverside Cemetery south of Wahpeton, North Dakota, commemorates the tragic deaths of two circus workers, Charles Smith and Charles Walters, who were killed by a lightning strike while erecting the main tent in 1897. This poignant memorial, a stone replica of the shattered tent pole, serves as a reminder of the close-knit community within the circus world and the enduring legacy of those who have passed.

Established through the efforts of fellow circus workers and the Knights of Pythias fraternal order, the monument was funded by contributions from the circus community and unveiled during a funeral attended by thousands. Today, it remains a site of remembrance for circus workers who visit to pay their respects, reflecting the deep bonds formed in the circus family.

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4.512 reviews
Photo of georgedeang
Unique
12/23/2020

While visiting Wahpeton I checked on the top 10 things to see. The Ringling Brothers Monument was l...

Photo of 953sandyo
I thought there would be more
7/1/2020

I thought there would be more to this monument(more explanation) There is no parking area that we ...

Photo of Tracy C
Somber reminder of lost lives...
9/21/2019

You can google the story behind this memorial. It’s very touching. Google address is slightly off, b...

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United StatesNorth DakotaWahpetonRingling Brothers Circus Monument

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