Historic Circus Wagons Return to Circus World in Baraboo, Wis.

Beloved Ringling Bros.-commissioned Bell Wagon and others will be on display to the public when Circus World opens for the Spring season on April 21, 2025 

Madison, Wis. — Circus World, a National Historic Landmark and destination attraction for circus history and arts, proudly announces the triumphant return of four historic circus wagons, including the famed Ringling Bros. Bell Wagon. These remarkable pieces of circus history were last on display at Circus World in 2013 and they join more than 250 other historic wagons housed at the site, which is home to the world’s largest collection of vintage circus wagons. The returning wagons are on loan to Circus World by Feld Entertainment, Inc. based out of Florida.

The centerpiece of the returning collection is the beloved Ringling Bros. Bell Wagon, a 19th-century innovation that boasts nine bells weighing roughly 4,300 pounds. This storied wagon was commissioned by the Ringling Brothers for the 1892 circus season. It is the first-known wagon specially created for their iconic traveling show and is believed to be the last remaining circus bell wagon in the world.

The Wisconsin-made marvel was built and assembled by the Baraboo-based H. Moeller & Sons Wagon Works. The intricate carvings were crafted by Milwaukee Ornamental Carving Co., and the bells created by Centennial Bell Foundry of Milwaukee. The imposing wagon measures 18 feet 5 inches in length, 7 feet 5 inches in width, and stands 10 feet tall, with a total weight of 10,380 pounds. Unique among circus wagons, it allows an operator seated at the back to play its bells, which for decades resonated through parade routes and touring shows with melodies such as My Old Kentucky Home, Rock of Ages, and Nearer My God to Thee.

Remarkably, the Bell Wagon has been owned by the same show for 133 years, the longest single ownership of a wagon in circus history. Irvin Feld acquired the wagon with his purchase of the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus in 1967, and the Feld organization first loaned the wagon to Circus World from 1984 to 2013, sponsoring a complete restoration of the wagon in 1985 while it was onsite in Baraboo.

“We are beyond thrilled to welcome the iconic Ringling Bros. Bell Wagon back home to Baraboo, where its incredible journey began,” said Georgia Stephenson, Operations Manager, Circus World. “We can’t wait for guests to experience the grandeur of the Bell Wagon and the three other historic wagons that returned together. Each wagon contributed to the spectacular story of the American circus that we celebrate every day at Circus World.”

Also returning to Circus World grounds include:

• The Hagenbeck-Wallace Lion’s Bride Tableau Wagon, built in 1905 by the Cincinnati-based Bode Wagon Co. for the Carl Hagenbeck Trained Animal Show. It remained with the Hagenbeck-Wallace Circus as a lead bandwagon until 1925 and was later acquired by John Ringling as part of the American Circus Corporation in 1929. It made a notable appearance in the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus’ 1945 War Bond Parade in New York.
• The John Robinson Bandwagon No. 1, often referred to as the Lion and Gladiator Wagon, is believed to have been built by Sullivan and Eagle Wagon Co. of Peru, Indiana, for Howe’s Great London Circus. It was in continuous service from 1911 to 1925, and it became part of the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey collection when John Ringling acquired the American Circus Corporation. This wagon was also featured in the 1945 War Bond Parade in New York and in the spectacle Alice in Circus Wonderland.
• The Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Hippo Cage Wagon No. 73, which is believed to have been built in 1903 by an unknown builder. The wagon housed black-tailed deer for most of its time in use, but it also later held lions and was retrofitted for a pygmy hippo in 1943.
• The historic wagons were transported from Florida to Wisconsin by Baraboo-based Deppe Enterprises, a longtime supporter of Circus World. Circus World Museum, Inc. also contributed to the transfer costs. Visitors can view them in the Deppe Wagon Pavilion when Circus World opens for the season on April 21, 2025.

For more information or to purchase advance tickets, visit circusworldbaraboo.org.

About Circus World

Circus World is one of the Wisconsin Historical Society’s 12 historic sites and museums. Located at the site of the Ringling Bros. Circus Historic Winter Quarters in Baraboo, it was comprised of less than an acre of land and a collection of six circus wagons at its founding and has grown into an internationally respected institution encompassing 64 acres, 30 permanent structures and over 260 historic circus wagons. Visitors can enjoy live performances during the summer season and explore seven massive buildings highlighting the innovations, excitement and wonder of the American circus. Visit circusworld.wisconsinhistory.org for more information and a list of upcoming events. Wisconsin Historical Society members receive free admission to this site during regular operating hours.

About the Wisconsin Historical Society

The Wisconsin Historical Society, founded in 1846, ranks as one of the largest, most active and most diversified state historical societies in the nation. As both a state agency and a private membership organization, its mission is to help people connect to the past by collecting, preserving and sharing stories. The Wisconsin Historical Society serves millions of people every year through a wide range of sites, programs and services. The Wisconsin Historical Foundation, a 501(c)(3) tax exempt organization, receives grants and private contributions benefitting the Wisconsin Historical Society and administers the membership program. For more information, visit www.wisconsinhistory.org.