About The Region

Delavan

Delavan, with a population of over 11,000 (town and city combined) serves as the focal point for thousands of visitors to the area. It is a clean, friendly place, located in a region of sparkling lakes and rolling Wisconsin farmland. Rustic roads wind through the countryside past ducks and Canadian geese, delicate wildflowers, stately trees and quiet pastures. Delavan is surprisingly different, with a unique circus history, outstanding recreational and educational facilities, prosperous agricultural, commercial and industrial firms and people genuinely proud of their community. Delavan exhibits a cosmopolitan and metropolitan flavor seldom found in smaller cities.

On January 2, 1838, the town of Delavan was formed in the southwestern quarter of the county. This region steadily grew around the settlements that are now the towns of Darien, Sharon, Walworth and the present town of Delavan.

Brothers and explorers, Henry Phoenix and Col. Samuel F. Phoenix found the lush green hillsides, ample water supply from Delavan Lake, and the rich surrounding soil were perfect for their needs. They were men of strong temperance, sobriety and faith.

Delavan has a storied history steeped in circus myths and legends. By the middle of the 19th century, the nation was continuing its westward expansion, bringing circuses from the east to the young territories in the upper Mississippi Valley.

In 1847, Edmund and Jeremiah Mabie, proprietors of the U.S. Olympic Circus, then the largest traveling show in America, chose Delavan for their winter quarters, a year before Wisconsin attained statehood and 24 years before the Ringling Brothers raised their first tents in Baraboo, Wisconsin. Delavan's abundant pastures and pure water provided everything the Mabies required for the animals. The Mabie Circus stayed at the present site of Lake Lawn Resort on Delavan Lake, where it created a circus dynasty that survived in Wisconsin for the next 100 years.

As time passed, the circuses grew in strength and numbers; hundreds of clowns and circus performers from over 26 circuses set up their winter quarters in Delavan from 1847 to 1894. The P.T. Barnum Circus, "The Greatest Show on Earth", was founded in Delavan in 1871.

The Delavan circus era ended in 1984 when the E.G. Holland Railroad Circus folded its tents. Except for a handful of local performers, who continued the tradition, the circus vanished from the community. Within a generation, the familiar ring barns and circus landmarks were gone. Today, more than 250 members of the old circus colony are buried in Spring Grove and St. Andrew's cemeteries.

Delavan, one of Wisconsin's early cities, has a rich 19th century architectural heritage. From Greek Revival to turreted Queen Anne structures located throughout, Delavan is a showcase of Victorian architectural styles.

Downtown streets are made of brick and continued restoration ensure that Delavan will retain much of its 19th century look and charm.