Benjamin Wallace (circus owner)

The Great Wallace Shows circus poster

Benjamin Wallace was a prominent American circus owner and operator in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. He is best known for founding the Hagenbeck-Wallace Circus, one of the largest and most popular traveling circuses of its time.

Early Life

Benjamin Wallace was born in 1847 in Johnstown, Pennsylvania. Little is known about his early life, but he eventually moved to Peru, Indiana, which would later become the headquarters for his circus operations.

Career

Wallace began his career in the entertainment industry by managing a small menagerie and wild west show. In 1884, he partnered with James Anderson to form the Wallace and Company Circus. This venture laid the foundation for what would become the Hagenbeck-Wallace Circus.

Hagenbeck-Wallace Circus

In 1907, Wallace acquired the American rights to the Carl Hagenbeck Circus, a German circus known for its innovative animal training techniques. He merged it with his own circus to form the Hagenbeck-Wallace Circus. The combined circus quickly gained a reputation for its high-quality performances and extensive animal acts.

The Hagenbeck-Wallace Circus became one of the largest circuses in the United States, second only to the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus. It toured extensively across the country, bringing entertainment to countless towns and cities.

Legacy

Benjamin Wallace's contributions to the circus industry were significant. He helped popularize the use of trained animals in circus performances and set high standards for circus management and operations. The Hagenbeck-Wallace Circus continued to operate successfully for many years after his death in 1921.

See Also

• Circus
• Hagenbeck-Wallace Circus
• Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus
• Carl Hagenbeck
• Menagerie
• Wild West Show