September 25, 1849 – Iowa City is abuzz as the E. F. & J. Mabie Grand Olympic Arena and U. S. Circus comes to town.

In 1849, Iowa City just one decade old, and while it had served as Iowa’s capital for nearly three years, the city’s population was still barely hitting 1,000. Yet, according to Susannah A. Irish – who was only twelve at the time – the whole city came out to experience the amazing pioneer circus that pulled into town, setting up their colorful tents on Capitol Square. This was the second visit of the E. F. & J. Mabie Grand Olympic Arena and U. S. Circus, as Ms. Irish reports them coming to Iowa City in September of 1848 as well.

READ MORE ABOUT THIS IOWA STORY HERE

---

Did you know? is an Our Iowa Heritage blog series that offers you a little bit of Iowa trivia from a large selection of stories on our website. Subscribe to this FREE blog and you’ll get a new email from us daily.

Join us for Our Iowa Heritage blog posts.

Learn some historical facts about Iowa City, Johnson County, or Eastern Iowa.

Amaze your friends.

Click to learn more.

Click here to go on to the next date…