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the things you find out.
By briantologist | October 29, 2009
So here’s something I came across in the past year and a half and didn’t bother telling anyone about. I had a temp job this spring proofreading grocery circulars, as sadly that’s become one of my areas of expertise. Catercorner from the building I worked in for a few weeks was this strange little building, sitting there dwarfed on all sides by glass and steel —
"Don't mind me. Just sitting here."
— and sporting this logo:
Downtown Chicago, Randolph & Franklin
The more I looked, the better it got — see the awesome details above the windows above, or better (and grainier) below.
Elephants!
So being, as I am, a deeply curious individual, I got right to investigating this after the traditional six-month waiting period. And let me tell you: After reading this, I wish I’d only waited four months. What’s the Showmen’s League? Oh, nothing much, just an organization for performers co-founded by none other than Buffalo Bill Motherscratchin’ Cody! By the circus people, and for the circus people! You can’t make shit like this up.
Not only that, their website led me to this completely haunting story, and you damn well believe we’ll be planning a field trip to Woodlawn Cemetery and the Showmen’s Rest. If this phrase alone doesn’t do it for you:
Set in Woodlawn Cemetery, surrounded by five elephants, trunks lowered in mourning, it remains the final resting place for many of our brothers.
… I don’t know what to tell you.
This is why I love this town, people. I’ll be exploring it my whole life and I’ll never learn everything.
Topics: Chicago, Fucking Awesome | 6 Comments »
October 29th, 2009 at 6:44 pm
if you haven’t read Devil in the White City, send me your address and I’ll ship it immediately. It’s the story of the Chicago’s World Fair + MURDER! It’s fantastic! It goes into a lot of the Chicago architecture and stuff, but – even better! – it’s never boring! It’s an awesome book. [/book rant]
October 29th, 2009 at 11:18 pm
I second giddy girlie’s suggestion (and had a whole thing I had written here about it before I noticed her comment). I read it not too long ago. It’s a definite page turner both in regards to the serial killing and the architecture discussions.
October 30th, 2009 at 12:30 am
You delight me. Thanks for the photos and the link and the awesome grocery circulars.
October 30th, 2009 at 9:02 am
See, now that’s the sort of stuff I always HOPE to find out when I investigate a curious new place.
Odd that you live close to one Showmen’s Rest cemetery now, and another one is in your home state. The third one is in Tampa, so I assume that means you’ll be living in Florida someday.
October 30th, 2009 at 9:03 am
It is kinda weird, isn’t it? Clearly we’re subconsciously attracted to dead circus people.
November 25th, 2009 at 1:19 pm
Did you look closely at this Showman’s League? That place is lousy with carnies. Hell, Jerry Murphy was past president in 1980. Check out the Board of Governors…carnies and arcade owners galore. Although check out this story…
Peter Andrews Past President
Peter Andrews was the first Chicago born and raised President since Paul Olsen in 1960. He attended the Chicago Latin School and the Francis Park Academy. He worked hard in the business and was on Royal American Shows where everyone was truly a gentleman. When he was young he had an accident and was in the hospital for 20 days. One day a very nice gentleman came into the hospital to visit him and told him “Don’t worry kid, the Showmen’s League of America will take care of your needs” – and that gentleman was Noble Case. From that day on he has had a true affinity with the Showmen’s League. One of the high points of his life was to hold the Presidency of the League. Now a days, he’s a little older and set in his ways and doesn’t like to go to far away from his wife and his home. Past President Peter Andrews and his wife reside in Miami, Florida.
“…and that gentleman was Noble Case.” ‘Nuff said.