Tragedy, resilience, and remembrance converge here at Showmen’s Rest. This is a place where the echoes of the circus linger. It’s a poignant reminder of lives dedicated to the art of entertainment. Showmen’s Rest is located in Woodlawn Cemetery. It serves as the final resting place for circus performers.
This section of Woodlawn Cemetery is owned by the Showmen’s League of America. The League formed to support circus and vaudeville entertainers. Showmen’s Rest became a reality in 1917. The League wanted to ensure that every entertainer and worker had a final resting place.
The story of Showmen’s Rest is deeply intertwined with the tragic Hagenbeck-Wallace Circus train wreck of 1918. On June 22, 1918, a troop train collided with the Hagenbeck-Wallace Circus train near Hammond, Indiana. The engineer of the troop train had fallen asleep. The crash caused a massive fire. Eighty-six people died and over 120 were injured.
Identifying the dead was nearly impossible due to the severity of the fire. Many circus workers were known only by nicknames. Some had left their past lives behind for a new start on the road. Fifty-six victims of the wreck were buried in a mass grave here at Showmen’s Rest. Some grave markers bear nicknames like Baldy or Smiley. Most are simply labeled Unknown Male or Unknown Female.
Despite the tragedy, the circus community showed remarkable resilience. Competitors lent equipment, performers, and supplies. The Hagenbeck-Wallace Circus missed only two performances. The show, as they say, must go on.
Five majestic elephant statues stand guard over the graves at Showmen’s Rest. These elephants symbolize the grief and loss felt by the circus community. Elephants represent strength, intelligence, and loyalty in circus culture. The trunks of the elephants are lowered. This symbolizes sorrow and mourning. Raised trunks would signify joy.
Each year on Memorial Day, a special ceremony is held at Showmen’s Rest. People gather to honor the circus performers buried here. The ceremony pays tribute to those who died in the 1918 train wreck. It also honors all showmen who have found their final resting place here. Stories of life under the Big Top are shared. The spirit of the circus lives on.
Visiting Showmen’s Rest offers a unique and solemn experience. As you walk through Woodlawn Cemetery, you will find the Showmen’s Rest section. It is marked by the five towering elephant statues. The site is a tribute to the lives of the performers. It reflects the tight-knit circus community that came together in the face of tragedy. Showmen’s Rest is more than just a cemetery. It’s a place where stories, legacies, and memories are kept alive.