Mollie Bailey Plaque

A single spotlight. That’s how I imagine Mollie Bailey’s life, always in the center ring. We stand before the Mollie Bailey Plaque, a testament to a woman who defied expectations and became a legend in her own time. The Mollie Bailey Plaque is more than just a metal sign. It’s a portal to a bygone era of circuses, the Civil War, and a woman’s unwavering spirit. Mollie Arline Kirkland Bailey, born in Alabama between 1841 and 1844, married James Augustus “Gus” Bailey against her parents’ wishes. This act of defiance set the stage for a life full of adventure. The couple formed the Bailey Family Troupe, a traveling circus, defying the societal norms of the time. When the Civil War broke out, Gus joined the Confederate Army. Mollie, instead of staying behind, traveled with the troops as a nurse and entertainer. She even acted as a spy, smuggling medicine and messages past Union lines, hidden in her hair. It’s said Gus wrote “The Old Gray Mare” for her. Mollie’s spirit shines through in this story. After the war, the Baileys brought their circus to Texas, eventually becoming the Mollie A. Bailey Show. Mollie took the reins after Gus’s retirement, running the show until 1917. Imagine a woman in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, managing a circus with camels, elephants, and multiple wagons, later transitioning to rail cars. Mollie Bailey wasn’t just a businesswoman; she was a pillar of the community, offering free admission to veterans and the less fortunate, donating circus grounds for public use. The Mollie Bailey Plaque represents not just a circus owner, but a woman who defied expectations, served her community, and left an indelible mark on Texas history. Her story is a testament to resilience, courage, and the magic of the circus.