Rural Missouri - November 2020 - 49

"We have a notebook full
kept clippings and letters from
of letters from other circuses
so long ago. Nearly everyone's
who did business with W. P.,"
gone who might recall details
Sandra says. "It's evident there
about him."
was good money in buying and
Horse and mule buyers
selling to circuses."
sought W.P. out for his ability
In May 1932, as the Great
to quickly judge an animal's
Depression ramped up, W.P.
soundness. Sometimes a seller
felt it was time to turn some
would try to trick him by slickof his circus holdings into
ing up a poor-quality horse and
cash. His ad read, "For sale:
passing it off at another sale.
Elephants, cat animals, bears,
"W.P. would tell the seller,
camels, railroad cars, wagons,
'I did not like this horse when
cages, canvas, seats, etc. Will
you brought it last week and
sell cheaply for cash."
I still don't like it today,' "
A month later, the renowned
Sandra relates from local
businessman died on June 30
accounts.
Left: Lancaster businessman W. P. Hall not only brieﬂy owned his
own circus but became a key resource for circuses around the world. at the age of 68. By 1938, his
During the 1904 St. Louis
Above: One of W. P.'s ornate carriages used in circuses and parades. family had sold what was left of
World's Fair, the Lancaster
the W.P. Hall Circus.
Below: The circus elephants training on the Hall farm in Lancaster.
business man purchased
The 15-room Victorian house
several South African elephants
in Lancaster has been known as The William P. Hall House
from fair participants, the ﬁrst of many he would own.
Museum and Schuyler County Historical Society since
When traveling in Europe, W.P. had seen some of the
1974 when the Schuyler County Business and Professional
ﬁnest circuses. He dreamed about starting his own. So
Women's Club purchased it to help preserve local history.
in 1904, he purchased a couple of failing circuses in the
The home, now listed on the National Register of HisUnited States, combining them into the W. P. Hall Circus
toric Places, contains a wealth of information because so
and Menagerie. In May 1905, his circus opened in Lanmany local artifacts have been left to the museum.
caster and then began traveling across the states, only to
disband and shut down. While he'd proven himself as a
"We've spent a lot of time sorting through things," Sanmaster horse and mule trader, running a circus and life on
dra says. "We have great genealogy resources for anyone
the road was not something W.P. enjoyed.
researching family. Local art, clothing from the early 1900s,
That said, the businessman played a big role in the
and a room full of Civil War, World War I and World War II
circus world. After retiring his own circus, William added
items. If you want to know something about the area, we've
"circus broker" to his list of offerings. From his Lancaster
probably got a little history about it."
farm, the supplier and animal lover bought small circuses
An original summer kitchen just off the porch, the oneand Wild West shows from across the United States. Soon
room Green Valley School from Queen City as well as a
he was selling equipment and exotic animals to circuses
restored 1870s cabin make this hidden gem of a museum a
small and large. Even the Ringling Brothers bought from
wonderful trip for any age group.
"Diamond Billy," a moniker that came from William's acceptance of diamonds as payment from the South Africans
The William P. Hall House Museum and Schuyler County
who bought mules for use in their mines.
Historical Society is located on Highway 136 in Lancaster.
At a moment's notice, buyers could ﬁnd circus wagons,
The museum is open Wednesday through Friday from 1 p.m
cages and rail cars for hauling animals on his farm. If
to 5 p.m. or by appointment. For more information follow
they happened to need exotic animals, they could also buy
Schuyler County Historical Society on Facebook or email
lions, tigers, elephants, water buffalo, camels and more.
schuylercountyhistory@gmail.com.

photos courtesy of the Schuyler County Historical Society

NOVEMBER 2020 | RURALMISSOURI.COOP

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Rural Missouri - November 2020

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