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the greatest show on earth

Who would have thought an elephant could weave its way into the psyche of an entire community? For everyone that knows a little or a lot about the Jumbo story - they have been touched. How can you not tear up when the story ends with Jumbo pulling his trainer in for a hug as he takes his last breath?

The Story of Jumbo

Jumbo the Elephant, in St. Thomas Ontario, statue, Barnum and Bailey Circus
From Awesome Stories

Jumbo the Elephant was the star of P.T. Barnum's "Greatest Show on Earth" where, it is said, he brought in the largest crowds in the history of the circus.

Captured in Africa, Jumbo spent time in London - where he was greatly loved - until PT Barnum purchased him to star in his circus.  Londoners were most distressed to see him leave, in 1882:

...The beast had been a pet with the children in the London Zoological Gardens ... It required two weeks to build a van-like cage for the journey by sea [aboard the Assyrian Monarch], and then keepers went to the zoo to lead Jumbo to the ship...

He strode along all right until the gate of the garden closed behind them and then lay down in the street.  It was a pure case of elephantine obstinacy, and the animal wouldn't budge.  

There he measured his length in the dust for twenty-four hours despite all urging and entreaty, to the despair of his custodians, who little realized the wonderful effect the incident would have on the owner's pocketbook.

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JUMBO'S MONUMENT
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JUMBO'S PLAQUE
Visit the site of Jumbo's death and see the historic plaque. Find the location on the west side of Woodworth Ave just north of the railway tracks.

Address approximately at 105 Woodworth Ave.

Explore...

WEB
  • Jumbo Timeline
  • The Nature of Things featuring Jumbo
  • CBC News Video
  • YouTube Jumbo tricks
  • Elgin Tourist Jumbo Story
  • Barnum Museum Virtual Exhibition 
  • Ontario Southwest Jumbo Monument
  • 10 Strange Attractions Across Canada
  • The Star Travel & the Legend of Jumbo
  • Mysteries of Canada
  • Tufts University Journal
BOOKS
The following are available in the St. Thomas library:
  • Jumbo: W. P. Jolly
  • Jumbo: The Greatest Elephant in the World- Paul Chambers
  • Jumbo: Giant Circus Elephant- Justin Denzel
  • Jumbo: P.T. Barnum’s Greatest Creation- John Passfield
  • Jumbo: The Biggest Elephant in all the World- Florence McLaughlin Burns
  • Jumbo, 1885-1985: Official Souvenir Program
  • World Went Mad when Mighty Jumbo Came to America- Theodore James
  • The Story of Jumbo: W. F. L. Edwards

THE RAILWAY CITY


​Info Centre @ L&PS Station
605 Talbot St.
St. Thomas ON N5P 1C6


Fall/Winter Hours
Tuesday - Friday 1pm - 4pm
Saturday 10am-4pm


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ST. THOMAS WEATHER

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605 Talbot Street, St. Thomas ON
© 2019 Railway City Tourism ​
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The Railway City

Info Centre @ L&PS Station
605 Talbot St.
St. Thomas ON N5P 1C6


Fall/Winter Hours (by chance)
Tuesday - Saturday
10am - 4pm

Contact Us

About

Things To Do
Events
Jumbo the Elephant
About the Railway City
Theme by ROOMY THEMES
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