MANSFIELD — Going east out of downtown today, the primary thoroughfare of Park Avenue East splits into Route 42 and Route 430, creating a triangle of business properties.
In the 1920s that triangle of land between the two routes was still one big field. The huge grassy expanse was a popular ball field at that time, and in 1924 it was where they set up the biggest circus that ever came to town.
Mansfield had always been a regular stop for the famous Barnum circus in the 1870s and 80s, and then as that show expanded into the Barnum & Bailey circus it came to town only every other year, alternating with the huge Ringling circus.
In 1924 was the first time that the giant spectaculars, combined into one show, came to town as the Ringling Brothers, and Barnum & Bailey Circus. As a new expanded and greatly enhanced extravaganza they needed plenty of space to spread out.
That historic year the circus brought two particularly celebrated acts to town: the unforgettable “Congress of Freaks,” and the renowned Mabel Stark: lion tamer.
That particular circus marked another milestone specifically historic to Mansfield. It was at that same time, in that same field, when a young Mansfield entrepreneur set up his refreshment stand on the circus grounds to make a little moonlighting cash selling drinks to the crowds coming to the circus. His name was Frank Stewart, and his little drink stand sold Stewart’s Root Beer for the first time.
The 1924 photo comes from the collection of Ralph Minnich.
