In Manhattan, the Grand National Arena Company settled in a specially-constructed wood-frame building with a canvas roof and was given the name "Broadway Circus." This was on a vacant lot at 509 Broadway (between Spring and Broome Streets, later the site of the St. Nicholas Hotel. 1 At least one of the giraffes had been exhibited on that lot several years earlier. The New York Evening Post reported that "a new circus has been got up by Messrs. Welch, Bartlett & Co...The situation is a commodious one, and it is said that the interior arrangements are capacious, elegant and well-adapted to equestrian exhibitions." The next day's issue says "The performances embrace a great variety of chaste and elegant feats of horsemanship; sports of the ring; diverting and astonishing performances by the clown Rockwell, together with amusing scenes and dialogues, gymnastics, &c. The interior has been ornamented and arranged with great neatness and comfort, and the managers no doubt will be well compensated for their enterprise." 2 This is an example of one of the advertisements for this show:
...the entertainments will commence with a grand STAR AND WALTZ ENTRY of ten horses, after which Master Oliver in an ADMIRED ACT, VAULTING EXCERSIZES - Clown Mr. Rockwell - Master Glenroy will appear on a single horse and take many SURPRISING LEAPS - Mr. Derious will appear on the ELASTIC CORD - THE SEMINOLE CHIEF by Mr. Bacon - Masters Bacon, Glenroy and Joseph will go through a number of transformations and contortions - Mr. Cadwallader on one, two, three and four horses - Mr. Jinnings as the Hindoo Juggler - Chinese pageant - Mr. J. Sanford in the Ethiopian Extravaganza [minstrel act] of Jim Along-Josey - to conclude with the Bedouin Arabs. Boxes 50 cents - Pit 25 cents. 3
The Post reported again that "The beautiful amphitheatre of Messrs. Welch, Bartlett & Co., was filled to overflowing, by a highly respectable audience, at an early hour, last evening, to witness the first performance of this highly talented equestrian troupe. The riding, rope dancing, vaulting, and other gymnastic feats were most gracefully executed and received the unanimous applause of the audience. The interior of the amphitheatre is beautifully fitted up and well warmed with every other convenience that could be desired." The next day was added that "we noticed the presence last evening of some of our most highly esteemed citizens and their families." Another ad, indicating a change in the line-up, is more detailed. It includes a "Spanish Tranca," "a laughable scene on horseback entitled "Cupid in the Soot Bag," another "Ethiopian Extravaganza" called "Sich a gittin up Stairs," "The Dying Moor" and "The Clown Turned Barber." As the season progressed, the acts changed. Later you could find Mr. Rockwell doing a solo on the penny trumpet, Master Bacon on the "Polander's Ladder," "Jerry Stitchum" by Mr. Wells, and what seems to have been their crowing achievement: "a grand chivalric pageant legendary spectacle" called "St. George and the Dragon of England," with "new and splendid decorations, processions and equestrian evolutions on a most extensive scale." Mr. Cadwalader played the dragon and the great monster, Mr. Mulligan. 4 (his show went back out on the road as the Broadway Circus for the rest of 1840 in Massachusetts and New York)
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