| Beasts and Ballyhoo, The Menagerie Men of Somers |
| Town of Somers History |
The Symbolic Value of the Elephant Hotel
In 1849, The Elephant Hotel was once again the scene of a huge gathering of menagerie and circus
proprietors. A large ball to celebrate the anniversary of George Washington's birthday was held at the
building, which was then attached to a wood frame annex that housed a ballroom. Hundreds of people
attended from the surrounding areas and as far away as New York City. Elegant young ladies looking
chronicled in the New York papers as a spectacular social event where 300 couples are said to have
dined and danced in shifts throughout the night.
"Westchester, which may be truly styled the empire county, has been agitated to its very center for more
than a fortnight past, in consequence of the stupendous arrangements for the annual celebration of
Washington's Natal day, at the Elephant Tavern. The principal masculine personages who figured at the
ball were the proprietors of menageries and circus companies with their immediate dependents and
associates, most of whom... are hopeless bachelors of the deplorable age of forty-five and upwards who
although rich as grand Turks set more value upon a trained horse or elephant than the attractions of
lovely women."
For all of these individuals, The Elephant Hotel undoubtedly served as Mecca, a destination when one
returned to the home village, a familiar place to gather with others who understood the way of life to
which they were accustomed. The menagerie business faded after the mid 19th century, being
absorbed as one element of the new monster shows that Seth Howes, William Coup, William Cole, Adam
Forepaugh, the Sells Brothers, James Bailey, P. T. Barnum and others were putting together. The
advent of the railroad introduced large circuses specially designed to move by rail, sometimes requiring
sixty to seventy freight cars, six passenger cars and three engines. There was fierce rivalry between the
traveling circuses, each striving to outdo the other with rhetoric and an onslaught of mudslinging
advertisements, called rat-bills.
The Elephant Hotel remained a central icon in the Somers community, even as the menagerie and
excitement of the circus years faded and the business generally fell into disrepute becoming a topic unfit
for discussion in polite company. The old brick building remained in the Bailey family but was leased to
numerous short-term tenants for various uses. It became a renewed community focal point in 1927
when it was purchased by the Town of Somers to become the Town Hall, or Town House as municipal
headquarters are known in Westchester County. With its name boldly painted on its facade and Old Bet
perched on her high pedestal, this landmark is a constant reminder for those who know about those
early days of the circus and a curiosity that lures the uninitiated visitor inside to discover Somers unique
and remarkable place in American history.
In 1849, The Elephant Hotel was once again the scene of a huge gathering of menagerie and circus
proprietors. A large ball to celebrate the anniversary of George Washington's birthday was held at the
building, which was then attached to a wood frame annex that housed a ballroom. Hundreds of people
attended from the surrounding areas and as far away as New York City. Elegant young ladies looking
chronicled in the New York papers as a spectacular social event where 300 couples are said to have
dined and danced in shifts throughout the night.
"Westchester, which may be truly styled the empire county, has been agitated to its very center for more
than a fortnight past, in consequence of the stupendous arrangements for the annual celebration of
Washington's Natal day, at the Elephant Tavern. The principal masculine personages who figured at the
ball were the proprietors of menageries and circus companies with their immediate dependents and
associates, most of whom... are hopeless bachelors of the deplorable age of forty-five and upwards who
although rich as grand Turks set more value upon a trained horse or elephant than the attractions of
lovely women."
For all of these individuals, The Elephant Hotel undoubtedly served as Mecca, a destination when one
returned to the home village, a familiar place to gather with others who understood the way of life to
which they were accustomed. The menagerie business faded after the mid 19th century, being
absorbed as one element of the new monster shows that Seth Howes, William Coup, William Cole, Adam
Forepaugh, the Sells Brothers, James Bailey, P. T. Barnum and others were putting together. The
advent of the railroad introduced large circuses specially designed to move by rail, sometimes requiring
sixty to seventy freight cars, six passenger cars and three engines. There was fierce rivalry between the
traveling circuses, each striving to outdo the other with rhetoric and an onslaught of mudslinging
advertisements, called rat-bills.
The Elephant Hotel remained a central icon in the Somers community, even as the menagerie and
excitement of the circus years faded and the business generally fell into disrepute becoming a topic unfit
for discussion in polite company. The old brick building remained in the Bailey family but was leased to
numerous short-term tenants for various uses. It became a renewed community focal point in 1927
when it was purchased by the Town of Somers to become the Town Hall, or Town House as municipal
headquarters are known in Westchester County. With its name boldly painted on its facade and Old Bet
perched on her high pedestal, this landmark is a constant reminder for those who know about those
early days of the circus and a curiosity that lures the uninitiated visitor inside to discover Somers unique
and remarkable place in American history.
In the 1920's the Town of Somers acquired the
Elephant Hotel for use as its Town Hall. In 1922
Ringling's Elephant Old John tromped from New
York to Somers to lay a wreath at the statue of
Old Bet. In 1956 the Somers Historical Society
was incorporated, and was given quarters in the
Town Hall. At the same time, the Hudson River
Museum who had exhibited the mounted hide of
the elephant Tip, once part of Adam
Forepaugh's show, for 29 years, shipped her to
the Somers Town Historian who stored Tip in his
barn, while selling shares to raise money for the
fledgling Somers Historical Society. Tip's tusks,
though not currently on view, are now part of the
collections at the Somers Historical society.
Elephant Hotel for use as its Town Hall. In 1922
Ringling's Elephant Old John tromped from New
York to Somers to lay a wreath at the statue of
Old Bet. In 1956 the Somers Historical Society
was incorporated, and was given quarters in the
Town Hall. At the same time, the Hudson River
Museum who had exhibited the mounted hide of
the elephant Tip, once part of Adam
Forepaugh's show, for 29 years, shipped her to
the Somers Town Historian who stored Tip in his
barn, while selling shares to raise money for the
fledgling Somers Historical Society. Tip's tusks,
though not currently on view, are now part of the
collections at the Somers Historical society.
| Elephant Old John lays wreath at statue of Old Bet, 1922 Reproduction from This Way To the Big Show, The Life of Dexter Fellows, 1936 |