In 1884, the Ringling Bros. founded their circus in Baraboo. For thirty-four years, until 1918, the circus used these buildings on Water Street as their winterquarters. Starting pathetically small, the Ringling Bros. Circus grew into the "World's Greatest Shows." After the circus absorbed Barnum & Baily, the Ringlings became "The Greatest Show on Earth." The original Ringling winterquarters are now the home of the Circus World Museum.