From 1874 to 1888, this site served as the Spring Brook Farm winter quarters for the Burr Robbins Circus, once reported as the third largest circus in America. In 1874, Burr Robbins bought E.P. Doty's 100-acre farm and converted it into a village-like complex with a homestead, animal house, horse barn, riding hall, root house, and paint, blacksmith, and harness shops. Named for the brook that flowed through it, the farm also included a deer park surrounded by a tall picket fence. A respected Janesville citizen, Burr Robbins poured thousands of dollars into the local economy every year, and the circus was considered as valuable to the city as any manufacturing establishment. Showing his fondness for the community, Robbins said, "when my wanderings are over, I shall ever turn my face toward Janesville with joy."