Showmen's Rest

Showmen's Rest is a burial section within Woodlawn Cemetery in Forest Park containing around 750 plots, marked by five stone elephants with their front feet resting on balls. The area serves as a dedicated ground for circus industry members and is maintained by the Showmen's League of America.

A railroad accident in June 1918 killed 86 members of the Hagenbeck-Wallace Circus, leading to a mass burial at this location. This disaster became one of the deadliest circus-related accidents in American history and shaped the importance of this burial ground.

The graves display circus-related inscriptions and nicknames rather than formal names, reflecting how performers were known through their professional roles. This practice reflects the tight-knit community of circus workers who often went by stage names in their daily lives.

The site is open year-round for visitors to explore the elephant sculptures and the quiet grounds. It helps to take time reading the individual inscriptions on the headstones to understand the stories behind the names and roles of those buried here.

Many tombstones bear designations like '4 Horse Driver' or 'Unknown Female No. 43' due to difficulties identifying victims after the train disaster. These unusual inscriptions stand as quiet reminders of the chaos and loss that followed the accident.

Location: Forest Park

Part of: Woodlawn Cemetery

GPS coordinates: 41.85058,-87.81944

Latest update: December 7, 2025 19:22