Old Pitt, Elephant Killed by Lighting
Old Pitt is the burial site of a circus elephant located in a quiet corner of the Beaverhead County Fairgrounds, marked by a simple blue fence and a small granite stone. The grave dates to 1943, when this elderly animal was struck by lightning during a sudden summer thunderstorm while the circus was in town.
Pitt was purchased as a young elephant by the John Robinson Circus and performed in shows traveling from New York to Cuba for decades as a beloved performer. After Robinson's death, she was passed to other circuses and eventually arrived in Dillon with Cole Bros. Circus in 1943, where she died during a sudden storm.
Old Pitt represents a shared memory for Dillon residents that connects the town to a time when traveling circuses brought exotic animals and entertainment to small communities. The burial site has become a focal point where locals and visitors reflect on the role animals played in shaping regional stories and identity.
The burial site is located on the Beaverhead County Fairgrounds grounds in Dillon and is easily accessible to visitors. The spot is open and peaceful, allowing you to stop by at any time to view the simple marker and spend a few moments there.
Although Pitt was over 50 years old, some accounts claimed she was around 102 years old, adding mystery to her story. This age discrepancy has made the elephant's tale even more intriguing to locals and visitors, who continue to puzzle over which version is true.
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