James A. Bailey
Circus entrepreneur James A. McGinnis was born near this site on July 4, 1847. At fourteen he joined a circus and adopted the name “Bailey.” Developing a striking talent for advertising and management, he bought the Cooper and Bailey Shows, which toured, under canvas, the world over. Further success came with Bailey’s 1880 purchase of “Little America,” the first elephant born in this country. The native Detroiter joined forces with celebrated showman Phineas T. Barnum in 1881. Overshadowed by his more flamboyant partner, Bailey guided the circus to many triumphs. Unlike Barnum who asserted, “The public likes to be humbugged,” Bailey said, “Give the people the best . . . and they’ll reward you.” Barnum died in 1891, and Bailey ran the mammoth three-ring show until his death in 1906. The circus was then sold to Ringling Brothers, which lives on as Ringling Brothers and Barnum and Bailey.
Plaque via Michigan History Center