Hartford Circus Fire

The site of the Hartford Circus Fire.

In 1944 tragedy struck Hartford, Connecticut.

A major fire broke out at the site of a Ringling Brothers show on July 6. At least 167 people died under a collapsing flaming circus tent.

Although I have known the story of the circus fire all my life, only recently did I feel compelled to visit the location. I had always assumed the field where the circus was held that day had long since been developed. But it has not been developed. It is there today largely as it was then. Mostly un-noticed behind an elementary school building.

You can feel the weight of the horror of that day nearly 80 years later.