Episode 169: When Lightning Struck the Big Top

Step beneath the canvas and into a summer storm as host Shane Waters unearths the electrifying true story of June 10, 1897, when a bolt of lightning shattered the Ringling Brothers’ Big Top in Wahpeton, North Dakota. Hear how a day that promised exotic animals, brass‑band parades, and wonder turned to chaos in a heartbeat—claiming two lives, shaking a frontier town, and forging a bond between locals and traveling showfolk that still echoes through the granite “tent‑pole” monument overlooking the prairie cemetery today.

More than a tale of disaster, this episode explores community resilience, the origins of the circus credo “the show must go on,” and the timeless reminder that every hometown holds a story waiting to be unearthed. Perfect for fans of forgotten Americana, circus lore, and true‑history twists, “When Lightning Struck the Big Top” brings 19th‑century North Dakota vividly—and thunderously—to life.

Ready to step inside the tent?

• Listen now and follow Hometown History wherever you get your podcasts
• Leave us a review to help fellow history‑lovers discover the show
• Share this episode with a friend who loves astonishing true tales—because every hometown has a story

Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy