John Ringling was the last surviving of five Ringling brothers, who founded their famous circus at Baraboo, WI. They began with a wagon-based show and within a few years were traveling by railroad and covering most of the United States and Canada. In 1907 the Ringlings acquired the renowned Barnum and Bailey Circus, which continued to tour separately until 1919, when the two shows were combined. The Ringling Brothers and Barnum and Bailey Circus gave up touring under a big top and since 1957 has limited its appearances to indoor arenas.