The Greatest Show Under the Earth

Hugo, Oklahoma, population about 5,000 is the county seat of Choctaw County, Oklahoma. Nine miles from the Texas state line and about forty five minutes from where I currently live, it is just another small Oklahoma town, a drive through for many on their way to someplace else. 

It’s also the setting for my next novel, tentatively titled “Showmen’s Rest”.

Like most small towns throughout the United States, there is a little more to Hugo than the basic demographics. Yes, there’s a beautiful lake to enjoy, yes, there is a Sonic (I’ve discovered that every city/town in the United States, regardless of size, has a Sonic) and yes there is an area of town dedicated to the history, in this case, railroad related history. But, there is more. So. Much. More.

Hugo, Oklahoma is also known as Circus City, USA and is known for its ‘circus culture’. What does that mean? Well, since the early part of the twentieth century, traveling circuses have made Hugo their home during the winter months, and currently, three of America’s largest active circuses call Hugo home. It isn’t uncommon to see a trapeze, or a circus wagon in a driveway.

Still more…The Endangered Ark Foundation is also nearby. There you will find the United States’ second largest Asian elephant sanctuary.

But it was not for all of this that I got up early this morning to make the drive to Hugo. It was to go to the Mt. Olivet Cemetery, particularly one section, known as “Showmen’s Rest”.  You guessed it. The resting place of former circus employees and one of the most fun cemetery experiences ever.

I took so many pictures of headstones, I had to make a slideshow so you could enjoy the fun, too.  

And just as I passed Big John’s massive grave marker, the one that states “He had more friends than Santa Claus”, I had something hit me right upside the head…Inspiration. My next novel. Oh, yes. Thank you, Big John....

Soooooo, grab some popcorn (not to be confused with Popcorn the clown) and enjoy the show!