Local Boy Makes Good
P. T. Barnum, America's greatest showman, had a lot of local connections. He was born in Bethel in 1810 and also served a sixty day jail sentence in Danbury for an item that he published in a newspaper that he owned. Upon his release from jail there was a parade to celebrate his regaining his freedom. He was Mayor of Bridgeport for two years and lived in a fabulous mansion there which he named Iranistan. He donated a ceremonial fountain to the town of Bethel.
Danbury Library has many books about Barnum including his autobiography entitled "Struggles and Triumphs" and a rare copy of a 1934 screenplay called "The Mighty Barnum" which starred Wallace Beery as the great showman. To learn more about his fascinating life log on to www.barnum-museum.org.