236 No. 9th Street

1934 Ewalt Amusement Co., Tom Ewalt, was located here. In the summer he built two small drive-it-yourself cars which were taken to near-by picnics and celebrations and used as kiddie cars.

1936 Tom Ewalt contracted with Frank Murphy to build a new house on the property.

1937 The 62nd annual Fillmore County Fair opened with the Ewalt Amusement Co. occupying the midway at the fairgrounds. Tom Ewalt’s dog and pony show also gave a performance at Hebron.

1938 In May, the Ewalt Amusement Co. took all its equipment and with the dog and pony show went to Omaha where the company played for six weeks. Also in May, a two day Fillmore County school picnic was held, sponsored by the Community Club.

1938 In Oct., the Nebraska Signal stated, “The Ewalt Amusement Co. closed its season Saturday night with the ending of the fair at Nebraska City and returned to its winter quarters at Geneva. Tom Ewalt says he had a very good season considering conditions in the state.”

1939 Ewalt Amusement Co. built a two-story brick building behind the residence to replace the former shop and house show equipment. The ground floor was used for truck storage, quarters for the dogs and horses and a sawdust ring to use for training purposes. The second floor was used for living quarters and storage. Al Ewalt had his shop on the ground floor. There was a basement that housed a steam heat plant that heated the building and the Ewalt residence. Frank Murphy built the building.

1940 A portable stage was added for the showing of liberty ponies, dogs, trick ponies, and monkeys. In May, the Amusement Company prepared to leave on its summer tour. The Company traveled in nine trucks, a car and a house trailer. The company also began expanding its shows into Iowa.

1944 The show was renamed the Bell Bros. Circus and boasted a line-up that included large tents, manageries, caged animals, llamas, and Ena the Elephant. Ena arrived in Geneva in March on a special motor truck. The public was invited to visit her quarters. The circus was transported in 14 trucks. The circus traveled throughout the Midwest from Canada to Texas.

1945 In May, despite threatening clouds, muddy roads and wet grounds, a capacity crowd packed the large tent of the Ewalt Circus at its opening performance in Geneva.

1945 In Sept., the escape of a lynx from the circus’s winter quarters south of Geneva caused considerable excitement. It was found in a ditch near the farm and shot by Sheriff Harry Hulse.

1946 In April, the Bell Brothers Circus, owned and operated by Tom Ewalt, prepared to leave its winter quarters in Geneva and begin the summer season. It gave its opening show of the season at the Fillmore County Fairgrounds.

1946 In August, the circus returned to Geneva after playing in nine states. Ena, the elephant, was a favorite of all the kids in the neighborhood. She was kept in the large barn at the rear of this property and, along with the other animals, was cared for by a caretaker, Camel Dutch. Ena was ridden by Tom’s daughter, Kay Sue.

1946 In October, Tom Ewalt began a chartered bus service.

1946 In November, The Ewalt Amusement Co., a/k/a The Bell Brothers Circus, was sold to Dale Madden. Ena was loaded into a special truck and taken to her new home at Lake City, Iowa.