Holland Circus Collection

George F. Holland was born January 25, 1850 in Delavan Wisconsin. George Holland was the son of John Holland, the founder of the Holland family circus. The Holland family circus began circa 1850s and lasted several generations. George Holland was an acrobat and rider and worked in the family business with his two brothers John and Edward. George Holland married Katherine Holloway in 1872 and performed together until they retired in 1910. George and Katherine worked for some of the largest circuses of the time such as, Dan Rice’s, Burr Robbins, John Robinson’s, Sells-Floto and Holland participated in two circus partnerships. The first partnership was with brothers Charles, Edward and John McMahon thus creating the Holland-McMahon railroad circus. The second partnership was called Holland and Gormley Allied Railroad Circus which toured for two years and George and Katherine retired shortly after the conclusion of that show. The Holland family was inducted into the International Circus Hall of Fame in 1980 for their contributions to the circus community that spanned multiple generations.