[deano_hoosier]

A little Village history I came across….

The property that is now Truman Golf Course was puchased by The Villages from a relative of James Bailey who you might remember as partner with P.T. Barnum and founders of the Barnum & Bailey Circus.

As it turns out, this Bailey owned a ranch/horse farm on which Truman was built. And this Bailey was also an animal lover who had special feelings for endagered/sick animals. He approached the Barnum & Bailey Circus and offered to provide a refuge for their circus animals that may have become too old or infirm to travel with the circus.

As it happens a number of the animals died on his property and the particularly large ones (elephants, for example) were buried at the highest elevation to insure the best drainage around their large bodies.

You may have noticed this burial ground to the right off Truman’s #9 hole --- the mounds you see there is that site.

[The Villager II]

Very funny joke. LOL. You should write short stories for readers digest.

[BogeyBoy]

I hit up on one of those mounds the other day. I noticed an ivory tusk at the bottom of my divot.

[Taltarzac725]

Originally Posted by deano_hoosier

A little Village history I came across….

The property that is now Truman Golf Course was puchased by The Villages from a relative of James Bailey who you might remember as partner with P.T. Barnum and founders of the Barnum & Bailey Circus.

As it turns out, this Bailey owned a ranch/horse farm on which Truman was built. And this Bailey was also an animal lover who had special feelings for endagered/sick animals. He approached the Barnum & Bailey Circus and offered to provide a refuge for their circus animals that may have become too old or infirm to travel with the circus.

As it happens a number of the animals died on his property and the particularly large ones (elephants, for example) were buried at the highest elevation to insure the best drainage around their large bodies.

You may have noticed this burial ground to the right off Truman’s #9 hole --- the mounds you see there is that site.

Where did you get this information?? Find local history very interesting.

[JoeC1947]

Originally Posted by deano_hoosier

A little Village history I came across….

The property that is now Truman Golf Course was puchased by The Villages from a relative of James Bailey who you might remember as partner with P.T. Barnum and founders of the Barnum & Bailey Circus.

As it turns out, this Bailey owned a ranch/horse farm on which Truman was built. And this Bailey was also an animal lover who had special feelings for endagered/sick animals. He approached the Barnum & Bailey Circus and offered to provide a refuge for their circus animals that may have become too old or infirm to travel with the circus.

As it happens a number of the animals died on his property and the particularly large ones (elephants, for example) were buried at the highest elevation to insure the best drainage around their large bodies.

You may have noticed this burial ground to the right off Truman’s #9 hole --- the mounds you see there is that site.

What's today....Oh yeah IT'S APRIL FOOLS DAY!!!!!

[Taltarzac725]

Got me.

[graciegirl]

Me too.

[RichieLion]

Maybe this is an "April Fools" story, but it did make me look for some info and I found that Barnum & Bailey does have an elephant center in Central Florida. Pretty cool stuff.

Center for Elephant Conservation

[asianthree]

First time i have been april fooled on line

[skyguy79]

Originally Posted by BogeyBoy

I hit up on one of those mounds the other day. I noticed an ivory tusk at the bottom of my divot.

Did that "ivory tusk" look anything like this?

[joannej]

Originally Posted by RichieLion

Maybe this is an "April Fools" story, but it did make me look for some info and I found that Barnum & Bailey does have an elephant center in Central Florida. Pretty cool stuff.

Center for Elephant Conservation

_______________________________________________
Thanks for posting this info, Ritchie. We went to see the Ringling Bros., Barnum and Bailey, site in Sarasota FL yesterday and we were impressed by the size of the grounds and the amount of things to see there. We didn't get a chance to see everything, but we'll return for another visit sometime in the future. If you haven't been there yet, and are looking for a day-trip, plan on doing it soon. The ride took us about 2-1/2 hours to drive to Sarasota from the Villages. It's ~approx. 140 miles. We loved it!

[deano_hoosier]

I think it was Lincoln who said:

"You can fool some of the people all of the time, and all of the people some of the time, but you can not fool all of the people all of the time."

I enjoyed the prank and hope you'll think of the story next time you are right of #9 green on Truman.

[sunflower3630]

Originally Posted by skyguy79

Did that "ivory tusk" look anything like this?

Skyguy, you crack me up!! I laughed out loud at this one! LOVE, LOVE, LOVE your posts; keep 'em comin'!