If you’ve ever spent the winter in Florida, it’s easy to understand why it draws huge flocks of snowbirds every year. Everyone can appreciate this refuge from severe winter weather. (Even the Amish have a community near Sarasota where they can relax or retire.) One of Florida’s strangest and most interesting communities was a product of Florida’s history as a winter retreat. Gibsonton, or Gibtown as many locals call it, was just another winter getaway and peaceful place to retire in Florida. It just happened to be pretty much exclusively for circus and carnival folks.

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Gibsonton was once the home or part-time home to many famous sideshow stars, like the Giant Al Tomaini, who stood over eight feet tall, and the rather infamous Lobster Boy, Grady Stiles.
Flickr/Boston Public Library

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Once upon a time, it was home to the only post office with a counter designed for little people. The town's liberal zoning laws allowed residents to keep exotic animals and carnival equipment in their yards.
Flickr/Terence Faircloth
Today, with sideshows pretty much a thing of the past, the main attractions in the town are the International Independent Showmen's Museum and a dive bar called Showtown USA (another nickname for the town).
Yelp/Meg T.
The museum (only open on weekends) is full of fascinating carnival memorabilia you won't find anywhere else.
TripAdvisor/Radiohutch

Here’s a short documentary clip about Gibsonton, from around 2007. Many of the performers have passed away or do not appreciate nosy strangers, so it provides a fascinating glimpse into this one-of-a-kind town most visitors won’t get to see. Nonetheless, this town is worth exploring for its unique history.

Have you ever visited Gibsonton? What’s your favorite quirky Florida town?

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