Traveling theatrical troupes came to Janesville.

The evidence

• “Janesville has always had a reputation — and justly, too — for being what is termed among professional managers "a good show town." Besides the liberal patronage bestowed upon the itinerant theatrical companies, home talent has always received the greatest encouragement from the citizens. As early as 1849, traveling troupes came to Janesville. The only place resembling a theater at that day was Apollo Hall, in Lappin's Block — that portion of it which was built south of the present stairway entrance.”

  1879-history-of-rock-county/14-rock-county-ch08-janesville.md, PDF p. 566 / book p. 570

  Butterfield, C. W., et al. The History of Rock County, Wisconsin: its early settlement, growth, development, resources, etc. Chicago: Western Historical Company, 1879. Cornell University Library via the Internet Archive, archive.org/details/cu31924028871585.

  Grade A: Found on a page of one of our sources