Written and researched by Victoria Scannella, Library Assistant
One urban legend that I’ve heard a lot about, coming straight out of the Bridgeton/Greenwich area, is the legend of the circus elephant that is allegedly buried at Gum Tree Corner. Although it’s unclear what in particular got me wondering about the history of the urban legends in Cumberland County, it probably had a lot to do with the change of weather. As the weather cools down, stories that are often told around a campfire become that much more interesting. According to a Bridgeton Evening News article from 1980, “It’s one of those legends that’s probably been handed down through generations; great to tell wide-eyed children on rainy days, but just a little too fantastic to be totally believable.” (1) As is the case with many urban legends, there were numerous claims of different towns, cities and even states that claim to have an elephant buried somewhere. It’s incredibly interesting how these stories spread and change over time as details are added, altered, or forgotten, but the main story remains the same.
One urban legend from the area is of an elephant that was buried at Gum Tree Corner. An article from The Bridgeton Evening News published in 1977 reads, “Did anyone ever hear the story of a circus elephant who died during a Bridgeton appearance and was buried at Gum Tree Corner… And that’s why the tree is so large?” (2) An article from The News of Cumberland County from 2010 states, “Everyone has heard that story. Supposedly, a circus came to town and an elephant died and was buried there. That is why the gum tree is so big.” (3) Though, gum trees are generally easy to grow and not incredibly temperamental, so the likelihood of the growth coming from the deceased circus elephant seems far-fetched. The tree, a sweet gum liquidambar styraciflua, has variable growth potential. Mature gum trees can reach heights of 60 to 75 feet and a width of 40 to 75 feet. It’s also a hardier tree, accepting and tolerant of several different types of soil. (4) This legend, unlike some others, is somewhat plausible as far as legends in New Jersey go.
There are different sources that say it was part of the P.T. Barnum circuses, or another unnamed circus group. The legend states that there was a circus troupe who paraded through Stow Creek with a caravan and animals. Though it has never been stated explicitly how the circus elephant passed away during their time in Stow Creek. No one was quite sure what to do, after all, what would you do with the body of a deceased elephant? Evidently, the logical response was to bury it “at the main crossroads of the township.” (1) The troupe and township buried the animal and planted a gum tree over top to act as a grave marker so it would not be forgotten.
The tree grew quite tall and wide, and was standing until just a few years ago. It was likely over 100 years old, before it fell during a storm. It was a landmark to anyone in the county, often used to explain directions, as it was at the center of the town. There is, of course, opposition to the legend in the form of a plausible explanation. Kenneth Wishnick, assistant director of the Cumberland County PLanning Board at the time this Bridgeton Evening News article was published, stated, “Since road names or route number signs had not been in existence, landmarks such as the gum tree have been extremely important in giving local directions.” (1) Another plausible explanation as to why the tree became so famous, being utilized for decades as a directional landmark.
Another iteration of the legend suggests that the elephant escaped from its captivity with the troupe and died elsewhere, with the end remaining the same. Some locals suggest that that’s why the tree grew to be so large, because of the decaying matter beneath it. The likelihood of a circus elephant being buried at Gum Tree Corner is pretty slim, but it certainly makes for an interesting story to tell those who grew up in the area.
In keeping with local legends about elephant burials, there is a legend from Elk Township in Gloucester County, NJ, that also boasts a story of a missing circus elephant. There is a trail that people can walk or ride their bikes along called the “Elephant Swamp Bicycle Trail,” where many go to scout wildlife and enjoy the quieter parts of the Garden State. The path was carved out during the days of the Pennsylvania-Reading Railroad, which had a line that went through South Jersey, from Glassboro to Bridgeton, in the 1870s. The story, much like the Gum Tree Corner story, had the circus traveling through the area using the railroad when an elephant escaped custody. It ran away and allegedly into the nearby swamp, never to be seen again. Thus, the area became known as Elephant Swamp. (5) It remains unclear what the fascination is with runaway circus elephants and local landmarks being named for them, but it was apparently a common occurrence. Urban legends and myths, stories that often stem from boredom or taking creative liberties from true tales, are an interesting aspect of society and culture that can be found all over the world. These stories often bring people together and make mysteries out of stories as another way to connect with the past.
1. Eileen Bennett, “Gum Tree Corner Marked by Legend,” Bridgeton Evening News, (November 8, 1980.) https://www.genealogybank.com/doc/newspapers/image/v2%3A124ABFFE25150BEB%40GB3NEWS-186CB272383F04DA%402444552-186CACF2617CAED2%400?fname=Eileen&lname=Bennett&fullname=&rgfromDate=&rgtoDate=&formDate=&formDateFlex=exact&dateType=range&kwinc=Gum%20Tree%20Corner&kwexc=&sid=nreemelkztdufljzibknqzmejdeticit_ip-10-166-46-162_1725890529727
2. “The Scribbler,” Bridgeton Evening News, (December 16, 1977.)
https://www.genealogybank.com/doc/newspapers/image/v2%3A124ABFFE25150BEB%40GB3NEWS-186BABE258076170%402443494-1867C8381D7D59B9%406-1867C8381D7D59B9%40?h=7&fname=&lname=&fullname=&kwinc=%22gum%20tree%20corner%22%20elephant&kwexc=&rgfromDate=&rgtoDate=&formDate=&formDateFlex=exact&dateType=range&processingtime=&addedFrom=&addedTo=&sid=jiamotpbeihzkzhigjpprthlozxlkuvr_ip-10-166-46-88_1723734180879
3. The News of Cumberland County, (August 21, 2010.) https://www.genealogybank.com/doc/newspapers/image/v2%3A18590AFD8794D831%40GB3NEWS-187C17F8B710426D%402455430-187A39E011A3E9BA%405-187A39E011A3E9BA%40?h=2&fname=&lname=&fullname=&kwinc=%22gum%20tree%20corner%22%20elephant&kwexc=&rgfromDate=&rgtoDate=&formDate=&formDateFlex=exact&dateType=range&processingtime=&addedFrom=&addedTo=&sid=jiamotpbeihzkzhigjpprthlozxlkuvr_ip-10-166-46-88_1723734180879
4. “Sweet-Gum,” The Morton Arboretum, (April 26, 2022.) https://mortonarb.org/plant-and-protect/trees-and-plants/sweet-gum/
5. “The Enchanting Elephant Swamp in Elk Township,” South Jersey History & Adventures, (April 27, 2014) https://southjerseyadventures.wordpress.com/2014/04/27/elephant-swamp-in-elk-township/