In the early 19th century, circus impresario John Bill Ricketts opened his "New Amphitheatre" on Greenwich streets, designed by Joseph-François Mangin, where sell-out crowds watched his "Equestrian Circus" which featured "clowns, tightrope walkers, tumblers, acrobatic riders, mounted Indians and fireworks." This continued a tradition for the area, as 150 years earlier "Vauxhall Gardens", which boasted a wax museum and fireworks and served afternoon teas, was put up by Samuel Fraunces, of Fraunces Tavern, near the present corner of Greenwich and Warren Streets.