Born in 1905, Charles Stacy Kitto came to Beloit at age 12 to live with his father and stepmother after the death of his grandparents. He was a lifelong Beloiter and was internationally known for his knowledge of circus lore and collections of big top memorabilia. In Beloit he is also remembered for his contributions to the community and to the arts.

Kitto’s love for the circus began in 1909, when at the age of four he saw his first circus in Mineral Point. He was able to watch the circus performers, wagons and animals from the home of his grandparents where he lived following the death of his mother. That first glimpse of the circus turned into a fascination.

He was known for being at every circus performance within a fifty-mile radius of Beloit. It was his influence that drew Ringling Brothers and Barnum & Bailey Circus to Beloit for performances in 1946, 1952 and 1956.

Kitto had outstanding collections of circus photographs and memorabilia and showed them freely to children of friends, neighbors and Beloit schools. He maintained an ongoing correspondence with circus people and buffs throughout the United States. He gave talks on circus lore to groups throughout the Beloit area, Wisconsin and Illinois.

When the Circus World Museum was founded in Baraboo, Kitto was asked to be the first librarian but turned down the offer saying he would rather stay with his print shop and keep circus as a hobby. He was consulted by the museum to help prepare displays and often gave advice on the restoration of old circus wagons.

Kitto and his wife, Helen, were honored by being asked to ride on circus wagons in the Milwaukee Circus Parade in four different years in the 1970’s.

But Charley Kitto was also known in Beloit as “Kitto the Printer” and for his activities on behalf of the community.

He died in 1982.