At the end of the nineteenth century, periodicals such as La Comète Belge were an important professional and social communication medium, connecting itinerant showpeople across Europe. It was used to circulate news, advice, complaints, meeting minutes, marriages, rumours, and much more. Tucked away between these longer stretches of text, is a remarkable set of practical lists, called “maisons recommandées”. These offered showpeople trusted places to eat, sleep, repair equipment, or simply meet colleagues while on the road. I was curious about the location of these establishments, the services…