Check out these vintage circus photos from the early 20th century, when audiences crammed into tents to witness spectacles of danger.
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1 of 37Trainer Walter McClain works with his elephants at the Ringling Circus stop in Sarasota, Florida. 1940.Wikimedia Commons 2 of 37A clown acts out a routine with another circus performer dressed in a lion suit. Date unspecified.Wikimedia Commons 3 of 37Strongman circus performer Alexander Marshal lifts two women holding onto a steel pull gripped in his teeth. Circa 1930s. Hulton-Deutsch/Getty Images 4 of 37A clown from Hanneford’s Canadian Circus shows off his “big pants.” 1910. Wikimedia Commons 5 of 37An elephant is hoisted with pulleys off a ship and onto the dock below. Date unspecified.Wikimedia Commons 6 of 37Two of Barnum & Bailey’s most popular performers, circus giant George Anger and Pygmie Klik-Ko, pose for a photo. 1918. Bettmann/Getty Images 7 of 37Contortionist Salm the “elastic wonder of the world” sits atop a flower vase. Circa early 1900s. Bettmann/Getty Images 8 of 37Circus life wasn’t easy for the animals. Here men gather around the body of Barnum & Bailey’s deceased elephant. Fritz, France. 1902. Wikimedia Commons 9 of 37As people watch from a nearby rooftop, the family members of the Otaris aerial troupe balance upside down on a high-wire, Sarasota, Florida. 1930. Soibelman/Getty Images 10 of 37Spectators gather on the sidewalks of New York City to watch the circus parade down the street. Circa 1920s. New York Public Library 11 of 37A brave daredevil in the spotlight walks the tightrope for an audience of circus attendees. Circa early 1900s. Bettmann/Getty Images 12 of 37Olga the lion tamer, armed with only a chair and a stick, tests the patience of three male lions. Date unspecified.Hulton-Deutsch/Getty Images 13 of 37Ringling Bros Circus clown Emmett Kelly puts the finishing touches on his makeup while getting ready for the show. Sarasota, Florida. 1945.Wikimedia Commons 14 of 37One of the posters used by Ringling Bros and Barnum & Bailey Circus. Circa 1920s. Library of Congress 15 of 37The Flying Wallendas perfect their tightrope walking routine. 1944. Bettmann/Getty Images 16 of 37The Ringling Bros ringmaster makes final preparations before starting the show for an eager audience. Circa early 1900s. Bettmann/Getty Images 17 of 37A young lion tamer named Adije poses with her feline performers. 1899.Library of Congress 18 of 37A group of kids takes a peek under the tent of the Cole Bros Circus that had set up across the street from Yankee Stadium in New York City. 1950.Bettmann/Getty Images 19 of 37Clowns Albert “Flo” White, left, and Gene Lewis from the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus pose for the camera during a stop in Sarasota, Florida. 1945.Wikimedia Commons 20 of 37Children gather around to look at a circus lion housed in its cage before the start of the show. Date unspecified.Wikimedia Commons 21 of 37The crew of Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus works to raise the big tent for the final show of the season: Sarasota, Florida. 1945.Wikimedia Commons 22 of 37Three women brave enough to be part of the show work with Trainer Walter McClain and his elephants. 1940.Wikimedia Commons 23 of 37A trainer works with a camel at a circus in Slovenia. 1957.Wikimedia Commons 24 of 37A trainer works with a leopard to perform tricks for circus audiences. 1906. Wikimedia Commons 25 of 37A clown in the Cole Bros Circus chats with actor Spencer Tracy during one of the circus’ performances in Hollywood, California. Date unspecified. Bettmann/Getty Images 26 of 37Four performers from Hanneford’s Canadian Circus pose for the camera. 1910.Wikimedia Commons 27 of 37A poster advertising the feats of acrobatics and wild animals that await visitors to the Forepaugh & Sells Circus. 1899. Wikimedia Commons 28 of 37The area directly behind the circus tent where performers prepared for and staged their entrances through the “back door” came to be known as the “backyard." 1928. Wikimedia Commons 29 of 37A female lion tamer works with a group of lions from the Bertram Mills Touring Circus. Date unspecified.Wikimedia Commons 30 of 37Because of the large number of animals as well as the physical components of the circus tent itself, many circuses used their own train cars to travel. Florida. Early 1907.Wikimedia Commons 31 of 37Men pose beside one of Barnum & Bailey’s train cars before leaving for their show in the next town. Circa early 1900s. Wikimedia Commons 32 of 37A woman brushes the teeth of a circus hippo while on a break in Berlin. 1921. Haeckel/Getty Images 33 of 37Children watch as Ringling Circus clown Lou Jacobs applies his makeup in Tallahasse, Florida. 1941.Wikimedia Commons 34 of 37A trainer lunges at a lion in Brisbane, Australia. 1903. Wikimedia Commons 35 of 37A poster advertising the allure of Barnum & Bailey’s first female elephant trainer. 1915. New York Public Library 36 of 37A crowd makes its way to the entrance of the Hagenbeck-Wallace Circus. 1935.Wikimedia Commons 37 of 37Like this gallery?Share it:
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Under The Big Top: 36 Photos From The Early Days Of The Circus View Gallery
In May of 2017, The Ringling Bros and Barnum & Bailey Circus finished its final show, ending its run of 146 years. The self-proclaimed “greatest show on Earth” had seen declining ticket sales for years and the high operating costs of such an event made it no longer feasible, the outfit’s CEO Kenneth Feld, told CNN.
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1 of 37Trainer Walter McClain works with his elephants at the Ringling Circus stop in Sarasota, Florida. 1940.Wikimedia Commons 2 of 37A clown acts out a routine with another circus performer dressed in a lion suit. Date unspecified.Wikimedia Commons 3 of 37Strongman circus performer Alexander Marshal lifts two women holding onto a steel pull gripped in his teeth. Circa 1930s. Hulton-Deutsch/Getty Images 4 of 37A clown from Hanneford’s Canadian Circus shows off his “big pants.” 1910. Wikimedia Commons 5 of 37An elephant is hoisted with pulleys off a ship and onto the dock below. Date unspecified.Wikimedia Commons 6 of 37Two of Barnum & Bailey’s most popular performers, circus giant George Anger and Pygmie Klik-Ko, pose for a photo. 1918. Bettmann/Getty Images 7 of 37Contortionist Salm the “elastic wonder of the world” sits atop a flower vase. Circa early 1900s. Bettmann/Getty Images 8 of 37Circus life wasn’t easy for the animals. Here men gather around the body of Barnum & Bailey’s deceased elephant. Fritz, France. 1902. Wikimedia Commons 9 of 37As people watch from a nearby rooftop, the family members of the Otaris aerial troupe balance upside down on a high-wire, Sarasota, Florida. 1930. Soibelman/Getty Images 10 of 37Spectators gather on the sidewalks of New York City to watch the circus parade down the street. Circa 1920s. New York Public Library 11 of 37A brave daredevil in the spotlight walks the tightrope for an audience of circus attendees. Circa early 1900s. Bettmann/Getty Images 12 of 37Olga the lion tamer, armed with only a chair and a stick, tests the patience of three male lions. Date unspecified.Hulton-Deutsch/Getty Images 13 of 37Ringling Bros Circus clown Emmett Kelly puts the finishing touches on his makeup while getting ready for the show. Sarasota, Florida. 1945.Wikimedia Commons 14 of 37One of the posters used by Ringling Bros and Barnum & Bailey Circus. Circa 1920s. Library of Congress 15 of 37The Flying Wallendas perfect their tightrope walking routine. 1944. Bettmann/Getty Images 16 of 37The Ringling Bros ringmaster makes final preparations before starting the show for an eager audience. Circa early 1900s. Bettmann/Getty Images 17 of 37A young lion tamer named Adije poses with her feline performers. 1899.Library of Congress 18 of 37A group of kids takes a peek under the tent of the Cole Bros Circus that had set up across the street from Yankee Stadium in New York City. 1950.Bettmann/Getty Images 19 of 37Clowns Albert “Flo” White, left, and Gene Lewis from the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus pose for the camera during a stop in Sarasota, Florida. 1945.Wikimedia Commons 20 of 37Children gather around to look at a circus lion housed in its cage before the start of the show. Date unspecified.Wikimedia Commons 21 of 37The crew of Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus works to raise the big tent for the final show of the season: Sarasota, Florida. 1945.Wikimedia Commons 22 of 37Three women brave enough to be part of the show work with Trainer Walter McClain and his elephants. 1940.Wikimedia Commons 23 of 37A trainer works with a camel at a circus in Slovenia. 1957.Wikimedia Commons 24 of 37A trainer works with a leopard to perform tricks for circus audiences. 1906. Wikimedia Commons 25 of 37A clown in the Cole Bros Circus chats with actor Spencer Tracy during one of the circus’ performances in Hollywood, California. Date unspecified. Bettmann/Getty Images 26 of 37Four performers from Hanneford’s Canadian Circus pose for the camera. 1910.Wikimedia Commons 27 of 37A poster advertising the feats of acrobatics and wild animals that await visitors to the Forepaugh & Sells Circus. 1899. Wikimedia Commons 28 of 37The area directly behind the circus tent where performers prepared for and staged their entrances through the “back door” came to be known as the “backyard." 1928. Wikimedia Commons 29 of 37A female lion tamer works with a group of lions from the Bertram Mills Touring Circus. Date unspecified.Wikimedia Commons 30 of 37Because of the large number of animals as well as the physical components of the circus tent itself, many circuses used their own train cars to travel. Florida. Early 1907.Wikimedia Commons 31 of 37Men pose beside one of Barnum & Bailey’s train cars before leaving for their show in the next town. Circa early 1900s. Wikimedia Commons 32 of 37A woman brushes the teeth of a circus hippo while on a break in Berlin. 1921. Haeckel/Getty Images 33 of 37Children watch as Ringling Circus clown Lou Jacobs applies his makeup in Tallahasse, Florida. 1941.Wikimedia Commons 34 of 37A trainer lunges at a lion in Brisbane, Australia. 1903. Wikimedia Commons 35 of 37A poster advertising the allure of Barnum & Bailey’s first female elephant trainer. 1915. New York Public Library 36 of 37A crowd makes its way to the entrance of the Hagenbeck-Wallace Circus. 1935.Wikimedia Commons 37 of 37Like this gallery?Share it:
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Before-And-After Photos Of Plastic Surgery’s Early Days
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1 of 37Trainer Walter McClain works with his elephants at the Ringling Circus stop in Sarasota, Florida. 1940.Wikimedia Commons 2 of 37A clown acts out a routine with another circus performer dressed in a lion suit. Date unspecified.Wikimedia Commons 3 of 37Strongman circus performer Alexander Marshal lifts two women holding onto a steel pull gripped in his teeth. Circa 1930s. Hulton-Deutsch/Getty Images 4 of 37A clown from Hanneford’s Canadian Circus shows off his “big pants.” 1910. Wikimedia Commons 5 of 37An elephant is hoisted with pulleys off a ship and onto the dock below. Date unspecified.Wikimedia Commons 6 of 37Two of Barnum & Bailey’s most popular performers, circus giant George Anger and Pygmie Klik-Ko, pose for a photo. 1918. Bettmann/Getty Images 7 of 37Contortionist Salm the “elastic wonder of the world” sits atop a flower vase. Circa early 1900s. Bettmann/Getty Images 8 of 37Circus life wasn’t easy for the animals. Here men gather around the body of Barnum & Bailey’s deceased elephant. Fritz, France. 1902. Wikimedia Commons 9 of 37As people watch from a nearby rooftop, the family members of the Otaris aerial troupe balance upside down on a high-wire, Sarasota, Florida. 1930. Soibelman/Getty Images 10 of 37Spectators gather on the sidewalks of New York City to watch the circus parade down the street. Circa 1920s. New York Public Library 11 of 37A brave daredevil in the spotlight walks the tightrope for an audience of circus attendees. Circa early 1900s. Bettmann/Getty Images 12 of 37Olga the lion tamer, armed with only a chair and a stick, tests the patience of three male lions. Date unspecified.Hulton-Deutsch/Getty Images 13 of 37Ringling Bros Circus clown Emmett Kelly puts the finishing touches on his makeup while getting ready for the show. Sarasota, Florida. 1945.Wikimedia Commons 14 of 37One of the posters used by Ringling Bros and Barnum & Bailey Circus. Circa 1920s. Library of Congress 15 of 37The Flying Wallendas perfect their tightrope walking routine. 1944. Bettmann/Getty Images 16 of 37The Ringling Bros ringmaster makes final preparations before starting the show for an eager audience. Circa early 1900s. Bettmann/Getty Images 17 of 37A young lion tamer named Adije poses with her feline performers. 1899.Library of Congress 18 of 37A group of kids takes a peek under the tent of the Cole Bros Circus that had set up across the street from Yankee Stadium in New York City. 1950.Bettmann/Getty Images 19 of 37Clowns Albert “Flo” White, left, and Gene Lewis from the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus pose for the camera during a stop in Sarasota, Florida. 1945.Wikimedia Commons 20 of 37Children gather around to look at a circus lion housed in its cage before the start of the show. Date unspecified.Wikimedia Commons 21 of 37The crew of Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus works to raise the big tent for the final show of the season: Sarasota, Florida. 1945.Wikimedia Commons 22 of 37Three women brave enough to be part of the show work with Trainer Walter McClain and his elephants. 1940.Wikimedia Commons 23 of 37A trainer works with a camel at a circus in Slovenia. 1957.Wikimedia Commons 24 of 37A trainer works with a leopard to perform tricks for circus audiences. 1906. Wikimedia Commons 25 of 37A clown in the Cole Bros Circus chats with actor Spencer Tracy during one of the circus’ performances in Hollywood, California. Date unspecified. Bettmann/Getty Images 26 of 37Four performers from Hanneford’s Canadian Circus pose for the camera. 1910.Wikimedia Commons 27 of 37A poster advertising the feats of acrobatics and wild animals that await visitors to the Forepaugh & Sells Circus. 1899. Wikimedia Commons 28 of 37The area directly behind the circus tent where performers prepared for and staged their entrances through the “back door” came to be known as the “backyard." 1928. Wikimedia Commons 29 of 37A female lion tamer works with a group of lions from the Bertram Mills Touring Circus. Date unspecified.Wikimedia Commons 30 of 37Because of the large number of animals as well as the physical components of the circus tent itself, many circuses used their own train cars to travel. Florida. Early 1907.Wikimedia Commons 31 of 37Men pose beside one of Barnum & Bailey’s train cars before leaving for their show in the next town. Circa early 1900s. Wikimedia Commons 32 of 37A woman brushes the teeth of a circus hippo while on a break in Berlin. 1921. Haeckel/Getty Images 33 of 37Children watch as Ringling Circus clown Lou Jacobs applies his makeup in Tallahasse, Florida. 1941.Wikimedia Commons 34 of 37A trainer lunges at a lion in Brisbane, Australia. 1903. Wikimedia Commons 35 of 37A poster advertising the allure of Barnum & Bailey’s first female elephant trainer. 1915. New York Public Library 36 of 37A crowd makes its way to the entrance of the Hagenbeck-Wallace Circus. 1935.Wikimedia Commons 37 of 37Like this gallery?Share it:
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Before-And-After Photos Of Plastic Surgery’s Early Days
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24 Raw Photos From The Wild Old Days Of Women’s Wrestling
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1 of 37Trainer Walter McClain works with his elephants at the Ringling Circus stop in Sarasota, Florida. 1940.Wikimedia Commons 2 of 37A clown acts out a routine with another circus performer dressed in a lion suit. Date unspecified.Wikimedia Commons 3 of 37Strongman circus performer Alexander Marshal lifts two women holding onto a steel pull gripped in his teeth. Circa 1930s. Hulton-Deutsch/Getty Images 4 of 37A clown from Hanneford’s Canadian Circus shows off his “big pants.” 1910. Wikimedia Commons 5 of 37An elephant is hoisted with pulleys off a ship and onto the dock below. Date unspecified.Wikimedia Commons 6 of 37Two of Barnum & Bailey’s most popular performers, circus giant George Anger and Pygmie Klik-Ko, pose for a photo. 1918. Bettmann/Getty Images 7 of 37Contortionist Salm the “elastic wonder of the world” sits atop a flower vase. Circa early 1900s. Bettmann/Getty Images 8 of 37Circus life wasn’t easy for the animals. Here men gather around the body of Barnum & Bailey’s deceased elephant. Fritz, France. 1902. Wikimedia Commons 9 of 37As people watch from a nearby rooftop, the family members of the Otaris aerial troupe balance upside down on a high-wire, Sarasota, Florida. 1930. Soibelman/Getty Images 10 of 37Spectators gather on the sidewalks of New York City to watch the circus parade down the street. Circa 1920s. New York Public Library 11 of 37A brave daredevil in the spotlight walks the tightrope for an audience of circus attendees. Circa early 1900s. Bettmann/Getty Images 12 of 37Olga the lion tamer, armed with only a chair and a stick, tests the patience of three male lions. Date unspecified.Hulton-Deutsch/Getty Images 13 of 37Ringling Bros Circus clown Emmett Kelly puts the finishing touches on his makeup while getting ready for the show. Sarasota, Florida. 1945.Wikimedia Commons 14 of 37One of the posters used by Ringling Bros and Barnum & Bailey Circus. Circa 1920s. Library of Congress 15 of 37The Flying Wallendas perfect their tightrope walking routine. 1944. Bettmann/Getty Images 16 of 37The Ringling Bros ringmaster makes final preparations before starting the show for an eager audience. Circa early 1900s. Bettmann/Getty Images 17 of 37A young lion tamer named Adije poses with her feline performers. 1899.Library of Congress 18 of 37A group of kids takes a peek under the tent of the Cole Bros Circus that had set up across the street from Yankee Stadium in New York City. 1950.Bettmann/Getty Images 19 of 37Clowns Albert “Flo” White, left, and Gene Lewis from the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus pose for the camera during a stop in Sarasota, Florida. 1945.Wikimedia Commons 20 of 37Children gather around to look at a circus lion housed in its cage before the start of the show. Date unspecified.Wikimedia Commons 21 of 37The crew of Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus works to raise the big tent for the final show of the season: Sarasota, Florida. 1945.Wikimedia Commons 22 of 37Three women brave enough to be part of the show work with Trainer Walter McClain and his elephants. 1940.Wikimedia Commons 23 of 37A trainer works with a camel at a circus in Slovenia. 1957.Wikimedia Commons 24 of 37A trainer works with a leopard to perform tricks for circus audiences. 1906. Wikimedia Commons 25 of 37A clown in the Cole Bros Circus chats with actor Spencer Tracy during one of the circus’ performances in Hollywood, California. Date unspecified. Bettmann/Getty Images 26 of 37Four performers from Hanneford’s Canadian Circus pose for the camera. 1910.Wikimedia Commons 27 of 37A poster advertising the feats of acrobatics and wild animals that await visitors to the Forepaugh & Sells Circus. 1899. Wikimedia Commons 28 of 37The area directly behind the circus tent where performers prepared for and staged their entrances through the “back door” came to be known as the “backyard." 1928. Wikimedia Commons 29 of 37A female lion tamer works with a group of lions from the Bertram Mills Touring Circus. Date unspecified.Wikimedia Commons 30 of 37Because of the large number of animals as well as the physical components of the circus tent itself, many circuses used their own train cars to travel. Florida. Early 1907.Wikimedia Commons 31 of 37Men pose beside one of Barnum & Bailey’s train cars before leaving for their show in the next town. Circa early 1900s. Wikimedia Commons 32 of 37A woman brushes the teeth of a circus hippo while on a break in Berlin. 1921. Haeckel/Getty Images 33 of 37Children watch as Ringling Circus clown Lou Jacobs applies his makeup in Tallahasse, Florida. 1941.Wikimedia Commons 34 of 37A trainer lunges at a lion in Brisbane, Australia. 1903. Wikimedia Commons 35 of 37A poster advertising the allure of Barnum & Bailey’s first female elephant trainer. 1915. New York Public Library 36 of 37A crowd makes its way to the entrance of the Hagenbeck-Wallace Circus. 1935.Wikimedia Commons 37 of 37Like this gallery?Share it:
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1 of 37Trainer Walter McClain works with his elephants at the Ringling Circus stop in Sarasota, Florida. 1940.Wikimedia Commons
2 of 37A clown acts out a routine with another circus performer dressed in a lion suit. Date unspecified.Wikimedia Commons
3 of 37Strongman circus performer Alexander Marshal lifts two women holding onto a steel pull gripped in his teeth. Circa 1930s. Hulton-Deutsch/Getty Images
4 of 37A clown from Hanneford’s Canadian Circus shows off his “big pants.” 1910. Wikimedia Commons
5 of 37An elephant is hoisted with pulleys off a ship and onto the dock below. Date unspecified.Wikimedia Commons
6 of 37Two of Barnum & Bailey’s most popular performers, circus giant George Anger and Pygmie Klik-Ko, pose for a photo. 1918. Bettmann/Getty Images
7 of 37Contortionist Salm the “elastic wonder of the world” sits atop a flower vase. Circa early 1900s. Bettmann/Getty Images
8 of 37Circus life wasn’t easy for the animals. Here men gather around the body of Barnum & Bailey’s deceased elephant. Fritz, France. 1902. Wikimedia Commons
9 of 37As people watch from a nearby rooftop, the family members of the Otaris aerial troupe balance upside down on a high-wire, Sarasota, Florida. 1930. Soibelman/Getty Images
10 of 37Spectators gather on the sidewalks of New York City to watch the circus parade down the street. Circa 1920s. New York Public Library
11 of 37A brave daredevil in the spotlight walks the tightrope for an audience of circus attendees. Circa early 1900s. Bettmann/Getty Images
12 of 37Olga the lion tamer, armed with only a chair and a stick, tests the patience of three male lions. Date unspecified.Hulton-Deutsch/Getty Images
13 of 37Ringling Bros Circus clown Emmett Kelly puts the finishing touches on his makeup while getting ready for the show. Sarasota, Florida. 1945.Wikimedia Commons
14 of 37One of the posters used by Ringling Bros and Barnum & Bailey Circus. Circa 1920s. Library of Congress
15 of 37The Flying Wallendas perfect their tightrope walking routine. 1944. Bettmann/Getty Images
16 of 37The Ringling Bros ringmaster makes final preparations before starting the show for an eager audience. Circa early 1900s. Bettmann/Getty Images
17 of 37A young lion tamer named Adije poses with her feline performers. 1899.Library of Congress
18 of 37A group of kids takes a peek under the tent of the Cole Bros Circus that had set up across the street from Yankee Stadium in New York City. 1950.Bettmann/Getty Images
19 of 37Clowns Albert “Flo” White, left, and Gene Lewis from the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus pose for the camera during a stop in Sarasota, Florida. 1945.Wikimedia Commons
20 of 37Children gather around to look at a circus lion housed in its cage before the start of the show. Date unspecified.Wikimedia Commons
21 of 37The crew of Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus works to raise the big tent for the final show of the season: Sarasota, Florida. 1945.Wikimedia Commons
22 of 37Three women brave enough to be part of the show work with Trainer Walter McClain and his elephants. 1940.Wikimedia Commons
23 of 37A trainer works with a camel at a circus in Slovenia. 1957.Wikimedia Commons
24 of 37A trainer works with a leopard to perform tricks for circus audiences. 1906. Wikimedia Commons
25 of 37A clown in the Cole Bros Circus chats with actor Spencer Tracy during one of the circus’ performances in Hollywood, California. Date unspecified. Bettmann/Getty Images
26 of 37Four performers from Hanneford’s Canadian Circus pose for the camera. 1910.Wikimedia Commons
27 of 37A poster advertising the feats of acrobatics and wild animals that await visitors to the Forepaugh & Sells Circus. 1899. Wikimedia Commons
28 of 37The area directly behind the circus tent where performers prepared for and staged their entrances through the “back door” came to be known as the “backyard." 1928. Wikimedia Commons
29 of 37A female lion tamer works with a group of lions from the Bertram Mills Touring Circus. Date unspecified.Wikimedia Commons
30 of 37Because of the large number of animals as well as the physical components of the circus tent itself, many circuses used their own train cars to travel. Florida. Early 1907.Wikimedia Commons
31 of 37Men pose beside one of Barnum & Bailey’s train cars before leaving for their show in the next town. Circa early 1900s. Wikimedia Commons
32 of 37A woman brushes the teeth of a circus hippo while on a break in Berlin. 1921. Haeckel/Getty Images
33 of 37Children watch as Ringling Circus clown Lou Jacobs applies his makeup in Tallahasse, Florida. 1941.Wikimedia Commons
34 of 37A trainer lunges at a lion in Brisbane, Australia. 1903. Wikimedia Commons
35 of 37A poster advertising the allure of Barnum & Bailey’s first female elephant trainer. 1915. New York Public Library
36 of 37A crowd makes its way to the entrance of the Hagenbeck-Wallace Circus. 1935.Wikimedia Commons
37 of 37Like this gallery?Share it:
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Under The Big Top: 36 Photos From The Early Days Of The Circus View Gallery
Under The Big Top: 36 Photos From The Early Days Of The Circus View Gallery
Under The Big Top: 36 Photos From The Early Days Of The Circus View Gallery
Under The Big Top: 36 Photos From The Early Days Of The Circus View Gallery
Under The Big Top: 36 Photos From The Early Days Of The Circus
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In a way, it doesn’t seem terribly surprising that a spectacle as grand as the circus wouldn’t have a place in the 21st century. On the one hand, many people these days don’t have to (or want to) leave their homes for entertainment. On the other, evolving views on animal welfare caused the circus to fall under intense pressure to end its use of elephants from animal rights activists.
The negative publicity, which rarely mentioned Barnum & Bailey’s conservation efforts, did eventually lead to the circus taking its elephants out of the show. The move however, wasn’t enough to save the show in the end.
The idea of the modern circus — a group of performers working together under a large “big top” tent — first came about in the mid-1700s. It wasn’t until the mid to late 1800s, though, that the circus really started to spring up as a premier entertainment attraction in Europe, Russia, and the United States.
The life of a circus performer wasn’t an easy one. Acrobats, clowns, and other showmen were often away from family most of the year and spent most of the day working to set up the tents and waiting around for the few hours that made up showtime.
For animals, especially prior to any sort of animal welfare laws, circus life wasn’t particularly kind. Elephants, lions, tigers, and other large animals that need a substantial amount of space were almost always confined to small cages. Performance training often employed abuse, and nearly all circus animals frequently suffered from medical problems.
Of course, circuses still delight audiences with spectacles of danger and acrobatics throughout the world today. Cirque du Soleil is incredibly popular and regularly sells out shows. It’s safe to assume, though, that the glory days of the vintage circus of old, the “Greatest Show on Earth,” are gone.
After checking out these vintage circus photos, discover the sad true stories of some of the Ringling Brothers’ most famous “freak show” members, and take a closer look at the literally murderous performer known as “Lobster Boy.” Then, see the most surreal photos of Andre the Giant ever taken.
