The concept of the circus has been around for a couple hundred years. It has gone through several evolutions but many of the ideas have stayed the same. Circuses offer a form of entertainment that audiences will rarely see anywhere else.
Some common features of the circus are the iconic bit top tent, performers doing stunts such as tight-rope walking, acrobatics, and body contortions. Circuses also often used to have exotic animals, most commonly elephants, lions, and bears, performing tricks. This practice has largely stopped due to the treatment of the animals.
Barnum and Bailey have become synonymous with the history of circuses. P.T. Barnum also popularized the ‘freak show’ aspect of circuses. Freak shows often consisted of performers who had physical abnormalities that people would pay to see up close.
Circuses have become quite controversial over the years due to the amount of exploitation and treatment of people and animals. But for many decades, people came from all over when the traveling circus rolled into town.
Let’s take a look through some vintage photographs of early circus life.
