If You Think Clowns Are Creepy, Don't Look At These Awesome Vintage Circus Photos

If You Think Clowns Are Creepy, Don't Look At This

Family entertainment sure has come a long way since the heyday of traveling circuses in the United States.

For example, check out this collection of images taken by amateur photographer Charles W. Cushman that document a series stops in Chicago by the traveling Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus between 1944 and 1951.

Some of the vintage photos, taken over 60 years ago and archived by Indiana University, have an eerie quality. All of them reflect an essentially bygone era. Though a Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey tour continues to this day, the popularity of the circus was never the same after television and movies gained prominence in the 1950s and 1960s. Allegations of animal abuse have also plagued the circus through the years.

We don't recommend scrolling down if you suffer from coulrophobia, the fear of clowns.

The Ringling Circus arrives south of Soldier Field in 1951.
Four plumed horses draw carriage in front of Soldier Field in 1944.
King Cole and Bo Peep participate in the birthday pageant in 1949. Creepy factor = high.
Clowns pose on opening day in 1947.
A barber shop float in 1951. Check out that "deer head!"
Gray circus horses and pink costumes in 1949.
The Alzanas highwire daredevils pose for a photo in 1949.
The trick bicycle act poses in 1946.
Even dogs got in on the action -- here's Charles Peterson and his jockey dogs in 1949.
Get those trunks in the air like you just don't care.
Clown and ballerina characters from a 1949 birthday pageant.
Two young German girls in head-on-hand balancing act in 1950.
"Tramp clown" Emmett Kelly in 1949.
Alzana in costume for Gold Rush tableau in 1949.
An elephant in butterfly getup in 1947.
"Little Emily" the "midget elephant" in 1949.
Acrobats pose for group picture in 1949.
A "queen" poses on a parade float in 1951.
Felix Adler the clown feeds Jell-O to Curly-locks.
Harold Alzana practicing a handstand in 1949.
The Liliput float in 1947.
Two Alzanas hang out their wash in 1949.
Cinderella's pumpkin coach in 1947.
An aerialist in 1946.
Clown Lou Jacobs poses by his wheels in 1949.

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