20 Circus Freaks That Actually Existed

In the late nineteenth and early twentieth century, freak shows were considered a typical element of American culture. The exhibitions were seen as a suitable amusement for the middle class and were profitable for the showmen. Join us, as we look at 20 circus freaks that actually existed.

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Ella Harper

Ella Harper was born in Hendersonville, Tennessee, shortly after the Civil War, with an unusual disease that caused her legs to bend backward, which turned her into a spectacle. She preferred walking on all fours rather than two, and this, combined with America's disgusting love for sideshow "freaks," was enough to make her a circus attraction. Known as the "Camel Girl," she drew thousands of stares. W.H. Harris, an ambitious showman, was anxious to have the most diverse roster of "freaks" possible and, upon hearing of Harper, offered her a hefty payment to sign with him. Ella Harper earned $200 a week as a featured attraction in Harris' Nickel Plate Circus, which is roughly $5,000 today.

This enabled her to find a home while also pursuing a profitable career. Her career, on the other hand, frequently humiliated her. Aside from the obnoxious term "Camel Girl," Harper was also shoved onstage with a real camel, and paying viewers were encouraged to marvel at the similarities. Harper was adamant about quitting and ultimately, after a year’s worth of weekly $200 payments, she did. Ella Harper's post-circus activities are unknown, but it is thought that she pursued education and returned to her native home immediately after quitting the freak show circuit. Tragic events seemed to follow her, when their father died in a house fire in 1890, and Harper's brother Willie died roughly five years later.

The Siamese Twins

Chun and I were born in Siam, now Thailand, in 1811, with a four-inch band of flesh connecting them at the chest. Chang and Eng, as they became known in the West, left Siam as teenagers to pursue a career displaying their physical abnormality. The brothers quickly became objects of fascination, and their personal lives became a source of speculation. For more than a decade, the "Siamese Twins" performed in front of royalty, elite medical specialists, and public audiences throughout Europe and the Americas.

By the 1830s, Chang and Eng had become household names, so well-known that future conjoined twins would be dubbed "Siamese Twins." For centuries, they have served as inspiration for poems, plays, novels, and biographies. They are relevant in current discussions of the nineteenth-century South, race, popular culture, Asian studies, and disability studies as Asian immigrants to the southern United States, enslavers, showmen, and human curiosities.

[JenniferAllan-bevf]

Did not like the superimposed pictures of doctors at the same time as the photos they covered up. Very disorientating.

[kylemoran]

Johnny & Robert Eckhardt were extremely talented and as normal as could be. They were also my great uncles, and I loved them and I miss them so very much !

[kellyshomemadekitchen]

Very interesting video but what’s going on with all the double images of two doctors in the background?

[petebeatminister]

I like the quote "There are more freaks in the audience than on the stage." :)

[ronettastafford]

I see a lot of mistakes that I looked up. For example Schlitzie Curtis did not die soon after making the move Freaks he lived to be 70 some 40 years later. These people who lived hard and some tragic lives need to be written about accurately they deserve that recognition honor and respect.

[kareemawheat]

I lived across the street from mr Eck when I was little, he was a nice sweet old man who told great stories.

[tonycanabal]

The movie "Freaks" shocked and disgusted some people when it came out but it was a good movie that showed they were people too, and showed how cruel the two "normal" lead characters were.

[gutz]

I know it seems quite exploiting of disabled people, but in those times, disabled people in regular society would get no help or benefits from the government, and they would still be stared at and ostracised in society. Being part of a freak show, (although obviously still stared at) they would have been looked after, and paid a wage far above the average working class citizen. Some stars of the freak shows of the time, lived and retired quite wealthy. It made their life far better than if they didn't join the circus.

[stephenthomas]

We should all be thankful for what we have or don't have in life.

[Club-Nightclub_Music_Remixes]

No matter how different these folks are, they are human-beings just like the rest of us.

[ericanderson]

I really enjoy historical videos with authentic photos and videos. You have good content here, but it was dulled down with the constant underlayment of the doctor/patient snippets.

[jq]

Note back in the day, the terms "moron", "idiot" and "imbecile" were formal medical terms, before they became insults.

[gmaureen]

Years ago I read an article about the so called circus freaks. In the article a number of them were sad about the end of an era that provided them with employment. Thankfully, today, we have more medical options for those afflicted with abnormal conditions. Example: the Siamese Twins were conjoined only by skin...not organs.

[jontalbot]

We still have freak shows although now it’s called reality tv

[jenniferjones]

Some of your photos of Jack Earl are incorrect. Several of those photos were actually Robert Wadlow. The tallest man ever at 8’ 11”.

[theresareynolds]

My grandparents used to take us to carnivals, fairs the circus but we never went into the human exhibition tents, our grandparents said their were people in them that were different and we shouldn’t go in and stare at them, they said the people had feelings just like we did. When I got older I did see the movie Freaks I still have mixed feelings about it, the ending was great though

[silverghostcat]

While most were taken advantage of, a lot of these performers made good money they wouldn't have been able to make otherwise. Also, the people in the "freak" shows were able to have a community of supportive people where they were accepted and appreciated for who they were.

[leeanneasheppard]

They arent freaks, they are human beings with feelings like everyone else

[MarkRobertson-pqrn]

The elephant Man who was Exploited Triumphed with becoming a friend of Queen Victoria 😅

[moms]

My favorite part was where you showed that the thumbnail was clickbait. Didn't even describe the pics right. 🤣🤣