Frankly, circus shows aren’t really cherished and praised in the way they once were. We all have seen their little tricks so they hardly stand a chance against our sharp insight and ingenuity. Put in a nutshell, we’re barely impressed at all. But hey, our ancestors must have felt otherwise. Today’s modern circus shows aren’t as exceptional as they used to be. What’s even more, it’s like they have lost an inch of their natural uniqueness. Gladly, the past has another truth to tell.

Indeed, circus freak shows were more popular a few decades back than they are today. Besides, their most eccentric circus performers were actually people with physical disorders. Therefore, it’d be safe to say that these individuals didn’t have much to offer except their inborn peculiarity. This easily explains why circus freaks shows were so mind-blowing back in the day. Rare performers with physical disorders used to make ends meet by accentuating their oddity both physically and mentally. Undoubtedly, some of these circus freaks didn’t need much time to become recognized as “The Elephant Man” or “The Human Owl”. Without revealing way too much, let’s see what else we’ve got on our odd list today, shall we?

15. The Fiji Mermaid

The Fiji Mermaid was a very popular circus freak attraction back in the 18th century. However, the Fiji Mermaid was nothing but a creepy trick. Two young entrepreneurs, named Barnum and Bailey Circus, came up with the bizarre idea of the infamous Fiji Mermaid. Of course, business is …just business. And so, money had to rain without hitting a pause. Now it’s quite obvious to see why creepy sideshow alternatives were relied upon. No matter how eerie and downright nasty that was, The Fiji Mermaid soon became a fact. To put it shortly, The Fiji Mermaid was created out of nothing: a fish skeleton attached to a monkey skeleton. Seriously, what the heck?!

14. The Siamese Twins

What’s so special about these Siamese Twins anyway? Frankly, you’ve got no idea how special they are…or used to be. Widely known as “The Peculiar Twins”, the recognized sideshow phenomenon toured the country around the late 1800s. Indeed, they might have been quite an attraction, however, their epilog is hardly a cheerful one. Honestly, the personal story of The Bizarre Twins lacks any bit of pleasantness. Actually, it unmasks the ugly truth of the genuinely overlooked human element in such abnormal show acts. The famous twins made a living as sideshow freaks who were nothing but subjects of mockery.

13. Mr. Frank Lentini had Three Legs

Meet the celebrated Italian-American showman whose rare condition called Polymelia was the major reason behind his fame. Mr. Frank Lentini suffered from an innate condition called the hydra syndrome affecting the limbs. Extra small legs or an unnatural presence of a third leg explained the scary birth defect almost to perfection. Nevertheless, Mr. Frank Lentini was actually one of the most renowned circus freaks from the past. His shows were one-of-a-kind making him quite a legend. Also, the rumoured man named Mr. Frank was also “famous” for his 2 sets of completely functioning genitals.

12. General Tom Thumb

Who? General Tom Thumb? Who was he?! Well, don’t freak out when you dig out the truth. Actually, the title was neither real nor functional. What’s more, General Tom Thumb was actually the stage name of a little kid named Charles Stratton. And as if this is not enough, young Charles performed under the stage name as he wowed the audience with his hilarious pranks and curious routines. Note that the fake “General” was actually a 5- year-old boy at the time of his show programs. But regardless of his young age, Charles regularly shocked his audience with his shrewdness and debilitating condition.

11. Lazarus Colloredo and Joannes Baptista Colloredo

Here we are with another curious case that used to wow the audience back in the day. Meet the conjoined twins named Lazarus Colloredo and Joannes Baptista Colloredo. Much like our previous twins, Lazarus and James made a living just by walking up on stage. Surely, their genetic condition contributed to their phenomenal fame later on. Of course, it’s hardly a pleasant one at all, however, they had to make ends meet somehow. Eventually, Lazarus and Joannes became quite a sensation attracting hundreds of visitors and circus lovers on a regular basis. Actually, our previous twins are basically nothing in comparison with the Colloredo twins. Due to genetic abnormalities, Joannes was actually a mere protuberance in his brother’s chest.

10. Mademoiselle Gabrielle aka “The Living Half-Woman”

Have you heard of the Half Lady? Yes, Mademoiselle Gabrielle was just another peculiar sideshow freak who used to draw attention with her unfortunate inborn defects. Sadly, Mademoiselle Gabrielle had an innate physical disorder which caused the lack of her limbs. Due to her frightening condition, Mademoiselle Gabrielle could only see one resolution ahead of her: the circus. Surely, she didn’t serve as a main circus performer, but as a sideshow attraction which aimed to impress the audience. Usually, Mademoiselle Gabrielle’s rare condition had them all hooked almost immediately. Besides, all of it gave her the chance to tour the country and provide for herself as much as possible.

9. Ella Harper aka the Camelgirl

Ella: The Camelgirl?! What is that supposed to mean?! Yes, we know, it’s hard to believe such nonsense! But in truth, Ella Harper was an extremely famous and pretty successful circus sideshow attraction in the old days. And just in case you wonder about her skills, she was actually best known for her flexibility. Ella Harper could turn her knees backward as easy as 123 degrees, and yet, this wasn’t her best show trick. The famous Camelgirl could walk on her hands and make it look like it was no big deal at all. Her pitch cards were also pretty successful too as she used them to reach much wider audiences. Well, it seems like she made it somehow, didn’t she?!

8. Saartjie ‘Sarah’ Baartman

Easily identified as Hottentot Venus, our queer female artist used to draw attention with her pretty eccentric looks and shape. Saartjie ‘Sarah’ Baartman’s performance didn’t need much advertising back in the day. Rather, people came to witness her odd personality while enjoying the show. What’s really curious about Sarah’ Baartman is that she became quite a sensation during the 18th century. At the time people were pretty easy to impress with bootylicious curves. Apparently, Saartjie ‘Sarah’ Baartman wasn’t a stranger to the typical African female features. As a result, people were often there to witness and confirm her uncommon looks.

7. Mary Ann Bevan aka The Ugliest Woman

Indeed, we tend to believe that circus freaks are specially selected showmen with talents. Unfortunately, the truth is much more morbid than that. These people are neither selected nor that much brilliant. Most of them were born with innate defects and circus shows simply took advantage of it. The story of Mary Ann Bevan is indeed a fine example of that. She was a normal woman, however, she lacked something crucial in the superficial world she lived in: her beauty was hardly there. One day she started experiencing symptoms of acromegaly which took a toll on her feminine features. Eventually, it caused an abnormal growth and facial distortion. Her sad story and creepy looks made her the ugliest living woman and a circus freak.

6. The Elephant Man

Widely known as the Elephant Man, Joseph Merrick falls amidst the most exceptional circus freaks who once joined the shiny stage. Actually, Mr. Joseph was a pretty ordinary little boy. One day, however, he was diagnosed with the dreadful symptoms of an extremely rare and specific physical disorder. It caused his limbs to grow extremely large and he was only 5 years old at that time! In 1886 Joseph showed up at a circus attraction which was going on in his city. Later on, Joseph’s stage name was “The Elephant Man”. In truth, his title brought him major success and lots of cash.

5. The Black Scorpion

Considered a pretty disgusting attraction, The Black Scorpion act was definitely one of the major turnoffs on stage. Actually, it was more eerie than outstanding. The man who performed the “Black Scorpion” sideshow trick was the mysterious “Lobster Boy” as this was his stage name back in the day. The craziest part about him was that the man had hands like claws. Thanks to this, he helped this creepy business flourish more and more. It’s certain that the peculiar entertainment worked really well for both parties. Besides, his title as a circus freak brought him a reputation and lots of money as well.

4. Martin Laurello the Human Owl

Have you heard of a man called The Human Owl? Indeed, there was such a guy who wowed the audience with his physical deficiency. It may not be the best way to keep the wolf from the door for sure. But anyway, people with physical disorders aren’t really offered many options. Martin Laurello lacked his upper limbs as he started performing his acts in his early 20s. In fact, Martin worked for Ringling Bros. Barnum & Bailey’s Show as one of the best circus performers there. Besides, the Human Owl once performed shoulder to shoulder with the famous 7-year old Lobster Boy as well. How curious!?

3. Mme. Clofullia the bearded Lady

Meet another phenomenal circus freak whose performance used to put some crazy vibes into the air. Mme. Clofullia was actually known as The Bearded Lady of Geneva due to her excessive facial hairs. Yes, you didn’t misread it. The Bearded Lady of Geneva was a bizarre child who had a 2-inch beard at the young age of eight. It’s hardly a typical look for an 8-year-old kid, right? Later on, Mm. Clofullia married the famous painter Fortune Clofullia. Apparently, the bearded lady wasn’t really bothered by her rare masculine looks. Instead, she fashioned her weird beard in the style of Napoleon III. Well, at least, she found a use for it at the circus…

2. The Anonymous Mr. Wang

Mr. Wang was a mysterious man whose peculiar condition made him the famous person he was back in the day. According to rumors, Mr.Wang’s odd personality was hardly the only strange feature about him. He was known as the Chinese farmer who had something very unique and special to offer the world …and the circus industry. He may look pretty normal in his photos, however, Mr.Wang had a fourteen-inch spire-like horn growing from the back of his head. Well, if that’s not bizarre, we can hardly think of anything else THAT IS! How odd! Honestly, Mr. Wang must have been a major sensation in his days!

1. Lionel aka The Lion Faced Man

A man with a head of a…lion? Seriously?! Yes, totally. Mr. Lionel, who was often considered The Lion-Faced Man, was actually born to normal parents in a pretty typical environment. In truth, Stephan Bibrowsky was his real name and Lionel was only his stage name. In his youth, he suffered from a considerably rare condition known as hypertrichosis. As a rare form of a genetic disease, the boy’s skin and entire body were covered in thick layers of fur. Later on, he was discovered by a German man who actually helped him become a rare sensation. Although he had coats of fur covering his skin, Stephan wasn’t treated as a beast or an animal. Rather, the Lion-Faced Man often showed up on stage dressed to the hill while displaying his cultural literacy and shrewdness. How amazing?!

Source: listverse.com