16 Early Photos of the Ringling Bros and Their Crazy Circus

Daniel Bonfiglio Published 02/17/2025 in wow

In 1919, Alfred, Charles, John, Al and Otto Ringling decided to merge their up and coming circus with the Barnum and Bailey troupe. The rest is history, and with each group already on the up and up, the powerhouse merger shot Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey to the top of the circus game, (despite their lengthy name).

Today, a Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey show is an insane viewing experience, but back before safety and ethics were a thing, they were even wilder! Here are 20 early photos of the Ringling Bros and their crazy circus.

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1. "Circus of Freaks"
Ringling Brothers and Barnun & Bailey, 1924.
2. Clyde Beatty
Training lions, 1932.
3. Brooklyn
Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus, 1931
4. Clowns Behind Madison Square Garden
Ringling Brothers and Barnum & Bailey 1925.
5. Animal Wagon
Allentown PA, 1939.
6. Targa the Elephant Disembarks
The Bronx, 1963.
7. Concert Band, Bandmaster Merle Evans
Ringling Brothers and Barnum & Bailey 1927.
8. Elephants in a Three-Ring Performance
The Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus, 1970.
9. Ringling Brothers Trains
Packing up in 1907.
10. Ringling Brothers and Barnum & Bailey Combined Circus
Jersey City, 1929.
11. celebrating the Ringling Bros Golden Jubilee at Madison Square Garden
The combined circus in 1933.
12. George Denman and His Staff
Irvington, N.J., 1931.
13. Claire Levine
Practicing her Ringling Bros. routine in 1956 before a new season.
14. "Greatest Show on Earth"
Photo in 1931.
15. A 16-Camel Team
In a Ringling Brothers circus parade, 1911.
16. "Congress of Freaks"
With Ringling Brothers and Barnum & Bailey Combined Circus 1931.

1. "Circus of Freaks"
Ringling Brothers and Barnun & Bailey, 1924.
2. Clyde Beatty
Training lions, 1932.
3. Brooklyn
Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus, 1931
4. Clowns Behind Madison Square Garden
Ringling Brothers and Barnum & Bailey 1925.
5. Animal Wagon
Allentown PA, 1939.
6. Targa the Elephant Disembarks
The Bronx, 1963.
7. Concert Band, Bandmaster Merle Evans
Ringling Brothers and Barnum & Bailey 1927.
8. Elephants in a Three-Ring Performance
The Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus, 1970.
9. Ringling Brothers Trains
Packing up in 1907.
10. Ringling Brothers and Barnum & Bailey Combined Circus
Jersey City, 1929.
11. celebrating the Ringling Bros Golden Jubilee at Madison Square Garden
The combined circus in 1933.
12. George Denman and His Staff
Irvington, N.J., 1931.
13. Claire Levine
Practicing her Ringling Bros. routine in 1956 before a new season.
14. "Greatest Show on Earth"
Photo in 1931.
15. A 16-Camel Team
In a Ringling Brothers circus parade, 1911.
16. "Congress of Freaks"
With Ringling Brothers and Barnum & Bailey Combined Circus 1931.