Traveling circus

Beasts, tumblers and, of course, scary clowns

Alex Q. Arbuckle

c. 1910-1911

Original image has been replaced. Credit: Mashable

In the early decades of the 20th century, traveling circuses were a thrilling and welcome sight in the small town of Strabane, Northern Ireland.Four circuses in particular visited from 1910 to 1911: Scott's Circus, Hanneford's Canadian Circus, Duffy's Circus and Buff Bill's American Circus. Though the dim lighting inside the big top tent prevented images from being made of the acts in progress, local photographer H.F. Cooper was able to take pictures of the clowns, acrobats and animals outdoors, as they rehearsed their acts and mingled with the excited townsfolk. 

Original image has been replaced. Credit: Mashable

Original image has been replaced. Credit: Mashable

Original image has been replaced. Credit: Mashable

Original image has been replaced. Credit: Mashable

Original image has been replaced. Credit: Mashable

Original image has been replaced. Credit: Mashable

Original image has been replaced. Credit: Mashable

Original image has been replaced. Credit: Mashable

Original image has been replaced. Credit: Mashable

Original image has been replaced. Credit: Mashable

Original image has been replaced. Credit: Mashable

Original image has been replaced. Credit: Mashable

Original image has been replaced. Credit: Mashable

Original image has been replaced. Credit: Mashable

Original image has been replaced. Credit: Mashable

Original image has been replaced. Credit: Mashable

Original image has been replaced. Credit: Mashable

Original image has been replaced. Credit: Mashable

c. 1910

Original image has been replaced. Credit: Mashable

c. 1910

Original image has been replaced. Credit: Mashable

Original image has been replaced. Credit: Mashable

Original image has been replaced. Credit: Mashable