The freak shows were exhibitions of several physical deformities and abnormalities in humans and animals. Also known as “freaks of nature,” they were unusual humans with large or small body parts, tall and long in height, Conjoined twins, and with rare diseases and conditions. Some of them were trained to perform certain acts such as swallowing hot coals, sword-swallowing, and pulling heavyweights. These performers (freaks) had terrible difficult lives, society didn’t consider them normal, and even in some cases, they were brought legally and illegally from different parts of the world. Primitive people were brought to build a human zoo.

In modern times (19th and early 20th century), they were also known as sideshows. They became popular in the mid-16th century in England, and even Queen Victoria was amused. In American P.T. Barnum, founder of Barium and Baily Circus entertained millions of people with these shows. He opened a human curiosity exhibit in 1841 at the American Museum in Manhattan. During the late 19th century and the early 20th-century, freak shows were at their height of popularity.

These shows were also an essential part of the circus. It was common to see most circuses having freak shows, and they were considered a major place for displaying human oddities. Check out, dangerous and creepy circus performers from the past.

In the mid-20th century, these sideshows and freaks shows became a thing of the past. The advancement of medical technology, treatment of several diseases and abnormalities, and the popularity of televisions played an important role in abolishing these cruel acts.

Here below we have compiled a list of the most disturbing, scary and bizarre sideshows and freak shows from the past.