Although the first"freak show"at Coney Island opened in 1880 , the gilded age of the Greenwich Village ’s side show began in 1904 when Samuel W. Gumpertz opened Lilliputia , an entire miniature city scale for its dwarf and midget inhabitants . Lilliputia became such a democratic tourist attraction at Dreamland , Gumpertz pass many years afterwards find and promotinghuman oddities . After Dreamland burned in 1911 , he spread out Dreamland Circus Sideshow . Other side shows before long open , include The World Circus Freak Show , The Steeplechase Circus Big Show , Hubert ’s Museum , The Strand Museum , and Wonderland Circus Side Show . Human oddities who worked in circuses and other traveling show enjoyed the relative stability and permanence of Coney Island . Here are a few of the most democratic .
Lionel, the Lion-faced Man
Lionel , the Lion - faced Man was bornStephan Bibrowskiin Poland in 1891 . He had long and thick hair all over due to hypertrichosis , a genetic mutant once know as " werewolf disease". Bibrowski was a very levelheaded man who speak five languages and once aspired to become adentist . His side show act admit gymnastic prank . He appeared at Dreamland Circus in Coney Island in the 1920s .
Violetta, the Limbless Woman
Aloisia Wagnerwas behave in Bremen - Hemelingen , Germany in 1906 . She was healthy , but had neither arms nor leg . Her parents produce her to be as self - sufficient as potential . Aloisia entered show business at age 15 , took the stagecoach name Violetta , and emigrate to the United States a twosome of old age later in 1924 . Port authorisation atEllis Islandalmost rejected her as a potential welfare causa until they ascertained that she had employment with the Ringling Brothers Barnum and Bailey Circus . Violetta could move around by hop . Her performance was center on around her vocalizing , but she also demonstrated her power , such as sewing or light a cigarette using only her oral fissure . Violetta performed at Dreamland Circus Side Show in Coney Island as well as touring circuses . See more picture of Violettahere .
We ’re just getting start . Keep reading for more of the Coney Island sideshow attractions .
Jean Carroll, the Tattooed Lady
Jean Carrollstarted her side show life history as a whiskered ma’am , and end it as a tattooed dame ! She fell in love with contortionist John Carson , who palpate a common attraction but could n’t make for himself to tie a adult female with a face fungus . Jean did n’t want to give up her side show vocation . After a fifteen - year friendly relationship , Carroll use up the plunge and dispatch her lucrative beard by electrolysis . She then undergo painful all - over tattooing to continue her side show career . The two splice and remained womb-to-tomb better half .
Zip, the Pinhead
William Henry Johnsonwas born in New Jersey in 1842 . He was thought to be microcephalic , as he had an strangely tapered brain with a normal size face . However , he had the intelligence to perform for over 60 twelvemonth as unlike personas with the Ringling Brothers and at Coney Island . In his former career , he was billed as a " unwarranted man" , a wanting link from Africa . Later on , he became a comedic performer , and even play the fiddle so badly that people pay him to stop . He died awealthy and popularman at age 84 .
The Four-legged Woman
Josephene Myrtle Corbinwas support in either Texas or Tennessee in 1868 . She had the lower branch of a dipygus twin growing from her pelvis . She was billed as The Four - legged char , but her twin ’s branch were too weak to stand on ( although she could move them ) , and her right branch had a clubbed foot . In effect , the four - legged charwoman really had only one good peg . She wed Dr. Clinton Bicknell when she was 19 and eventually hadfive child . Since her twin had reproductive organs , it was rumored that three shaver were bear from one set of organ and two from the other .
In the mid-20th C , the popularity of side display declined to the breaker point that most went out of business . Part of the cause was competition from tv , but it was also a change in the public ’s sensing of the nut shows . Modern sensitiveness decreed it was wrong to stare at people because of an fortuity of birth . There was also suspicion that those on exhibit may have been tap . Some were , but the new mental attitude wasa kick in the teethto human curiosity who were gallant to be known as freaks . Side show allow them to support themselves financially , and some had become quite wealthy . Coney Island was a community where side show oddness could be accepted by their peers , and where life was easier than invariant travel with circus .
The side show never really died out . alternatively , the focus turn from human exhibit to performers . Although we are unwilling to stare and express joy at people for who theyare , it ’s OK to be entertained by what peopledo . The new freak show employ people who have worked firmly to become freaks . Sideshows by the Seashoreemploys several . establish in 1986 , the locale is the inspiration of Dick Zigun who is for the most part responsible for Coney Island ’s late renaissance .
Insectivora
Insectivora , also known as Angelica , is billed as " The World ’s Most part Illustrated Woman " . However , her tattoos are just a background for her act . order Insectivora breathes flaming , eats flame , walks on a ladder of swords as well as on broken glass , swallow razor , and she babble out , too ! Insectivora has perform at Side Shows by the Seashore for six years . jaw herMySpace pageboy .
The Twisted Shockmeister
Scott Baker , the Twisted Shockmeister is probably the first person you ’ll see at Side Shows by the Seashore . He ’s the extraneous talker , or the guy at the door who tempt you to come in and pass your money . But he ’s also a performer . Scott is a necromancer and ventriloquist , just for starters . He also push nails through his head , eats fire , glass , insects , and razor blade , levitates , and gives lectures . At the end of his list of talents , Baker call himself a " Mental Flosser". You ca n’t puzzle that for talent ! Visit hisMySpace page .
Serpentina
Serpentina , or Stephanie Torres is a snake in the grass charmer and contortionist with Side Shows by the Seashore . Serpentina is the reigning Miss Coney Island . you may see a portion of her act atYouTube .
Donny Vomit
Diamond Donny V , Donald Thomas , or Donny Vomit is the Master of Ceremonies for the Side Show by the Seashore . He also has a full repertoire of freak skills . His act involves some gruelling hardware , including animal traps , chainsaws , a straightjacket , an electric chair , a bed of nails , and of row , " Mental Floss . “ main magazine has aninterviewwith Donny V. Visit hisMySpace page .
Heather Holliday
Heather Hollidayis a sword swallower at Side appearance by the Seashore . She is also a fire eater and a human blockhead . confabulate herMySpace Sir Frederick Handley Page .
you could keep up with tidings from the Coney Island amusement diligence at the Coney Island FreaksLivejournal residential district . Side appearance by the Seashore also runs aschoolfor those who would like to become freaks .
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