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The Sensational Ortons: Stunning Vintage Photos of a Circus Family from the 1950s

Vern and Dorrie Orton were famous acrobats from Texas. They belonged to Orton’s family circus. They performed in various circuses in the UK and continental Europe. Before they became famous, the Ortons were the Aerial Ortons, a trapeze act that performed routines on 90-foot-high double perches at circuses and shows.

Hiram Orton formed the Orton Circus in 1850. He trained all of his seven children to perform various circus acts. And they trained the same profession to their children for five generations of Orton circus.

These spectacular photos were taken by Vern Orton, a member of The Sensational Ortons, from around 1953-1955.

#5 Christiani Bros. Circus, 1956

Christiani Bros. Circus, 1956

#10 The Bill Lynch Shows, 1956

The Bill Lynch Shows, 1956

#14 Dallas, Texas 1954 – This is how they hauled all the rigging for their Aerial act

#15 Dorrie Orton in the Trailer, Dallas, Texas, 1951

Dorrie Orton in the Trailer, Dallas, Texas, 1951

#17 Professor George Keller, 1954 – The George Keller Animal Show

#20 Sharkey the Seal, and Billy Roe,1954

Sharkey the Seal, and Billy Roe,1954

#21 Dorrie Orton and Billy Roe, 1954

Dorrie Orton and Billy Roe, 1954

#22 Adia, at the Police Circus, Union City, NJ – 1954

#25 Les Hildalys, 1954

Les Hildalys, 1954

#27 The Simru Duo, “Peaches and Simmie”, Endicott, NY 1954

#30 Hollywood Hell Drivers

Hollywood Hell Drivers

#35 The Back Yard, Lamberti and Condors,1954

The Back Yard, Lamberti and Condors,1954

#38 Shirley, Dorrie Orton, and Gracie at the Kelly-Miller Circus, 1954

#40 Dorrie Orton and Ford Orton aboard the Queen Elizabeth, 1955

Dorrie Orton and Ford Orton aboard the Queen Elizabeth, 1955

#45 Loading car at Newcastle to go to Oslo, 1955

Loading car at Newcastle to go to Oslo, 1955

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Written by Aung Budhh

Husband + Father + librarian + Poet + Traveler + Proud Buddhist. I love you with the breath, the smiles and the tears of all my life.

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