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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.

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

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

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

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

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

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