Ashton's Circus

Ashton's Circus, also known as Circus Joseph Ashton after 2000, is one of the Ashton's Circus family companies. Ashton's Circus was the longest-surviving circus in Australia, pre-dating most others in the English-speaking world. It was founded in Hobart, Tasmania, in 1847^[1] by Thomas Mollor, and acquired in February 1850 by James Henry Ashton, a former convict who was sent to Van Diemen's Land (Tasmania) under his real name of Golden Ashton. The circus operated as the Royal Amphitheatre or Royal Circus.^[2][3]

Ashton's Circus transporting three elephants on the Brisbane-Ipswich Road, 1975

Ashton's Circus
Founder of Ashton's Circus, James Henry Ashton, in 1864.
Origin
Founder(s)	James Henry Ashton (as Ashton's Circus)
Year founded	1847[1] (as Ashton's Circus)
Information
Operator(s)	Joseph and Michelle Ashton and family
Traveling show?	Closed in 2017

Ashton's Circus, at its height, had more than 180 personnel and 80 animals and thousands of dollars' worth of equipment, and toured internationally in New Zealand and Papua New Guinea.^[1]

When James Henry Ashton died in 1889, his son Fred, then aged 22, inherited the circus. The circus continued to be handed down throughout the family, but closed in 2000.

Circus Joseph Ashton then came into production, and was run by the 6th generation of Ashtons, Michelle and Joseph and their sons, Jordan and Merrik. As Joseph had founded 'Circus Joseph Ashton' in 1998 prior to his grandfather's retirement in 2000, it was decided to keep this name to reflect his family's ownership and operations.

Circus Joseph Ashton closed in 2017 and they now operate under a different name and now longer do family shows.

The company employed Tommy Hanlon Jr., after his career in television.^[1]

Other circuses and entertainment businesses run by other members of the Ashton family include Ashton Entertainment, Infamous the Show, Lorraine Ashton's Classic Circus,^[4] and Circus Xsavia.

See also

• List of circuses and circus owners