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Tent 89 - Orrin B. Davenport-Jake Mills 

Submitted by Ed Limbach on   4/16/2004
Last Modified

FORTY SIX YEARS OF THE ORRIN B. DAVENPORT-JAKE MILLS TENT NO. 89, CLEVELAND, OHIO

May 1, 2004

Tent No. 89 was formed on April 25, 1958 at Cleveland, Ohio. The Tent was named for Orrin B. Davenport and Jake Mills. Davenport an outstanding bareback rider who first performed with the MacDonald Wagon Show in 1900 and went on to become a pioneer in the production of the indoor circus. He was elected to the Circus Hall of Fame in 1966. Jake Mills was one of three brothers operating the Mills Bros. 3 Ring Circus, which was based in Ohio. On the show Jake helped put the performance together, played in the band, acted as purchasing agent for the show, managed the backend, supervised vehicle maintenance and movement of the show each day. The Mills Bros. Circus ended it run in 1966 when Jake went to Russia on a cultural exchange. Jake was elected to the Circus Hall of Fame in the early 70's.

At Cleveland on February 21, 1959 the Tent held its Tent Raising Banquet. This well attended affair included special guests Jake, Jack and Harry Mills, Mrs. Orrin B. Davenport representing her husband who was ill and could not attend. George Keller and Merle Evans. Following the banquet Tent members attended the Orrin B. Davenport Shrine Circus at Cleveland Public Auditorium.

John Boyle was elected the first President of the Tent.

During the 1960's the Tent was very active with many Tent gatherings in connection with the Al Sirat Grotto Circus at Cleveland. The Tent was also present for the Mills Bros. Circus opening performance and banquet at Jefferson, Ohio.

The decade of the 60's the Tent Presidents were Ray Ranta, Cliff Glotzbach and Richard Deptula.

Since the late 1960's the Tent held an annual circus weekend in connection with the Circus Aut Mori at Boardman, Ohio.. This tradition continued annually with the last outing held in 2001.

From 1969 to 1999 Richard and Cheryl Deptula alternated as President and Secretary-Treasurer of the Tent. In 1999 Ed Limbach was elected President and Don West was elected Secretary/Treasurer.

The Tent has had two Presidents of the Circus Fans Association of America-Mary Len Runser 1993-1994 and Richard Deptula 1997-1998.

In 1998 Tent 89 hosted the CFA National Convention in Strongsville, Ohio. This convention is recognized as one of the outstanding gatherings in CFA history.

In 2000, Tent members elected Buzz Robson President and Dan Weaver was elected Secretary and Treasurer and Steven Shultz was appointed newsletter editor of the Ohio Sells Top. Lynn Limbach is Tent historian. Ed Limbach was named Chair of the CFA Public Relations Committee.

In 2003 the Tent elected John Mauer President of Tent and his wife Suszanne Secretary-Treasurer.

Each October the Tent has an outing with Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus at the Gund Arena at Cleveland.

Over the years the Tent has been active on circus lots providing refreshments to circus personnel.

Tent 89 has a proud history and a solid foundation to continue its traditions into the 21st Century.


Contact to Join
Suszanne Mauer, Secretary/Treasurer
Orrin B. Davenport/Jake Mills Tent #89
145 Elmridge Drive
Mansfield, Ohio 44907
Phone-419-756-9155
no email address
 
$5.00 per year
 
Benefits:  Occassional newsletter, several Tent and Top outings per year.


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