Tillie (elephant) facts for kids
| Sex | Female |
|---|---|
| Died | 1932 (age 65) Terrace Park, Ohio |
| Occupation | Circus performer |
| Employer | John Robinson Circus |
Tillie (around 1870 – 1932) was a famous female Asian elephant. She was the beloved mascot of the John Robinson Circus. John Robinson, who owned the circus, brought Tillie into his care in 1872. She quickly became the leader of all the elephants in the circus. Even when the Robinson Circus was sold in 1912, Tillie was one of only four elephants that the Robinson family kept.
A Star of the Circus
Tillie was quite well-known! Her picture even appeared on the cover of a book called Stories from the Grove by Phillip J. Nuxhall. You can also spot her in a poster shown on page 76 of Dann Woellert's book, Cincinnati's Northside Neighborhood.
When the circus came to the Northside, Cincinnati area (which used to be called Cumminsville, Ohio), Tillie was always at the front. She proudly led the big circus parade through the streets. There's even a special T-shaped window on the old Robinson family property in Terrace Park that was made just for Tillie!
Tillie's Farewell
Tillie passed away in 1932 when she was about 65 years old. Her death was a big event, and a full page obituary was published in The Cincinnati Enquirer newspaper.
About two thousand people gathered in Terrace Park to say goodbye to Tillie at her home on Elm Avenue. It was a very special ceremony. Airplanes flew overhead, dropping beautiful carnation flowers. The three other elephants that had lived with Tillie stood nearby, and a cannon was fired to honor her.
It's not completely clear where Tillie was buried. Some people thought she might be buried in Spring Grove Cemetery, but this has never been proven. There is a tombstone for Tillie on the old Robinson property in Terrace Park. However, a long-time resident of Terrace Park, Lynn Nelson, believes Tillie is not under the tombstone. Instead, she thinks Tillie was buried in a dry well on the same property.
