Adele Von Ohl Parker Was A Daredevil Horse Rider That Found Camaraderie In Greater Cleveland
By Nikki Rhoades|Published December 22, 2020
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Nikki Rhoades
Author
Nikki is a lifelong Ohioan with a love for literature. She holds a Bachelor's Degree from the University of Akron and has enjoyed publishing her written work since 2007. She has a love of travel and does so frequently, though she believes that home is where the heart is — she continues to work in and around Cleveland as a digital content specialist to this day, working on everything from commercial scripts and social media posts to grassroots marketing initiatives.
Over the years, a few faces have grown familiar to Clevelanders. In recent history, athletes have reflected the passions and personalities of their communities. Before that, of course, there were a number of iconic Clevelanders that saw their name in lights, as in the case of local elementary school teacher Margaret Hamilton making it big as the Wicked Witch of the West in The Wizard of Oz.
Interestingly, time has also presented cases where “has-beens” have found solace in Cleveland, leaving behind their fame in favor of a quiet life in the Greater Cleveland community. Today we’re going to look at one of the vaudeville era’s most incredible performers, a fierce woman that decided to stay in Cleveland after her local performance was canceled. Adele von Ohl Parker was not a famous person from Cleveland, but she was a Clevelander through and through when she passed away in the community nearly four decades after arriving.
In the 1920s, women finally got the right to vote. However, they remained in traditional "women's roles" when it came to most women's personal lives.
The 1920s were an era of revolution for women, who found themselves disenchanted by the restrictiveness of the corset and of society's expectations. The flapper rose to great fame for her bobbed hair and short skirts, but this was a fashion and social movement mostly embraced by young women. What of the era's more mature female figures?
Not everybody embraced the Jazz Age. Some - like Adele Von Ohl Parker - were a tad bit too old to embrace the scandalous fashions of the era and some were down on their like... Adele was both.
This daring lady lived a thousand lives before 1928. Adele von Ohl Parker was a daredevil performer, specializing in tricks with horses. This New Jersey-born performer was born in 1885, and she'd eventually catch the attention of Buffalo Bill’s troupe (a figure who, believe it or not, had family ties in Cleveland). In 1928, she came to Cleveland to perform when her show was suddenly canceled, leaving Adele essentially stranded in The Land.
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Instead of retiring from the performance world, Adele embraced Cleveland and recognized it as a great Midwestern city with significant potential for equestrians.
According to the legend, she approached the President of the Union Stockyards in Cleveland and requested to perform at the upcoming livestock show. Her request was granted, and her little publicity stunt was able to generate interest in the new local riding school she intended to open.
Now 44 years old, Adele wasn't slowing down one bit. Parker's Ranch, as she'd go on to name the space on the farm, grew to include nearly 70 horses, 34 buildings, and an assortment of farm animals. Joined by her siblings and an ever-growing staff, Adele began to offer classes focused on children, particularly those with special needs. In an article published by Case Western Reserve University, it is estimated that she taught some 10,000 local children... some traveling from as far as southern Medina or Summit counties to train with her!
This equestrian was so much more than meets the eye. She was a painter, a passionate historian, and a friend to many.
Upon arriving in Cleveland, Adele had little more than her reputation. One article suggests her worth was a mere 70 cents and seven horses. However, after making a home here, she found a place in the community. She served as a founding trustee of the Olmsted Historical Society, and she stirred up controversy by babysitting a friend's elephants at her ranch and for single-handedly running a group of Ku Klux Klansmen off of her property. This crazy, classy, all-around inspiring woman continued performing on horseback well into her late 70s.
Ultimately, Adele von Ohl Parker died in 1966. She outlived her siblings and left behind no children, but some 300 local children attended her funeral.
At 80 years old, this lady was not quite ready to slow down. She was purportedly working on her ranch when she passed away, showing dedication to her animals up until the very end. During World War One, she had rallied for an all-women mounted Red Cross. At 19, she'd performed on horseback in New York City. Adele spent two years with Buffalo Bill's troupe. In just 80 years, Adele von Ohl Parker accomplished more than most could dare to dream of.
The Cleveland that Adele von Ohl Parker discovered had nearly a million residents, a brand new skyscraper, and a whole lot of potential. While some saw an industrious city, she saw a pretty place that already felt like home.
Over the years, there have been a number of iconic Clevelanders that have left their mark on our community. Without a doubt, none were as fierce and classy as Adele von Ohl Parker. She wasn’t a flapper and she wasn’t into Hollywood glamour, but she found strength in the Jazz Age and decided to make Greater Cleveland her home. Have you ever heard of this awesome equestrian? Share your thoughts in the comments!
Ladies have long made an impact in Cleveland. In fact, the first woman in history to host the nightly news did so right here in The Land. Like Adele, she was no spring chicken when her debut came, reminding us that we can accomplish incredible things well beyond our youth.
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