History of the Tiger Bands


Band organized in 1834

Original Band Members: Henry W. Bill (leader), Elisha N. Sill, Charles W. Wetmore, Theodore R. Butler, Charles Bronson, Cyrus Wilcox, Livey Wilcox, John H. Brainard, Lyman Sperry, Rueben Upson, Horace Y. Beebe, Charles Thornburg, Israel James

The band played at the opening of the Ohio & Erie Canal, 4th of July in Cleveland and concerts in Massillon. In traveling they mostly took packet boats on the canal. As a member of the band no member was allowed to partake in intoxicating liquors.  

Photo Courtesy of Mr. Jenkins

The original Cuyahoga Falls Band, organized in 1834, was one of the best of its class in Northern Ohio. This band had more than the local repute, being called to Cleveland to aid in celebrating the 4th of July, in 1835, going from and returning to Old Portage by packet boat on the Ohio Canal. The band also participated in the celebration of the opening of the Pennsylvania and Ohio Canal, in 1840, and about that time made an excursion to Massillon, where they gave a concert which was largely attended and highly appreciated by the music loving citizens of that lovely town. Mr. Bill and Mr. Bronson retained their musical skill and ardor to the end of their long lives as attendants upon the annual meetings of the Portage-Summit Pioneer Association, at Kens, who have listened so delightedly to the old-time music of the pioneer band.

In 1858, a most excellent band organization was effected, under the leadership of Mr. Ethelbert Sill, and was for many years known as "Sill's Band." The band, which had continuous existence under different leaders for nearly thirty years was reorganized in 1885, under the name of Cuyahoga Falls Brass Band, with Mr. James Brown as the leader.