Description: Night meeting of the Ohio State Konklave, Knights of the Ku Klux Klan at Buckeye Lake on July 12, 1923. The Ku Klux Klan (KKK) was originally founded in 1866, but was disbanded in the years after the Civil War. The Klan arose again in 1915 by the efforts of William Joseph Simmons. This new Klan not only targeted blacks, but Catholics, Jews, and foreigners. During the 1920s, Klan membership increased dramatically. In Ohio, membership is estimated to have reached 300,000. Rallies like this one occurring at Buckeye Lake were some of the biggest in the country during this time. At this time, Licking County had a strong Klan presence, one reason why this site was chosen for the statewide konklave (meeting). The all-day event included speeches by notable Klan members, an initiation ceremony, a cross set afire, and fireworks. It is estimated that the rally drew 75,000 attendees. Text at bottom of image reads "OHIO STATE KLONKLAVE KNIGHTS OF THE-KU-KLUX-KLAN BUCKEYE LAKE JULY 12 - 1923." View on Ohio Memory.
Image ID: AL02931
Subjects: Ku Klux Klan (1915- )--Ohio--History--20th century; Racism--United States--History--20th century; Buckeye Lake (Ohio)--History
Places: Buckeye Lake (Ohio); Licking County (Ohio)
 

Description: Members of the Ku Klux Klan parading at night in Springfield, Ohio, on September 8, 1923. The Ku Klux Klan (KKK) was originally founded in 1866, but was disbanded in the years after the Civil War. The Klan arose again in 1915 by the efforts of William Joseph Simmons. This new Klan not only targeted blacks, but Catholics, Jews, and foreigners. During the 1920s, Klan membership increased dramatically. In Ohio, membership is estimated to have reached 300,000. Text at top reads "KU-KLUX-KLAN ON PARADE SPRINGFIELD OHIO SEPTEMBER 8-1923." The Ku Klux Klan was especially strong in Ohio during the 1910s and 1920s. In Summit County, the Klan claimed to have fifty thousand members, making it the largest local chapter in the United States. Many of the county's officials were members, including the sheriff, the Akron mayor, several judges and county commissioners, and most members of Akron's school board. The Klan was also very popular in Licking County, where the group held its state konklave (convention) in 1923 and 1925. More than 70,000 people attended each event. The konklaves were held at Buckeye Lake, a popular tourist attraction in the early twentieth century. By the mid 1920s, the Ku Klux Klan began to decline in popularity, but saw a revival once again during the Civil Rights Movement of the 1950s and 1960s. The Ku Klux Klan continues to exist in the twenty-first century. It is, however, at present quite small in both numbers and influence. View on Ohio Memory.
Image ID: AL02955
Subjects: Ku Klux Klan (1915- )--Ohio--History--20th century; Racism--United States--History--20th century
Places: Springfield (Ohio); Clark County (Ohio)
 

Description: Night konklave (meeting) of the Knights of the Ku Klux Klan in Dayton, Ohio, on September 21, 1923. The Ku Klux Klan (KKK) was originally founded in 1866, but was disbanded in the years after the Civil War. The Klan arose again in 1915 by the efforts of William Joseph Simmons. This new Klan not only targeted blacks, but Catholics, Jews, and foreigners. During the 1920s, Klan membership increased dramatically. In Ohio, membership is estimated to have reached 300,000. Text at top reads " DEMONSTRATION - KLONCLAVE - DAYTON KLAN KNIGHTS OF THE KU - KLUX - KLAN DAYTON - O SEPT. 21 - 1923 CLASS OF 7000." The Ku Klux Klan was especially strong in Ohio during the 1910s and 1920s. In Summit County the Klan claimed to have fifty thousand members, making it the largest local chapter in the United States. Many of the county's officials were members, including the sheriff, the Akron mayor, several judges and county commissioners, and most members of Akron's school board. The Klan was also very popular in Licking County, where the group held its state konklave (convention) in 1923 and 1925. More than 70,000 people attended each event. The konklaves were held at Buckeye Lake, a popular tourist attraction in the early twentieth century. By the mid 1920s, the Ku Klux Klan began to decline in popularity, but saw a revival once again during the Civil Rights Movement of the 1950s and 1960s. The Ku Klux Klan continues to exist in the twenty-first century. It is, however, at present quite small in both numbers and influence. View on Ohio Memory.
Image ID: AL02956
Subjects: Ku Klux Klan (1915- )--Ohio--History--20th century; Racism--United States--History--20th century
Places: Dayton (Ohio); Montgomery County (Ohio)
 

Description: Night meeting of the Knights of the Ku Klux Klan in Dayton, Ohio on September 21, 1923. The Ku Klux Klan (KKK) was originally founded in 1866, but was disbanded in the years after the Civil War. The Klan arose again in 1915 by the efforts of William Joseph Simmons. This new Klan not only targeted blacks, but Catholics, Jews, and foreigners. During the 1920s, Klan membership increased dramatically. In Ohio, membership is estimated to have reached 300,000. Text at top reads "Knights of the Ku-Klux-Klan --Dayton-O. Sept 21-1923." After a period of decline during the Jim Crow years, the Ku Klux Klan (KKK) emerged again during the 1910s. This reversal was partly due to the Great Migration, when hundreds of thousands of African Americans moved from the South to the North, seeking jobs in the North's industrialized cities, including many cities in Ohio. In addition, many people in the U.S. became involved in reform movements during the first decades of the twentieth century. Some of these movements supported middle-class, Protestant values and believed that non-whites and foreigners were a danger to these beliefs. Because of these fears and concerns, the Ku Klux Klan was able to find new supporters. The Ku Klux Klan was especially strong in Ohio during the 1910s and 1920s. In Summit County the Klan claimed to have fifty thousand members, making it the largest local chapter in the United States. Many of the county's officials were members, including the sheriff, the Akron mayor, several judges and county commissioners, and most members of Akron's school board. The Klan was also very popular in Licking County, where the group held its state konklave (convention) in 1923 and 1925. More than 70,000 people attended each event. The konklaves were held at Buckeye Lake, a popular tourist attraction in the early twentieth century. By the mid 1920s, the Ku Klux Klan began to decline in popularity, but saw a revival once again during the Civil Rights Movement of the 1950s and 1960s. The Ku Klux Klan continues to exist in the twenty-first century. It is, however, at present quite small in both numbers and influence. View on Ohio Memory.
Image ID: AL02957
Subjects: Ku Klux Klan (1915- )--Ohio--History--20th century; Racism--United States--History--20th century
Places: Dayton (Ohio); Montgomery County (Ohio)
 

Description: Photograph of a night-time meeting of the Marion County Ku Klux Klan on the farm of O.C. Walter in Meeker, Ohio, ca. 1922. After a period of decline during the Jim Crow years, the Ku Klux Klan (KKK) emerged again during the 1910s. This reversal was partly due to the Great Migration, when hundreds of thousands of African Americans moved from the South to the North, seeking jobs in the North's industrialized cities, including many cities in Ohio. In addition, many people in the U.S. became involved in reform movements during the first decades of the twentieth century. Some of these movements supported middle-class, Protestant values and believed that non-whites and foreigners were a danger to these beliefs. Because of these fears and concerns, the Ku Klux Klan was able to find new supporters. The Ku Klux Klan was especially strong in Ohio during the 1910s and 1920s. In Summit County the Klan claimed to have fifty thousand members, making it the largest local chapter in the United States. Many of the county's officials were members, including the sheriff, the Akron mayor, several judges and county commissioners, and most members of Akron's school board. The Klan was also very popular in Licking County, where the group held its state konklave (convention) in 1923 and 1925. More than 70,000 people attended each event. The konklaves were held at Buckeye Lake, a popular tourist attraction in the early twentieth century. By the mid 1920s, the Ku Klux Klan began to decline in popularity, but saw a revival once again during the Civil Rights Movement of the 1950s and 1960s. The Ku Klux Klan continues to exist in the twenty-first century. It is, however, at present quite small in both numbers and influence. View on Ohio Memory.
Image ID: AL02996
Subjects: Ku Klux Klan (1915-). Realm of Ohio; Racism--United States--History--20th century
Places: Marion County (Ohio)
 

Description: Photograph of a public demonstration of the Knights of the Ku Klux Klan held in Lima, Ohio, on August 4, 1923. A class of 3,000 men were initiated. After a period of decline during the Jim Crow years, the Ku Klux Klan (KKK) emerged again during the 1910s. This reversal was partly due to the Great Migration, when hundreds of thousands of African Americans moved from the South to the North, seeking jobs in the North's industrialized cities, including many cities in Ohio. In addition, many people in the U.S. became involved in reform movements during the first decades of the twentieth century. Some of these movements supported middle-class, Protestant values and believed that non-whites and foreigners were a danger to these beliefs. Because of these fears and concerns, the Ku Klux Klan was able to find new supporters. The Ku Klux Klan was especially strong in Ohio during the 1910s and 1920s. In Summit County the Klan claimed to have fifty thousand members, making it the largest local chapter in the United States. Many of the county's officials were members, including the sheriff, the Akron mayor, several judges and county commissioners, and most members of Akron's school board. The Klan was also very popular in Licking County, where the group held its state konklave (convention) in 1923 and 1925. More than 70,000 people attended each event. The konklaves were held at Buckeye Lake, a popular tourist attraction in the early twentieth century. By the mid 1920s, the Ku Klux Klan began to decline in popularity, but saw a revival once again during the Civil Rights Movement of the 1950s and 1960s. The Ku Klux Klan continues to exist in the twenty-first century. It is, however, at present quite small in both numbers and influence. View on Ohio Memory.
Image ID: AL02997
Subjects: Ku Klux Klan (1915-). Realm of Ohio; Racism--United States--History--20th century
Places: Lima (Ohio); Allen County (Ohio)
 

Description: Photograph of a night parade of members of the Ku Klux Klan in Dayton, Ohio, September 21, 1923. After a period of decline during the Jim Crow years, the Ku Klux Klan (KKK) emerged again during the 1910s. This reversal was partly due to the Great Migration, when hundreds of thousands of African Americans moved from the South to the North, seeking jobs in the North's industrialized cities, including many cities in Ohio. In addition, many people in the U.S. became involved in reform movements during the first decades of the twentieth century. Some of these movements supported middle-class, Protestant values and believed that non-whites and foreigners were a danger to these beliefs. Because of these fears and concerns, the Ku Klux Klan was able to find new supporters. The Ku Klux Klan was especially strong in Ohio during the 1910s and 1920s. In Summit County the Klan claimed to have fifty thousand members, making it the largest local chapter in the United States. Many of the county's officials were members, including the sheriff, the Akron mayor, several judges and county commissioners, and most members of Akron's school board. The Klan was also very popular in Licking County, where the group held its state konklave (convention) in 1923 and 1925. More than 70,000 people attended each event. The konklaves were held at Buckeye Lake, a popular tourist attraction in the early twentieth century. By the mid 1920s, the Ku Klux Klan began to decline in popularity, but saw a revival once again during the Civil Rights Movement of the 1950s and 1960s. The Ku Klux Klan continues to exist in the twenty-first century. It is, however, at present quite small in both numbers and influence. View on Ohio Memory.
Image ID: AL02999
Subjects: Ku Klux Klan (1915-). Realm of Ohio; Racism--United States--History--20th century
Places: Dayton (Ohio); Montgomery County (Ohio)
 

Description: Collage of photographs depicting scenes from a Ku Klux Klan parade in Springfield, Ohio, on September 8, 1923. After a period of decline during the Jim Crow years, the Ku Klux Klan (KKK) emerged again during the 1910s. This reversal was partly due to the Great Migration, when hundreds of thousands of African Americans moved from the South to the North, seeking jobs in the North's industrialized cities, including many cities in Ohio. In addition, many people in the U.S. became involved in reform movements during the first decades of the twentieth century. Some of these movements supported middle-class, Protestant values and believed that non-whites and foreigners were a danger to these beliefs. Because of these fears and concerns, the Ku Klux Klan was able to find new supporters. The Ku Klux Klan was especially strong in Ohio during the 1910s and 1920s. In Summit County the Klan claimed to have fifty thousand members, making it the largest local chapter in the United States. Many of the county's officials were members, including the sheriff, the Akron mayor, several judges and county commissioners, and most members of Akron's school board. The Klan was also very popular in Licking County, where the group held its state konklave (convention) in 1923 and 1925. More than 70,000 people attended each event. The konklaves were held at Buckeye Lake, a popular tourist attraction in the early twentieth century. By the mid 1920s, the Ku Klux Klan began to decline in popularity, but saw a revival once again during the Civil Rights Movement of the 1950s and 1960s. The Ku Klux Klan continues to exist in the twenty-first century. It is, however, at present quite small in both numbers and influence. View on Ohio Memory.
Image ID: AL03000
Subjects: Ku Klux Klan (1915-). Realm of Ohio; Racism--United States--History--20th century
Places: Springfield (Ohio); Clark County (Ohio)
 

Description: This photograph shows a Ku Klux Klan musical band from Dayton, Ohio, parading in Springfield, Ohio, on September 8, 1923. The musicians are wearing white robes and conical hats, but their faces are unmasked. Leading the band is a drum major holding a baton. Bystanders are watching the parade from the sidewalk. After a period of decline during the Jim Crow years, the Ku Klux Klan (KKK) emerged again during the 1910s. This reversal was partly due to the Great Migration, when hundreds of thousands of African Americans moved from the South to the North, seeking jobs in the North's industrialized cities, including many cities in Ohio. In addition, many people in the U.S. became involved in reform movements during the first decades of the twentieth century. Some of these movements supported middle-class, Protestant values and believed that non-whites and foreigners were a danger to these beliefs. Because of these fears and concerns, the Ku Klux Klan was able to find new supporters. The Ku Klux Klan was especially strong in Ohio during the 1910s and 1920s. In Summit County the Klan claimed to have fifty thousand members, making it the largest local chapter in the United States. Many of the county's officials were members, including the sheriff, the Akron mayor, several judges and county commissioners, and most members of Akron's school board. The Klan was also very popular in Licking County, where the group held its state konklave (convention) in 1923 and 1925. More than 70,000 people attended each event. The konklaves were held at Buckeye Lake, a popular tourist attraction in the early twentieth century. By the mid 1920s, the Ku Klux Klan began to decline in popularity, but saw a revival once again during the Civil Rights Movement of the 1950s and 1960s. The Ku Klux Klan continues to exist in the twenty-first century. It is, however, at present quite small in both numbers and influence. View on Ohio Memory.
Image ID: AL04363
Subjects: Ku Klux Klan (1915- )--Ohio--History--20th century; Racism--United States--History--20th century; Ohio History--Slavery, Anti-Slavery and Civil Rights
Places: Springfield (Ohio); Clark County (Ohio)
 

Description: Photograph of the first open Klonklave of the Dayton Klan, Knights of the Ku Klux Klan, Realm of Ohio held on April 20, 1923, "somewhere in Montgomery County." A class of 600 men were initiated. After a period of decline during the Jim Crow years, the Ku Klux Klan (KKK) emerged again during the 1910s. This reversal was partly due to the Great Migration, when hundreds of thousands of African Americans moved from the South to the North, seeking jobs in the North's industrialized cities, including many cities in Ohio. In addition, many people in the U.S. became involved in reform movements during the first decades of the twentieth century. Some of these movements supported middle-class, Protestant values and believed that non-whites and foreigners were a danger to these beliefs. Because of these fears and concerns, the Ku Klux Klan was able to find new supporters. The Ku Klux Klan was especially strong in Ohio during the 1910s and 1920s. In Summit County the Klan claimed to have fifty thousand members, making it the largest local chapter in the United States. Many of the county's officials were members, including the sheriff, the Akron mayor, several judges and county commissioners, and most members of Akron's school board. The Klan was also very popular in Licking County, where the group held its state konklave (convention) in 1923 and 1925. More than 70,000 people attended each event. The konklaves were held at Buckeye Lake, a popular tourist attraction in the early twentieth century. By the mid 1920s, the Ku Klux Klan began to decline in popularity, but saw a revival once again during the Civil Rights Movement of the 1950s and 1960s. The Ku Klux Klan continues to exist in the twenty-first century. It is, however, at present quite small in both numbers and influence. View on Ohio Memory.
Image ID: AL02995
Subjects: Ku Klux Klan (1915-). Realm of Ohio; Racism--United States--History--20th century
Places: Montgomery County (Ohio)
 

Description: First open Klonklave of the Middletown Klan, Knights of the Ku Klux Klan, Realm of Ohio held on May 26, 1923, somewhere in Butler County, Ohio. A class of 1,000 men were initiated. After a period of decline during the Jim Crow years, the Ku Klux Klan (KKK) emerged again during the 1910s. This reversal was partly due to the Great Migration, when hundreds of thousands of African Americans moved from the South to the North, seeking jobs in the North's industrialized cities, including many cities in Ohio. In addition, many people in the U.S. became involved in reform movements during the first decades of the twentieth century. Some of these movements supported middle-class, Protestant values and believed that non-whites and foreigners were a danger to these beliefs. Because of these fears and concerns, the Ku Klux Klan was able to find new supporters. The Ku Klux Klan was especially strong in Ohio during the 1910s and 1920s. In Summit County the Klan claimed to have fifty thousand members, making it the largest local chapter in the United States. Many of the county's officials were members, including the sheriff, the Akron mayor, several judges and county commissioners, and most members of Akron's school board. The Klan was also very popular in Licking County, where the group held its state konklave (convention) in 1923 and 1925. More than 70,000 people attended each event. The konklaves were held at Buckeye Lake, a popular tourist attraction in the early twentieth century. By the mid 1920s, the Ku Klux Klan began to decline in popularity, but saw a revival once again during the Civil Rights Movement of the 1950s and 1960s. The Ku Klux Klan continues to exist in the twenty-first century. It is, however, at present quite small in both numbers and influence. View on Ohio Memory.
Image ID: AL02998
Subjects: Ku Klux Klan (1915-). Realm of Ohio; Racism--United States--History--20th century
Places: Butler County (Ohio)