Page "Kokomo, Indiana" Paragraph 5

On July 4, 1923, Kokomo achieved national notoriety when it hosted the largest Ku Klux Klan gathering in history.

An estimated 200, 000 Klan members and supporters gathered in Malfalfa Park for a mighty Konklave and the elevation of D. C. Stephenson to Grand Dragon of the Indiana Klan.

A huge flag was used that day to collect a reported $ 50, 000 for construction of a local “ Klan hospital ” so that Klan members would not have to be treated at the only local hospital, which was Catholic.

At that time Indiana was a Klan stronghold, and as much as 50 percent of white males in parts of Indiana were Klan members.

Both men ’ s and women ’ s Klans held weekly rallies and initiations in Malfalfa Park, and Kokomo ’ s Klanswomen held meetings at the armory, the local headquarters of the Women of the Ku Klux Klan, and churches.

A speech at a Baptist church was attended by 1000 Klanswomen.