Historic Pensacola

Ku Klux Klan Material

Pensacola, 1920s

The University of West Florida Historic Trust holds hundreds of documents and objects related to the 1920s Pensacola Ku Klux Klan.

This material traces one chapter in the local history of America's most enduring hate group. The majority of this material became part of the UWF Historic Trust Collection in November 2019. Documents and photographs related to the 1920s KKK that have been identified in the Historic Trust’s Archive have been digitized and can be viewed online at the UWF Digital Library. To view a complete list of the items not yet digitized, please navigate to the bottom of this page.

The 1920s KKK-related items in the UWF Historic Trust collection include:

Klavern Ledger (ca. 1922-1925): This 7¾” by 13” ledger book documents membership and activities of Pensacola’s Ku Klux Klan between 1922 and 1925. It includes a chronological list documenting payment of initiation fees, membership dues, special assessments, and the purchase of robes between October 1922 and December 1924. The ledger also includes financial information for the 1923-1924 fiscal year, meeting minutes for February to June 1925, an undated list of 487 members and their assigned robe number, as well as several miscellaneous lists. Every page of this handwritten, disorganized ledger, including the front and rear covers, has been scanned. Pages 108-118 were previously removed from the ledger. The back cover includes the title: “T.T. Wentworth Jr., Bicycles Sporting Goods” and it appears the ledger was maintained by T.T. Wentworth Jr. in his capacity as the Pensacola klavern’s Kligrapp (secretary).

Correspondence (ca. 1924-1941): The majority of the digitized collection consists of various letters, postcards, and other correspondence. This correspondence dates from 1924 to 1941. The bulk of correspondence dates to 1926-1927, which is likely due to a September 1926 order from I.E. Phillips, Grand Dragon (leader) of the Florida Klan, for klaverns to retain copies of all correspondence sent to/from the state office. The majority of correspondence sent from the Pensacola Klan is on letterhead for T.T. Wentworth Jr.’s bicycle and hardware business. Some correspondence is signed by Wentworth, others are signed “Exalted Cyclops” or “E.C.,” the leadership position Wentworth held in the Pensacola Klan during this time. Contextual evidence suggests the vast majority of these letters were either written to or by Wentworth. Exceptions are clearly noted in the document metadata. Additional correspondence includes postcards and official Klan announcements.

Photographs: Five photographs are part of the digitized collection. Two depict Klansmen taking part in funeral services in unidentified cemeteries and likely date from 1924-1927. Two depict public initiations and likely date from 1923-1927. A final photograph depicting a Klan cross burning dated November 15, 1958 is also included, representative of the photographs and other archival material held by the UWF Historic Trust Archives related to the post-World War II Ku Klux Klan.

Miscellaneous: The digitized collection includes a variety of other types of documents, including broadsides; a case file of a Klan internal judicial proceeding; ballots on the expulsion of a Klansman; newspaper clippings; receipts; and membership cards.

Objects: The UWF Historic Trust also contains an extensive collection of physical objects related to 1920s Ku Klux Klan, including robes, hoods, patches, and multiple crosses used in public ceremonies.

To learn more about Pensacola's 1920s Ku Klux Klan in Pensacola and the legacies of this history; read “ Pensacola's Ku Klux Klan and T.T. Wentworth Jr. A Preliminary Report." Written by Dr. Jamin Wells in consultation with a twelve-member community advisory group in the Spring of 2021, this preliminary report details the history of the 1920s Pensacola Klan and the role of its final leader, T.T. Wentworth Jr. It also suggests potential legacies of this history on Pensacola and the Historic Trust.

1920s Ku Klux Klan Material in UWF Historic Trust Archives Not Yet Digitized

The following items have not been digitized and are consequently not yet available in our digital catalogs.

Constitutions, By-Laws, and Proceedings:

Constitution and Laws of the Women of the Ku Klux Klan: Adopted by First Imperial Klonvocation at St. Louis, Missouri on Sixth Day of January 1927. Little Rock, Ark.: Parker-Harper Publishing Co. UWF_HT_2016.035.0441.
Kloran of the Knights of the Great Forest: K-Trio Character, Honor, Duty. Atlanta, Ga.: Knights of the Ku Klux Klan, 1928. (notations on back cover). UWF_HT_W. 83.102.1427.
Knights of the Ku Klux Klan. Constitution and Laws of the Knights of the Ku Klux Klan. Atlanta, Ga.: Knights of the Ku Klux Klan, 1921. UWF_HT_W.83.82.38.
Knights of the Ku Klux Klan. Constitution and Laws of the Knights of the Ku Klux Klan. Atlanta, Ga.: Knights of the Ku Klux Klan, 1926. (includes notations of election results on back cover). UWF_HT_W.83.102.1429.a&b. (2 copies)
Knights of the Ku Klux Klan. Kloran of the Knights of the Great Forest: K-Trio. Knights of the Ku Klux Klan, 1928. UWF_HT_2016.035.0440.
Knights of the Ku Klux Klan. White Book Kloran: K-Uno Karacter, Honor, Duty. 5th edition. Atlanta, Ga.: Ku Klux Press, 1916. UWF_HT_2016.035.0442. (numbered 206)
Knights Kamellia. Crimson Book: Oaths & Secret Instructions. Knights of the Ku Klux Klan, 1925. Unaccessioned. (numbered 100)
Knights Kamellia. Kloran: Knights Kamellia. Knights of the Ku Klux Klan, 1925. Unaccessioned. (2 copies, numbered 102 and 103)
Proceedings of the Second Imperial Klonvocation Held in Kansas City, Missouri Sept. 23, 24, 25 and 26, 1924. Knights of the Ku Klux Klan. UWF_HT_2016.035.0258.

Pamphlets:

America for Americans. (no date). UWF_HT_W.83.80.525.
Catholic Marriage Contract. (no date). UWF_HT_W.83.102.1432.
Evans, H.W. The Public School Problem in America: Outlining Fully the Policies and Programs of the Knights of the Ku Klux Klan Toward the Public School System. Ku Klux Klan, 1924. (2 copies). UWF_HT_2016.035.0453; W.83.80.526.
Evans, H.W. The Klan Spiritual. (no date). UWF_HT_2016.035.0444.
God Give Us Men! Ku Klux Kreed. (no date). UWF_HT_83.102.1430.
Ideals of the Ku Klux Klan. (no date). UWF_HT_W.83.80.523.1; W.83.80.523.2. (2 copies)
The Ku Klux Klan Presents Its View of Marriage. (no date). UWF_HT_2016.035.0443.a&b. (2 copies)
The Obligation of American Citizens to Public Schools. Compliments of the Ku Klux Klan, Inc. (no date). UWF_HT_83.80.524.
Wright, W.C. Religious and Patriotic Ideals of the Ku Klux Klan. R.C. Wright, 1926. UWF_HT_2016.035.0259.a&b. (2 copies)

Publications

Department of the Imperial Klaliff. Official Monthly Bulletin, Atlanta, Ga. April 1, 1927. UWF_HT_2016.035.0447.
The Kourier Magazine. Vol. 1, No. 10. September 1925. UWF_HT_2016.035.0260. The Kourier Magazine. Vol. 3, No. 10. September 1927. UWF_HT_2016.035.0449. The Searchlight. Atlanta, Ga.: July 7, 1923. Not accessioned.

Blank Forms and Documents

Application for Citizenship in the Invisible Empire: Women of the Ku Klux Klan. Form 100- J.F.H.Co. (ca. 1920s). UWF_HT_W.83.80.863.1&2. (2 copies)
Kligrapp’s Quarterly Report. Form K—105. (no date). UWF_HT_KKK Vertical File Oath of Allegiance. (no date). UWF_HT_2016.035.0458.
Order Form for KKK Robe. (ca. 1922). UWF_HT_W.83.3.b.