Hooded Klansmen Hold Big Parade Despite Weather

From The Indianapolis Star, Sunday, December 7, 1924:  Cool temperatures and damp streets did not keep Ku Klux Klan members from parading through downtown streets last night.  Observers estimated 1,660 (Klan leaders claim 4,000) persons clad in robes and hoods tramped three abreast from the Pennsylvania Railroad Park at Hamilton and Southeastern Avenues to Washington St and west into the business district.  The parade, which stretched twelve blocks, was led by a police detail, an automobile carrying Klan leaders including grand marshal Olie C. Mathias and followed by a mounted troop of robed Klansmen.  Numerous floats and several trucks loaded with robed women were among the marchers.  Several groups carried large flags.  Music was provided by a Klan band and a Klan drum and bugle corps, all robed.  Automobiles carrying mostly unrobed persons brought up the rear of the parade.

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“Hooded Klansmen Hold Big Parade Despite Weather,” The Indianapolis Star, 7 December 1924, p. 7:1

Kessler Driveway Plans Approved

From The Indianapolis Star, Friday, December 5, 1924:  After considerable change from the original route, the board of park commissioners adopted plans for the construction of Kessler Boulevard from Illinois St east to Ft. Benjamin Harrison.  The 100-foot-wide driveway begins at the Crow’s Nest bridge west of White River and goes east across the land of Dr. Homer H. Wheeler, following 59th St across the canal and Westfield Blvd to Keystone Av.  The route proceeds through the estate of William H. Roberts, across the lands of Silas Johnson, southeast to Millersville Rd, across Fall Creek, and east along 56th St to the fort.  Originally, the east section of Kessler Blvd was to run over 56th St from Meridian St to Ft. Harrison, but much of the area had been built up and would be too costly to acquire the land.

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                   “Kessler Driveway Plans Approved,” The Indianapolis Star, 5 December 1924, p. 1:3

New Orphans Home Almost Completed

From The Indianapolis News, Saturday, November 22, 1924:  The new Colored Orphans’ Home, erected by the Marion County board of commissioners, is scheduled to open January 1.  The new facility at 25th St and Keystone Av, consisting of four brick fire-proof buildings, will replace the old home at 21st St and Boulevard Pl which has been in use since 1869.  Designed by architect Donald Graham, the complex includes a two-story administration building with offices, dining room and kitchen, isolation ward, and two schoolrooms in the basement; two cottages, one for boys and one for girls containing eleven rooms each; and a powerhouse with a laundry room.  The home for colored orphans was established in 1869 as a result of a movement started by the Friends church and supported by Quaker contributions.  The county took over the home two years ago.

“New Orphans Home Almost Completed,” The Indianapolis News, 22 November 1924, p. 4:1