At the height of the Christmas shopping season in 1923, a load blast was heard in Lykens, Dauphin County, Pennsylvania, followed by a large cross burning on the culm bank north of Lykens. This event inaugurated the presence of the Ku Klux Klan in Lykens.
The Lykens Standard of December 7, 1923, reported the event on page 1, top-of-column 1:
K. K. K. Burn Cross in Lykens
While business was at top notch Saturday evening at 8:50, a blast occurred which made the earth vibrate and attracted attention for distance of two miles surrounding Lykens.
A moment of stillness and and a second occurred following which a cross burst into flames on the refuse coal bank north of Lykens. The cross was about 20 x 30 feet.
News of the K. K. K. being assembled spread with great rapidity and citizens rushed to the scene. Many thought the Klansmen were in session on the opposite side of the bank which would have been east of Coaldale but numerous autoists in going to that place were disappointed in finding no gathering of the hooded Knights. None were located in the territory surrounding the scene of the burning cross, nor were any noticed leaving that section.
This was the first demonstration witnessed by residents at this place and caused much excitement. The cross burned nearly one hour.
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News article from Newspapers.com.
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