True Crime-Paranormal-Conspiracy Theories Stories Part V #Wattys2023

Bohemian Grove

Bohemian Grove is a restricted2,700-acre (1,100 ha) campground at 20601 Bohemian Avenue, in MonteRio, California, United States, belonging to a private SanFrancisco–based gentlemen's club known as the Bohemian Club. Inmid-July each year, Bohemian Grove hosts a more than two-weekencampment of some of the most prominent men in the world.

The Bohemian Club's all-male membershipincludes artists and musicians, as well as many prominent businessleaders, government officials, former U.S. presidents, senior mediaexecutives, and people of power. Members may invite guests to theGrove. Guests may be invited to the Grove for either the "SpringJinks" in June or the main July encampment. Bohemian Clubmembers can schedule private day-use events at the Grove any time itis not being used for Club-wide purposes, and they are allowed atthese times to bring spouses, family, and friends, although femaleand minor guests must be off the property by 9 or 10 pm.

After 40 years of membership, the menearn "Old Guard" status, giving them reservedseating at the Grove's daily talks, as well as other perquisites.Former U.S. president Herbert Hoover was inducted into the Old Guardon March 4, 1953; he had joined the club exactly 40 years prior.Redwood branches from the Grove were flown to the Waldorf AstoriaHotel in New York City, where they were used to decorate a banquetroom for the celebration. In his acceptance speech, Hoover comparedthe honor of the "Old Guard" status to his frequent role asveteran counselor to later presidents.

The Club motto is "WeavingSpiders Come Not Here," which implies that outside concernsand business deals (networking) are to be left outside. When gatheredin groups, Bohemians usually adhere to the injunction, althoughdiscussion of business often occurs between pairs of members.Important political and business deals have been developed at theGrove. The Grove is particularly famous for a Manhattan Projectplanning meeting that took place there in September 1942, whichsubsequently led to the atomic bomb. Those attending this meetingincluded Ernest Lawrence, J. Robert Oppenheimer, the S-1 ExecutiveCommittee heads, such as the presidents of Harvard, Yale, andPrinceton, along with representatives of Standard Oil and GeneralElectric as well as various military officials. At the time,Oppenheimer was not an S-1 member, although Lawrence and Oppenheimerhosted the meeting. Grove members take particular pride in this eventand often relate the story to new attendees. Other behavior at thecampground has led to numerous claims and even some parody in popularculture. One example was President Richard Nixon's comments from aMay 13, 1971, tape recording talking about upper-class SanFranciscans: "The Bohemian Grove, which I attend from time totime—it is the most faggy goddamned thing you could ever imagine,with that San Francisco crowd."

History

Henry "Harry" Edwards, afounding member

The tradition of a summer encampmentwas established six years after the Bohemian Club was formed in 1872.Henry "Harry" Edwards, a stage actor and foundingmember, announced that he was relocating to New York City to furtherhis career. On June 29, 1878, somewhat fewer than 100 Bohemiansgathered in the Redwoods in Marin County near Taylorville(present-day Samuel P. Taylor State Park) for an evening sendoffparty in Edwards' honor. Freely flowing liquor and some Japaneselanterns put a glow on the festivities, and club members retired at alate hour to the modest comfort of blankets laid on the dense mat ofRedwood needles. This festive gathering was repeated the next yearwithout Edwards, and became the club's yearly encampment. By 1882 themembers of the Club camped together at various locations in bothMarin and Sonoma County, including the present-day Muir Woods and aredwood grove that once stood near Duncans Mills, several miles downthe Russian River from the current location. From 1893 Bohemiansrented the current location, and in 1899 purchased it from MelvinCyrus Meeker who had developed a successful logging operation in thearea. Gradually over the next decades, members of the Club purchasedland surrounding the original location to the perimeter of the basinin which it resides.