In the aftermath of World War I, America went through an evolution of what became known as “Americanism.” During this period, they developed a suspicion of anything foreign or non-American. Their recent patriotism was magnified during the post war era after national labor disturbances, bomb scares, and a wave of crime all contributed to keep their suspicions alive. And it was the malicious organization known as the Klu Klux Klan that thrived in this atmosphere of fear. The city of Pensacola was rife with rumors of Klan activities, but its first overt act occurred on July 8, 1921 when three automobiles containing hooded figures stopped in front of Chris C. Lochas’ Riverside Café on North Tarragona Street. The hooded Klansmen entered the establishment and handed the Greek owner a message that read:
"You are an undesirable citizen. You violate the Federal prohibition laws, the laws of decency, and you are a running sore on society. Several trains are leaving Pensacola daily. Take your choice, but don’t take too much time. Sincerely, in earnest, K.K.K."
Mr. Lochas decided that discretion was the better part of valor and caught the next train for Mobile, Alabama. Even though the police knew who the Klansmen were, no charges or arrests were ever made.
Again, on September 22, 1923 about the Brent Methodist Church being visited by the local chapter of the Klu Klux Klan. The visit occurred on the night of September 20th during a revival at the church conducted by two ministers by the names of Reverend J. A. Bridges and Reverend Bancroft from Century. About fifteen Klansmen came to the church wearing their white robes and masks and held a fiery cross aloft in the front yard of the chapel. The purpose of the visit was not to threaten anyone but was to explain to the congregation the principles of their organization in hopes of possibly recruiting new members.
By 1924, Lochas had returned to Pensacola and had become part owner with Chris Godalis of the Dainty Del Restaurant at 286 North Palafox Street. He and his wife Alice moved to 1826 East Lee Street and stayed in the restaurant business for the rest of his life. As time went by, even those who feared the shifting attitudes of racism were not greatly concerned about the Negroes of Pensacola. The work of the Klan was aimed primarily toward the Jews and Catholics because the black citizens did not threaten the status quo of the community. The Negroes within the city did not affect the morals of the community because they were mostly segregated and became even more so in the 1920’s. At that time the number of blacks and whites living on biracial blocks dropped to seven percent of the overall population.
Changes in racist attitudes were beginning to surface in Pensacola. For instance, one of the practices of the newspaper was to spell the word “White” with a capital first letter and the word “Negroes” or other races with a small first letter. For years this was an excepted practice until Reverend T. E. Huntley appeared on the scene in Pensacola. The good reverend challenged the News Journal to cease and desist this prejudicial practice and the paper’s editor whole heartily agreed. So, it was said and so it was done. These changes, plus the fact that the black population remained stationary, may have been one of the reasons that Negroes were not the major source of anxiety for the vigilante groups of the period. But the movement never took root to any significant degree in Escambia County.
Pensacola News Journal 7-9-1921
Pensacola News Journal 9-22-1923