Behold, The Bohemian Grove, and Other Retreats
The Bohemian Club is a private, men-only club in San Fransico, California with wealthy and influential members. It is known for its annual two-week encampment at the "Grove" near Monte Rio.
Great Owl of Bohemia, we thank
thee for thy adjuration.
Well should we know our living flame
Of Fellowship can sear
The grasping claws of Care,
Throttle his impious screams
And send his cowering carcass
From this Grove.
Begone, detested Care, begone!
. . . Once again Midsummer sets
us free!
Foreword
Researching various topics often will open a “Rabbit Hole.” Some time ago, that “hole” opened up. A link to a book on the CIA’s online library appeared in a “search engine” result. That suggested link had nothing to do with the research topic. The link led to a PDF copy of the book Bohemian Grove and Other Retreats. Reading the book revealed a treasure trove of information.
The Bohemian Club is a private men’s club in San Fransisco. It owns a private park in Monte Rio, California, Bohemian Grove. The Grove has an annual two-week encampment for its members. Luminaries include wealthy and influential politicians and business leaders. They gather at the Grove to socialize, network, and attend various ceremonies and performances. The Grove has been the subject of conspiracy theories due to its exclusivity and secrecy.
Enter Bohemian Grove and Other Retreats, written by William Domhoff. He is a sociologist who has written about power and class in American society. Domhoff’s work comports with leftist and progressive perspectives. Thus the far-wide alt-left Mainstream ignores Domhoff’s book about the Grove. Remember, there is no such thing as left-wing conspiracy theories in the pickled brain of the alt-left.
Because of the extensive so-called “right-wing conspiracy theories” about Bohemian Grove, I had no plans to cover this topic. My accidental discovery of the book by a progressive author covering the “Grove” and reading it gave me a new incentive to write about it. Considering the above background, I hope you enjoy my essay Behold, The Bohemian Grove, and Other Retreats.
Bohemian Grove and Other Retreats
The Bohemian Grove and Other Retreats (1974) is a book by William Domhoff, a sociologist, and researcher of power and wealth in the United States. The book analyzes the secretive retreats and exclusive clubs in America. It focuses on the most famous of these clubs, the Bohemian Club.
In The Bohemian Grove and Other Retreats, Domhoff examines the history and purpose of these clubs. These clubs serve as places for the wealthy and powerful to network, relax, and escape the public eye. Many know about the Club’s lavish entertainment and elaborate rituals. The Bohemian Grove, for example, has an annual retreat for members. The annual retreat occurs in a secluded forest in California (the Grove).
The Bohemian Clubhouse is the administrative headquarters. It is a private men’s organization based in San Francisco, California, located at 624 Taylor Street in the Nob Hill neighborhood. Architect Willis Polk designed the Club building in the Mediterranean Revival style. The building features a distinctive red-tiled roof and stucco exterior. A walled garden and courtyard surrounded the building. Over the years, members decorated the Clubhouse with art and artifacts. Acrutiments include paintings, sculptures, and antiques. The Clubhouse contains many dining rooms, bars, lounges, meeting rooms, and offices for the Club’s staff. The Clubhouse is the focal point of the Club’s social and cultural activities throughout the year. The Club hosts various events and gatherings, including dinners, lectures, and musical performances.
Becoming a member of the Bohemian Club, which hosts the annual Bohemian Grove retreat, is an exclusive and secretive process. Membership is by invitation only, and the process for getting invited is a guarded secret. The Club’s membership comprises wealthy and influential men. They come from various industries, including politics, finance, entertainment, and technology.
Influential and successful people have the best chance to gain membership in the Club. Even then, the decision to invite someone to become a member is at the discretion of the Club’s existing members.
This 1994 documentary, a rare expose about the Grove, is an excellent overview featuring William Domhoff:
Board of Directors
A fifteen-man board of directors manages and directs the Club’s affairs. The board of directors comprises club members elected to serve one-year terms. Candidates get elected by the membership based on their leadership and contributions to the Club. The president serves one year. The membership also elects officers, including the vice president, secretary, and treasurer.
The board of directors also includes other members who serve as at-large directors. The board meets to discuss and decide on the Club’s operations. Tasks include management of Bohemian Grove, administration finances, and the planning of events. The board of directors is accountable to the Club’s membership. They can vote on important matters such as changes to the Club’s bylaws or the election of new officers.
Historical Timeline
Here is a timeline of significant events related to the Bohemian Club:
1872 ~ Founding of Bohemian Club in San Francisco, California.
1880 ~ The first “encampment” occurs in the Russian River area near Monte Rio, California.
1933 ~ Establishment of the current location of Bohemian Grove in Monte Rio, California.
1940s ~ Popular gathering place for influential people, including several U.S. Presidents and military leaders.
1980s ~ Target of protest by political activists, who object to the Club’s secretive nature and its all-male membership.
2000s ~ Annual two-week-long encampments continue with attendance by influential politicians and business leaders. The event has recently been subject to increased media scrutiny, with many journalists and activists seeking to shed light on the Club’s secretive activities.
As private men’s organization, access to the Club and Grove is restricted to members and guests only.1 The Grove comprises approximately 2,700 acres of privately owned redwood forest along the Russian River, about 120 miles north of San Francisco.
Grove Committee
The “Grove Committee” is a subcommittee of the Bohemian Club. It plans and organizes the annual summer encampment at the Grove. The Committee comprises club members appointed by the club president. They provide experience, expertise, and leadership skills. The Committee organizes various activities related to the encampment. That includes coordinating logistical arrangements such as transportation, accommodations, and dining services. The Committee also plans and executes many events and activities during the encampment. Venues include musical performances, theatrical productions, lectures, and discussions.
Playing a crucial role, the Committee sets the tone and culture of Bohemian Grove. It upholds the Club’s “traditions and values.” The Committee works to ensure the encampment reflects a spirit of creativity. Intellectual curiosity and fellowship are hallmarks of the Bohemian Club. The Committee is an essential part of the Club’s governance and represents a significant investment of time and effort by its members.
Cremation of Care
The Cremation of Care is a theatrical ceremony at the annual Bohemian Grove retreat. Members of the club dress in costumes and perform a symbolic ritual that involves burning an effigy called “Dull Care.” That is a symbolic owl-like figure or “mascot” that represents daily life’s mundane or ordinary concerns. That is the antithesis of the creativity and freedom celebrated at Bohemian Grove.
During the Cremation of Care, Dull Care gets burned. It symbolizes freeing members from their worldly concerns. It allows them to focus on “creative and intellectual pursuits.” The tradition dates back to the early years of the Bohemian Club and has been the subject of some controversy over the years. Apologists claim the ceremony is a “theatrical” way for members to release their stresses and bond with one another.
The ceremony has occult or sinister undertones regardless of the above outward appearance. The Cremation of Care ritual involves a mock sacrifice. It includes elements from ancient Babylonian and Egyptian mythology. Also, it has more “contemporary artistic and literary traditions.”
Carrying the Spear
“Carrying the spear” is a term used to describe the role of a new member of the Bohemian Club during the Club’s annual Bohemian Grove retreat. That term comes from the fact that the new member carries a spear during one of the Club’s rituals, which involves the Cremation of Care mock sacrifice. Holding the spear is an honor and a rite of passage for new members. It is a symbolic gesture that signifies the member’s acceptance into the Club. It confirms a willingness to take part in traditions and rituals.
Bohemian Jinks
“Bohemian Jinks” is a term used to refer to the various artistic, intellectual, and social activities that take place at Bohemian Grove. The “Jinks” are essential to the annual summer encampment at the Grove. They include various events such as musical performances, theatrical productions, lectures, and discussions. The Jinks foster creativity, intellectual curiosity, and fellowship among the Club’s members. The term “jinks” comes from the Scottish word “jink.” It means to frolic or dodge, reflecting the playful and creative spirit of the Bohemian Club.
“Bohemian High Jinks” is a term used to refer to the most elaborate and extravagant artistic and theatrical productions. These large-scale productions involve music, dance, drama, and special effects. They satirize current events, cultural trends, or prominent political and artistic figures. The High Jinks highlight the Grove’s summer festivities. Many club members and guests attend. They showcase the creativity and talent of the Club’s membership and entertain and inspire the attendees. The High Jinks is part of a larger tradition of artistic and intellectual pursuits at the Bohemian Grove. That has been a hallmark of the Club since its founding.
Jumping the River
One of the more controversial topics associated with Bohemian Grove is the activity known as Jumping the River. Here is a direct quote from page 24 covering this topic:
Alert readers may have noticed that one pleasure is missing for these hundreds of men in search of a good time. That pleasure is female companionship. For a certain minority of Bohemians—reliable estimates put the figure well below 10 percent—such companionship is a necessity of life they cannot be without. Since women are strictly forbidden to enter the Grove, there is only one thing to do—jump the river.
Now, eager Bohemians do not literally jump or swim across the river. That is only an expression which some Bohemians use for going to one of two nearby towns to find an attractive prostitute at a bar which caters to the Bohemian Grove trade.
And from page 27:
However, it is not merely outsiders and journalists who talk about prostitution around the Bohemian Grove. The subject also commands bemused attention within the encampment itself. The relatively few incidents are the subject of exaggeration, myth making, and a lot of kidding.
Camps
There are 129 camps with different sizes, structures, and statuses. While the majority have a membership ranging from 10 to 30 individuals, a few camps accommodate about 125 members, and some have less than 10. Most of the camps are situated along the River Road, but a few are clustered in other regions within a five or ten-minute distance from the Grove’s center.
Members and their guests occupy camps during the annual summer encampment at the Grove. Each camp reflects the personality and interests of its owners. Many feature artwork, sculptures, and other decorations. The camps are an essential part of the social and cultural life of the Bohemian Club. They provide for various activities, including dining, drinking, and socializing. Click here for a bird’s eye view of the camps.
Club Members
The Club membership comprises individuals from various political beliefs, including conservatives, liberals, and others. The Club has strict privacy policies and keeps the identities of its members secret. It attracts a mix of political leaders, business executives, and influential figures.
Over the years, many influential people have been Club members or attended its annual encampments at the Bohemian Grove. Despite the secrecy, here is a short list of the more prominent luminaries:
U.S. Presidents
Theodore Roosevelt
Herbert Hoover
Dwight D. Eisenhower
Richard Nixon
Gerald Ford
George W. Bush
George H. W. Bush
Bill Clinton
Business Leaders
J. P. Morgan
David Rockefeller
Warren Buffett
Ronald Regan
Charles Schwab
Politicians and government officials
James Baker
Henry Kissinger
Caspar Weinberger
Alexander Haig
Artists, Musicians, Stars, & Others
Bong Cosby
Dick Martin
Merv Griffin
Clint Eastwood
Niel Armstrong
Jimmy Buffett
Mark Twain
Media
William Randolph Hearst
William F. Buckley Jr.
Walter Cronkite
These are a few examples of the influential people associated with Bohemian Grove over the years. Despite its prestigious membership, Bohemian Grove has been the subject of much controversy. Speculation abounds due to the secretive nature of the Club.
Good Bohemian
The idea of a “Good Bohemian” is a central concept within the culture and values of the Bohemian Club. It refers to a person who embodies the values and principles of the Club. That includes creativity, intellectual curiosity, and a commitment to friendship and fellowship. A Good Bohemian is passionate about the arts and humanities and explores new ideas and experiences.
According to the Club’s philosophy, a Good Bohemian values freedom and individuality. They challenge conventions and norms to pursue artistic and intellectual excellence. At the same time, a Good Bohemian is respectful of others. They foster building strong and enduring relationships with fellow Club members.
Spirit of Bohemia
The Spirit of Bohemia is a cultural and philosophical movement that emerged in Europe during the 19th century. The Bohemian Club and its members embrace it as a guiding principle. At its core, the spirit of Bohemia is about celebrating creativity and individuality. It is about non-conformity and rejecting social and cultural norms. The “spirit” reject personal expression that limits human potential.
In the Bohemian Club context, Bohemia’s spirit reflects a commitment to the arts. It embraces humanities and intellectual inquiry. The spirit focuses on building strong and enduring relationships between members. The Club’s values emphasize the importance of individuality, freedom, and personal expression. It encourages members to pursue their passions and interests in an atmosphere of openness and mutual support.
The spirit of Bohemia ties to the idea of fellowship, an essential component of a fulfilling and meaningful life. The Club’s members form strong bonds of friendship and camaraderie. They support each other in their creative and intellectual pursuits. In this way, the spirit of Bohemia is both a cultural and a social ideal. It is a broader philosophy of life that emphasizes personal growth, creativity, and mutual support.
Membership Dues
The cost of dues for Bohemian Club membership and other financial matters are private and confidential. Regardless, we know that membership in the Bohemian Club is expensive, exclusive, and has a long waiting list for new members. Other sources have claimed figures up to $25,000.00 for membership.
Club members pay for their travel, accommodations, and other expenses. That includes events and activities, including the annual summer encampment at Bohemian Grove. Membership in the Bohemian Club is a significant investment of time and money. Candidates must show interest in the arts, humanities, and intellectual inquiry.
Secrecy
The Bohemian Grove and Other Retreats also explores the secrecy surrounding these clubs and the measures they take to protect their privacy. Domhoff argues that this secrecy is necessary for the preservation of the social and political power of the club members. He explains that the members of these clubs often engage in activities, not in the public interest and that protecting their privacy allows them to act without public scrutiny.
Domhoff also addresses the criticism that these clubs are bastions of elitism and exclusion, perpetuating the power and wealth of their members. He argues that these clubs serve as a source of social capital for their members, providing access to networks, information, and resources unavailable to the general public. Through these clubs, the wealthy and powerful can maintain their social position and shape the policies and decisions that affect everyone.
The Other Clubs
In his book, Domhoff describes several venues like the Bohemian Grove, which he calls “other retreats.” Some of the clubs mentioned in the book include:
Rancheros Visitadores ~ exclusive equestrian Club in California
Yellowstone Club ~ private ski resort in Montana
Alfalfa Club ~ exclusive social club in Washington, D.C.
These clubs are like the Bohemian Club in that they are exclusive and cater to the wealthy and influential. They often feature unique traditions, rituals, and activities only available to members. Like Bohemian Club, the specifics of the operations and activities of these groups remain elusive from the public eye.
William Domhoff Biography
William Domhoff is an American sociologist and researcher best known for his work on studying power and wealth in the United States. He was born on March 17, 1935, and received his Ph.D. in sociology from the University of California, Berkeley, in 1961. Domhoff’s research studies the concentration of wealth and power in America and its impact on politics, policy, and society. He is best known for his book The Bohemian Grove and Other Retreats. Domhoff’s other works include:
Fat cats and Democrats: The role of the big rich in the party of the common man (1972)
Who Rules America?: The Corporate Rich, White Nationalist Republicans, and Inclusionary Democrats in the 2020s (8th edition, 2021) ~ Original title Who Rukes America? (1967)
C. Wright Mills and The Power Elite (coeditor with Hoyt B. Ballard, 1968)
Besides his research on exclusive clubs and retreats, Domhoff has also written about the power structure in America. He writes from a progressive (liberal) perspective.2 His research details the role of think tanks, foundations, and corporations in shaping public policy. He addresses the concentration of wealth and power, and social class.
Throughout his career, Domhoff contributed to the field of sociology. He has been a frequent speaker at academic conferences and institutions. He has also been a professor at various universities, including the University of California and Santa Cruz. Today he is a professor emeritus of sociology at Santa Cruz.
Analysis
The word “Bohemian” has several meanings, depending on the context. Here are a few of the most common uses of the term:
A person who lives and acts in a non-traditional or unconventional manner, often rejecting conventional social norms and values: In this sense, a Bohemian values artistic expression and creativity over material wealth or status and may lead a nomadic or free-spirited lifestyle.
A member of the Bohemian Club.
A native or inhabitant of Bohemia: Bohemia is a historical region in central Europe that was part of the Czech Republic.
The term “Bohemian” originates from the French word “bohémien.” It referred to the gypsies likely to have come from Bohemia. Over time, the word has evolved to encompass a variety of cultural and artistic movements, as well as the members of the Bohemian Club.
This essay demonstrates how the “right” and “left” luminaries form strong bonds of friendship and camaraderie. They support each other in their creative and intellectual pursuits in the spirit of Bohemia. It is a broader philosophy of life that emphasizes personal growth, creativity, and mutual support. Now you know that the mainstream “right” and “left” political landscape is as phony as a three-dollar bill. The outward illusion divides the people to ensure the luminaries’ power and control.
Brad Meltzer’s Decoded: Secret Societies Uncovered has an episode detailing the history of the Grove.3
Conclusion
The Bohemian Grove and Other Retreats is a unique and insightful examination of exclusive clubs’ role in maintaining power and wealth in America. This book is a must-read for anyone interested in the sociology of power and wealth in America. It provides valuable insight into the workings of some of the world’s most secretive and exclusive clubs.
William Domhoff is a sociologist and researcher who has significantly contributed to studying power and wealth in America. Through his research, he has shed light on the inner workings of some of the world’s most secretive and exclusive clubs and provided valuable insights into the concentration of wealth and power in America and its impact on society. 📕
Sources
The Bohemian Grove and Other Retreats ~ by G. William Domhoff, 250 pages, Harper & Row (Publisher), January 1974
The Bohemian Club ~ Home Page
A shadowy and controversial secret club meets in the California woods every year ~ Businessinsider.com
The Bohemian Club ~ Americanheritage.com
Social Cohesion & the Bohemian Grove, The Power Elite at Summer Camp ~ by William Domhoff
The Bohemian Club Conspiracy ~ Skeptoid.com
Bohemian Grove: Just about everyone wants a piece of it ~ Gaye Lebaron
Given the information presented in this essay, it is clear why the mainstream never invokes the “misogynistic” aspect of the Club.
This essay uses a progressive source. Thus, it is a puzzle palace for the truth-gods who “moderate” content.
Meltzer’s video also features Alex Jones. Jones repulses certain people, and he has made some questionable claims. Nevertheless, the information presented by Jones in the Meltzer video is worthy of consideration.
I remember reading about this a few years back. This crap has been going on in plain sight for years, yet nobody sees it for the weirdness that it is. All of this is connected.
Thank-you for writing this, Frederick. Believe it or not, I was thinking about the Bohemian Grove, just the other day.