Alois Knapp

Alois Knapp is considered by many to be the historical father of American nudism.

Biography

Alois Knapp was born in Innsbruck, Austria in 1896. He trained as a priest before focusing on the law. Knapp to the United States between world wars ¹ and moved to Chicago. He graduated Northwestern University in Chicago. He was a successful lawyer before founding Zoro Nature Park, nudist park. ²

Knapp and his wife Ursula converted their 200 acre farm in Roselawn, Indiana into Zoro Nature naturist camp after watching a viewing of This Nudist World. Together with 5 guests the established Club Zoro. ³ They opened on July 16 1933 and quickly grew in membership. ⁴ In the early 1930s, through mid 1950’s the now renamed Zoro Nature Park in Roselawn, was billed as the largest nudist club in the country. ⁵ The park grew in popularity after World War II and drew visitors from around the Midwest. ⁶ Knapp efforts inspired others like Max Hilbig to establish nudist camps elsewhere in the Midwest. ⁷

Knapp and Ilsley Boone

Knapp was the editor of Sunshine and Health magazine published by Ilsley Boone. Serving in the role the editor Knapp included photographs of his niece Barabara Knapp, herself a photographer and avid nudist. ⁸ During the attempt to oust Illsely Boone for the leadership of the American Sunbathing Association, Knapp was nominated to be president by Rudolph Johnson.

Knapp public appearances

Knapp appeared on television during season 9 episode 43 of the popular game show What’s My Line? ⁹

Game 4: Dr. Alois S. Knapp – “Owns and Operates Nudist Camp” (self-employed; he owns the Zorro Nature Park in his hometown of Roselawn, Indiana) ¹⁰

Knapp published the Oak Leaves newsletter which includes news, editorials, letters and event schedules.

Legal trouble

The Knapps and Zoro Nature Park were targets of police surveillance and legal action came to the defense of other naturist park owners who were targeted like Fred Ring

ROSELAND, Ind., Oct. 20. Invigorated hy the warm sunshine that followed October’s coldest night, 40 confirmed nudists cavorted in Zero Nature park here last week in defiance of a court order to robe themselves. “We are unashamed of our bodies.” a nudist spokesman said. “It will take more than court orders and cold weather to stop us from leading our lives as we wish.” A court order banning operation of the cult’s camp was issued at Kentland Tuesday on charges that small children from a nearby school were allowed to iningl? with the unclad men and women. Alois Knapp, Chicago attorney and operator of the camp, made vigorous denial of the charge. “Four barb wire fences surround our camp.” he said. “We bother no one. The public is not admitted.” The international nudist conference, with headquarters in New York, came to he defense of their unclad followers with word that Kenneth K. Crippen, their local attorney, would defend the colonists in any test case. “We have fought 17 similar cases in eastern courts and won every one,” Crippen said. He will defend Fred Ring. Allegan, Mich., nude leader, on similar charges, today. Informed of the defiance of the Zero nature camp, Agnes Monitor, Kentland prosecutor who obtained the court restraining order, said she would investigate immediately to determine whether violation of the order was occurring. “It is a very serious matter,” she said. “If those people are still going around without clothes we will have to stop it.” The Roselawn nudists sing with glee; “We know the trees, the birds and lilies “Are growing fearless an I untamed. “For God has made us in his image, “And we. like they, are unashamed.” A $lOO,OOO diamond reported stolen in London. Can’t fool us. There haven’s been such values in the world for years. By United Press ¹¹

Biography

Knapp and Ilsley Boone

Knapp public appearances

Legal trouble

References