On April 11, 1924 the Hoosier Kennel Cub became recognized by the State of Indiana as a Nonprofit Corporation. At that time Harry A. Meyer signed as president and Albert A. Meyer as secretary. From 1924 until 1929 the president of the club was held by several different men. Then Harry A. Meyer served again from 1929 until 1947. Albert serve as secretary for 24 years.

On April 27th through 29th, 1924 H.K.C. held their first A.K.C. shows. Prior to that time H.K.C. was known as the Indianapolis Kennel Club and held shows in April. At the beginning H.K.C. consisted of five (5) members and eight (8) associate members, all men except the first two years a lady served as secretary. In 1927 H.K.C. became an A.L.C. Member club. Membership was by invitation only. From 1924 until 2023 H.K.C. remained a mens only Kennel Club and still membership by invitation only.

Almost from the start all H.K.C. shows were benched, benches were rented until 1929 and then the club purchased 500 benches at the cost of $1,400. The H.K.C. remained a bench show until 1960. From 1924 until spring of 1933 H.K.C. shows were 2 & 3 day shows. financing the shows was a challenge and on several occasions bank loans were taken and on several other occasions board members each paid $50 out of pocket to cover expenses. In 1928 the Governor from the State of Indiana was asked to present Best in Show trophy for March 27th, 28th and 29th shows. Also in 1928 H.K.C. wrote an article for the first A.K.C. official Dog Magazine. In 1929 the H.K.C. purchased a new Chevrolet to be raffled off at the show. Ten thousand tickets were printed and to be sold at $0.50 each. The thought was to raise funds for the show, the H.K.C. lost $500 on this show.

In the early years all forms of advertising for upcoming shows were tried from hired people walking streets with signs to stickers on taxis, street cars, to churches, libraries, lamp posts, etc. None seemed to have a great impact in bringing in spectators. Also in the earlier years at several shows a club officer would be the Superintendent for the show in order to save money. The fee for a superintendent in the 1920s & 1930s would have been $200-$250, the club would pay postage.

From May 1933 until September 1935 no records were found. On September 27, 1935 H.K.C. was recognized with only five members and at that time it was voted on to not have any associated members. The next show was September 1936 called “State Fall Show” then June 6, 1937 a one day All-Breed show. In March 1938 six new members were added to the club making a total of 11 members. The spring show of 1938 lost $500. For the fall show of 1938 Albert Meyer once again volunteered to be superintendent and the club showed a small profit.

In December three men became new members bringing the total membership to 14. In 1940 the club membership was at 18. Every member brought into the club represents a different dog breed and that is the same for 2023 and to be limited to 50 members. In 1940 H.K.C. formed a women’s auxiliary which was very successful and it was voted to keep it permanent. In 1940 Obedience was added to the shows. In 1942 the show was canceled because of World War II. The 1942 and 2021 (Pandemic) were the only years that H.K.C. had no shows. Puppy matches were held every year until the late 1990s.

In 1944 and 1945 the Anderson, Indiana Kennel Club shows were held with the H.K.C. shows. By 1945 the H.K.C. consisted of 25 members. By 1948 H.K.C. was at 27 members. in 1953 H.K.C. offered children handling classes at their matches (ages 8-15) with boys and girls classes and in 1955 chlldren’s classes were added to the H.K.C. shows. In the 1950s H.K.C. held monthly training classes for novice handling. In 1955, 15 women were trained to be ring stewards and worked at H.K.C. for several years.

For many of the early years H.K.C. supported the Specialty Clubs in the area by paying for their judges fees and up until now, H.K.C. continued to support the Specialty Clubs in different ways. Entry fees in the 1950s were $4.75 and by 1967 they were at $6.00. Through the years, H.K.C. held shows at 10 or 12 different locations. Two were outside of the Indianapolis area. The H.K.C. has held shows in nine different buildings at the Indiana State Fairgrounds, primarily in the Manufacturing building, Horse barn, and Cattle building. In 1961 through 1964 shows were held in the Coliseum at the Fairgrounds with a red carpet and spotlight for B.I.S.

In 1963 H.K.C. membership was at 46. Through the years many national specialty clubs held their specialty in conunction with H.K.C. all-breed show. The H.K.C. held a fall and spring show until 2000. In 1970 Junior handlig became a regular class at the show with licensed judges instead of professional handlers doing the judging. In 1972 the H.K.C. moved their show from the Fairgrounds to the Convention Center in the center of Indianapolis and remained there until 1992. In 1993 the H.K.C. was moved back to the Indiana State Fairgrounds where it remains at present time.

Through the years H.K.C. had financially supported many different organizations such as protection vests for police officers and their K9 companions, the Morris Foundation, Purdue Vet School, Crossroads Rehab center, Police funds, Fencing for Indianapolis Animal Shelter, Riley Hospital for Children and many more. H.K.C. has had many excellent secretaries through the years, fur in particular served a total of 80 years who were: Albert Meyer, John White, Fred Meyer, and Hank Arszman.

*All information taken from past club minutes*