Brief History of the Lions

The International Association of Lions Clubs was founded in 1917 by Melvin Jones in Chicago, Illinois. In the very early beginning there was only one club.  Since 1917, Lions Clubs International has grown to over 43,000 clubs, with a membership of over 1,435,000 and located in 180 countries and geographical areas.

In 1925 Helen Keller addressed the Lions at their annual convention and challenged them to become "knights of the blind in the crusade against darkness''. From then on service to the blind and visually impaired is one of the association's most significant activities.

Lionism came to South Carolina in April 1922. The first club was chartered in Columbia. South Carolina Lionism has grown to 175 clubs with a membership of approximately 6,000.

The Spartanburg Lions Club was organized on May 23rd, 1922. The first officers were

                    President - Luther K. Brice
                    Secretary - J. Hamlin White
                    Treasurer - John N. Wright