Mystic Knights MC
11409 Miles Avenue
Cleveland, Ohio 44105
Phone: 216-641-1525
Fax: 216-441-9947
In 1962. Charles (Sonny) Pinson and Kenny Sharp had a vision. That vision was to create a motorcycle club that was unique. Today, the Mystic Knights Motor Cycle Club. Inc. is that vision turned reality. In 1962, after securing the Mystic Knight name from a dismantled, Miles Heights social club, Charles and Kenny officially became the Mystic Knight Motor Cycle Club. Inc. The name was important to Charles and Kenny, because it represented strength, unity, leadership and exclusivity. After Charles made some changes to the original social club patch, the Mystic Knights MC patch we wear today began proudly waving for all to see.
In April of 1965 the Mystic Knights Motor Cycle Club, Inc. received its state charter and began to take on additional members. Charles (Sonny) Pinson was appointed the first President. The Mystic Knights used the back of Kenny’s sign shop on 140th and Kinsman to hold it’s first meetings. The vision had become a reality.
In 1967 Bob Battle was elected President. His main goal was to move the club out of Kenny’s sign shop and to purchase or rent an appropriate clubhouse for the Mystic Knights. In 1971, under the presidency of Bob Battle the Mystic Knights MC moved into their first official club house on 118th and Union. The Mystic Knights had an estimated 43 members at that time and all of them rode Harley Davidson’s.
In 1973, John (Sir Jack) Jackson, who was a friend of Kenny Sharp and an original member of the Miles Heights Mystic Knights Social Club started the Kentucky Chapter of the Mystic Knights MC. Through John (Sir Jack) Jackson’s service in the military he had been relocated to Kentucky. After hearing that the Mystic Knights MC had organized he came to Cleveland, addressed the club, stated his desire to start a Kentucky Chapter, received the clubs blessing, got his patch, returned to Kentucky and chartered the Kentucky Chapter of the Mystic Knights MC, Inc.
Also, in 1973, the Mystic Knights MC gave their first field meet. The field meet was given in Kentucky and worked by members of both the Cleveland chapter and the Kentucky chapter. To this day the Kentucky Chapter of the Mystic Knights MC is still going strong. They have 6 members. John (Sir Jack) Jackson is still President. His wife Bobbi is the Secretary and they are still participating in bike shows and field meets all over the country representing the Mystic Knights MC family.
In 1974 Burnis (Rabbit) Haywood was elected President. One of his goals was to make the Mystic Knights stand out from other clubs. He really wanted to live up to the creed that the Mystic Knights were a Rare Breed. Some of the rules that he began to enforce were Mystic Knights had to ride in uniform at all times. A Mystic Knight’s motorcycle had to be clean at all times. A Mystic Knight and his motorcycle had to be presentable at all times or, he could be subject to a club fine. When 2 or more Knights were riding together. they had to ride in formation. Any Knight breaking that formation could be subject to a fine. As a result of these rules, the Mystic Knights MC quickly developed a reputation for being one of the best-dressed and most organized clubs in the city.
In 1975 The Mystic Knights MC purchased an old bowling alley located at 11407 Miles Avenue were we still remain to this day. After doing research on King Arthur and his famed Knights of the Roundtable, the new home of the Mystic Knights was affectionately called Camelot.
For those who don’t know. King Arthur was a British King. He was also a great warrior and a leader of great warriors, who were called Knights. King Arthur and his Knights were known through out England and across the water, because they had never been defeated in battle and they had no rivals among men. The land and the castle that King Arthur and his Knights called home was named Camelot.
Camelot was a place of peace and prosperity, a place where all Men were treated equally; hence the “round table”. A round table is a table with no head and no end. At that round table every Knight had an equal seat and an equal vote. No one Knight was more important than another. They were all equal, and they were all one.
In 1979 Leadership of the Mystic Knights changed to Edward Sykes and the vision continued. In 1980 Monroe (Broke Foot) Cuff became the President and he continued the Rare Breed vision as well.
In 1981, Curtis (Night Train) Houston, Sr. became President. During his Presidency the Mystic Knights enjoyed tremendous growth. The Mystic Knights acquired the Club House, the Motorcycle Repair Shop, the Apartment Building and the Parking Lot across the street.
In 1982, under the leadership of Curtis (Night Train) Houston, Sr., the Mystic Knights agreed to allow all touring bikes with 1000 cc motors into the club. Up until this point all Mystic Knights rode Harley Davidson’s. This bold move opened the doors for new potential members with Honda Gold wing’s and other notable touring bikes.
In 1984 the Mystic Knights MC voted it’s first female into the club. Her name was Russia (Disco Lady) Dennis. She joined the Cleveland Chapter and she rode a full dressed Harley Davidson. To this day she is still a valuable member of the Mystic Knights rides a full dressed Harley Davidson and is the first Lady Knight to sit at the table.
In 1985 Curtis (Night Train) Houston, Sr. started the tradition of the Street Festival. The Street Festival is a large block party sponsored by the Mystic Knights for Bikers and civilians. The Street Festival has games, prizes, line dancing, and live bands, a DJ and give a ways and donations to the neighborhood kids. The Street Festival is a proud tradition that still continues to this day.
In 1990, Carl (Silky) Campbell started the Chicago Chapter of the Mystic Knights MC. The vision had begun to grow in Chicago.
Curtis (Night Train) Houston, Sr. also began to stress the importance of the Mystic Knights traveling as a club. He wanted the Mystic Knights to be unique from other motorcycle clubs and he wanted the Mystic Knights to be respected on a national level as riders. To encourage this desire he organized a “Tour of the South”, leading the club on a trip from Cleveland, Ohio through some of the southern states and back to Cleveland, Ohio encompassing 3000 miles total in a single trip. Curtis (Night Train) Houston, Sr. served proudly as President of the Mystic Knights MC, Cleveland chapter from 1981 to 1992. His legacy to the Mystic Knights MC is two fold; he took the club to new heights and he had two sons, Curtis (Kurt) Houston, Jr. and Patrick (Pat Dogg) to come and join him at the round table.
In 1993 Curtis (Kurt) Houston, Jr. became the President of the Cleveland chapter. He began to modernize the Kingdom by overseeing needed updates, repairs and renovations to the properties. He also began strengthening the membership by working closely with existing members and recruiting new members. He believed no one member was more important than any other member. He believed every member had equal value.
In 1994 under the Presidency of Curtis (Kurt) Houston, Jr., the National President Position was created. Curtis (Night Train) Houston, Sr. was voted the first National President. A position he still holds till this day.
In 1995 the Mystic Knights were 1 of 11 clubs to host the National Bikers Round Up. Our participation in this event lead to Curtis (Kurt) Houston, Jr. and the Mystic Knights MC being known and well respected throughout the country as a disciplined, well organized representation of what a motorcycle club should be. To this day, other clubs from across the country still will call upon the leadership of the Mystic Knights for advice and encouragement.
Also in 1995 Jerry Moore started the Maryland Chapter of the Mystic Knights MC. The vision had begun to take root in Maryland.
Under Curtis (Kurt) Houston, Jr.’s leadership the Patio and the Dungeon was opened creating an even more comfortable environment where the Mystic Knights and their guest could come, relax and enjoy each others company. Also, the club purchased a van.
In 1998 the Biker Memorial Wall was established. This Memorial Wall is currently on display in the Mystic Knight clubhouse. The Memorial Wall is for all fallen riders, regardless of club affiliation, and bears the name, photo and information of the fallen rider to preserve their memory.
Riding in the legacy of his father. Curtis (Kurt) Houston. Jr.. traveled the country by motorcycle extensively before and after he became President. He continued to lead and encourage the club to travel as well.
In 2000 Charles (Doc) Houston became President of the Cleveland chapter. He led the Mystic Knights through the tragedy of The September 11th attack on the Twin Towers. Charles (Doc) Houston continued to up hold the vision. Camelot remained a place of peace and prosperity.
In 2002 Harry (Gay) Rose became President of the Cleveland chapter. During his presidency, Harry (Gay) Rose endured, the death of his son. Despite this heartbreaking event Harry (Gay) Rose served the Mystic Knights as President courageously and with honor. Harry (Gay) Rose also began the tradition of the Mystic Knight Family Picnic.
In 2004 Curtis (Kurt) Houston, Jr. became President once again and continues to serve as President of the Cleveland Chapter to this day. Upon regaining the Presidency Curtis (Kurt) Houston, Jr. immediately set exciting goals for the Cleveland Chapter of the Mystic Knights. Some of those goals included, but were not limited to mechanical updating on all the properties. This goal is close to completion as of this day. A new heating system has been installed in the Mystic Knight clubhouse. A new Fire Alarm system has been installed in Camelot, and other mechanical works are currently in progress.
Another goal was to create a website for the Mystic Knights. This goal has been accomplished. Today the Mystic Knights MC has a global presence on the Internet and can be reached via e-mail at www.mysticknightsmc.com.
Another goal was to strengthen the membership by working closely with the current officers and recruiting new members who valued our tradition, our family values and the sport of motorcycling. New applicants are being considered daily.
Lastly, Curtis (Kurt) Houston, Jr. had a dream to unite the past with the present. He wanted to bring all the Mystic Knights together, from the beginning to now, to celebrate our history, and our accomplishments, and at the same time “Pray. Plan and Prepare” for our future. He wanted to balance progress with tradition. He wanted the young to appreciate the old, and the old to celebrate the young. He wanted to reunite friends, remember those no longer with us, let bye-gone’s be bye-gone’s, and build new relationships.
Curtis (Kurt) Houston, Jr. firmly believed that, “you can’t change history”, it is what it is; but good or bad, we have come 40 years by faith; and we should be proud.
Mystic Knight’s History