E Clampus Vitus is both a Historical and Fraternal organization. Although ancient in origin, it reached its peak during the tumultuous days of The Great California Gold Rush. A member of E Clampus Vitus is commonly called a "Clamper". The latter-day members of this organization attempt to uphold the traditions of fellowship, good spirits, and fun. Like their forbearers, the modern Clampers are dedicated to the care and protection of the Widow and the Orphan. Especially the Widow.

The history of the organization is steeped in mythology. History shows that the organization was brought to the United States in 1845 in Lewisport, Virginia, now West Union, West Virginia, when tavern and stable owner Ephraim Bee was given a commission from the Emperor of China to “extend the work and influence of the Ancient and Honorable Order of E Clampus Vitus”. Bee felt that an organization was needed which was less exclusive than the other organizations of the day, such as the Masons, Elks and Odd Fellows. In addition, nativism was rising in the United States, as evidenced by such political organizations as the Know-Nothing Party. Bee opened membership in ECV to any “upstanding” man who had come of age.

Some people are Elks, others are Moose, and some are even Lions. But the most colorful of them all are the Clampers, members of the Ancient and Honorable Order of E Clampus Vitus (ECV). It all began as a spoof on other lodges and secret societies, and its early history is a little difficult to reconstruct. The early meetings of E Clampus Vitus in the California gold fields were devoted so completely to drinking and carousing that none of the Clampers were ever in any condition to keep minutes, let alone remember what had happened the next day! But ECV flourished, in part, as the result of the miners reaction to the “established” organizations such as the Masons and Odd Fellows. Those groups had come to the mining country prior to ECV, and when ECV appeared, the older more established groups looked down upon the more rowdy nature of E Clampus Vitus. ECV, on the other hand, made fun of the stuffed shirts of the Masons: they made great fun of the sashes and ceremonial attire of the “upscale” fraternities, and began dressing in red shirts and pinning on badges made of cut-out tin can lids. This practice, called “wearing the tin,” continues to this day, although the badges are frequently professionally made. Members commonly dress in a red shirt, black hat and Levi’s jeans. ECV titles reflected the tongue-in-cheek nature of the organization. Officials were called “Noble Grand Humbug,” “Roisterous Iscutis,” “Grand Imperturbable Hangman,” “Clamps Vitrix,” and “Royal Gyascutis.” All members are officers, and all officers are of equal indignity.

By tradition, a person could join E Clampus Vitus by invitation only and then was expected to endure an elaborate, humorous and sometimes grueling initiation ceremony. Membership in E Clampus Vitus declined in the late 1800s, but experienced a revival in the 1930s and is still going strong today. They still hold their unique initiation ceremonies, but now specialize in putting up commemorative plaques of historical and hysterical interest. Along with serious sites that need more reverent commemoration, Clampers have been known to plaque places like saloons, bawdy houses, and other locations that have been "overlooked" by more serious historical societies. Pull to the side of the road in Arizona or California to read a monument and as often as not, you will discover that Clampers had something to do with its erection. Since the early nineteen-thirties, well over two thousand historical sites have been "plaqued" with historical markers by ECV.

Lots of folks don't know what to make of the Clampers today, but we think Carl Wheat, one of the three founders of the revived Order back in the thirties, put it well when he described E Clampus Vitus as "The comic strip on the page of California History."

As of 2024, there are thousands of Clampers among fifty chapters in the States of: California, Arizona, Colorado, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, Utah, Washington, Wyoming, and Idaho.