(Author’s Note)
In the last installment of the Chronicles of Elk Grove Lodge, it was mentioned that some time had passed that was unaccounted for in either the Tiler Register or Minutes. We did well up until around 1866 and then we would have a month here or there without any documentation. Then we began having gaps of about 2–3 months at a time. I attribute this to our Brothers traveling miles across the countryside on horseback to attend lodge meetings at Brother Freeman’s home on Bilby Road and inadvertently, temporarily misplacing our records. I apologize for some of the conjecture I am using in piecing our history together, hoping it’s accurate. Fortunately, as of October of 1871 we had built our first lodge hall and through 1876 (the extent of my research at this time) it appears that the issue of historical gaps had been resolved.
OUR FIRST LODGE
On June 23, 1866 a change in wording is noted in our Tiler Register. Prior to this time, the common header used was, “Stated Meeting of Elk Grove Lodge of F&AM No. 173,” followed by the date. However, we now begin to see the phrase, “held at Elk Grove.” In April of the following year we begin to occasionally see, “held at Elk Grove Lodge.” This change is matched in the Minutes of this time as well.
Was this simply reflective of a sense of community that was developing among our brothers or an indication of an actual change of meeting location? On page 9 of our lodge’s first Accounting Ledger (library index A&R 1) there is an entry dated January 27, 1866 “Paid D.M. Osburn $8.00.” The importance of this entry will be clear shortly.
We know based upon language captured in the Minutes of December 26, 1868 that our Lodge was meeting at a location other than Brother Obediah’s home from the following excerpt:
“…the W.M. appointed Bros Allin & Christophel as a committee to wait on D.M. Osburn and to ascertain the lowest amount he would take for his property then occupied by the masons (emphasis added) & to make him an offer of $650.00 which he refused to take. The W.M. then appointed Bros O.S. Freeman and Christophel as a committee to ascertain the lowest rent he would take for the same property per annum and to offer him $60.00 per annum which he also refused to take.”
Herein then, lies the rent dispute mentioned in the History of Elk Grove Lodge.[1] Our Brother’s appear to have remained in this location, the Old Elk Grove Corners of Elk Grove Boulevard and Highway 99, until around June 19 of 1869. On this date in the Lodge Minutes it is noted that Brothers O.S. Freeman, Thomas Cotter and Richard Allin were appointed as a committee to move lodge furniture. With the given time line it is likely that this was from our first Lodge Hall rented from Mr. D.M. Osburn back to the Freeman home for either use or storage.
In the Tiler Register entry of June 2, 1871 we have our first reference to a meeting being held at “the Hall” of Elk Grove Lodge. Information contained in the Tiler’s Register, Minutes and Accounting records is not always clear and can be somewhat confusing at times. For example, the following month the Minutes reflect that “Business of procuring Mr. D.M. Osburn House and property for a lodge room and was referred to committee.” So if the meeting of June 2, 1871 was held at “the Hall”, what and where was that Hall? In any event, just three months later, in the September Minutes of 1871 the committee for procuring a lodge room reported and was discharged. “The property was purchased for $500.00 and deeded to Richard Allin, WM and his successors in office forever.” Elsewhere, records indicate this was a two acre parcel. Of course the next thing our brothers did was form a committee, this one consisting of Brothers Richard Allin, Obediah S. Freeman and N. Christophel “to attend to the property of Elk Grove Lodge.”
Excerpt from Minutes of September 23, 1871
For the first time we had a Lodge that was truly ours and not a rental. This must have been an exciting and proud time for our Brothers! It has been reported in the History of Elk Grove Lodge1 that the lower floor of our Lodge was occupied by a Chinese wash house. Indeed, beginning October 28, 1871 we have record of monthly rent payments of $6.00 received from “Chinaman.” It should be noted that our predecessors were largely farmers and misspelled each other’s names throughout the Tiler Register and the Minutes. It should not come as a surprise that a name of Chinese origin might be too challenging for them. Therefore, referring to our renter’s country of origin was the simplest response.
There were other renters as well, in a stated meeting on December 14, 1872 it was moved that “the Templers occupy the Lodge Room by paying $5.00 per month”. This was for a weekly rental of the Lodge Room itself. Additionally, in October of 1873 we began renting out the hall to the Elk Grove Farmer’s Grange, providing “said Grange keep the hall in a neat and cleanly order”. Brother Obediah S. Freeman, our Treasurer, was placed on a committee of one to attend to the insurance of the Lodge Building.
One last important issue to address for this installment: From the Minutes of April 12, 1873:
“There being a discussion on the propriety of conveying a portion of the site of our Lodge, Brother Westlake moved that the discussion be carried over and the secretary be instructed to inquire whether we have a right to convey any of said property and also what majority vote was recorded to convey the aforesaid property.”
So we had just obtained our lodge property two years earlier and now wanted to convey or transfer a portion of our two acre site? To whom?
In June of 1873 Brother Allin asked for further time to confer with the Grand Master respecting the Trusts of Lodge Property. Time was granted. Then at the Stated meeting of March 28, 1874 we are provided with the following information:
“A project was brought before the Lodge for discussing the matter of laying out a portion of the Masonic lot for a Burial Grounds for Masons and their families. A motion was made by Brother Maholm, seconded by Brother I.L. Freeman that at the next Stated meeting a vote of the Lodge be taken regarding the above matter and also that the lot be fenced off and laid out in suitable lots.”
The motion passed and the project was approved. You can probably guess what our Brothers did next…they formed a committee, this one consisting of Brothers R. Allin and Norman J. Stewart to attend to the duty of fencing the proposed cemetery.
A view of the former Masonic Cemetery from the East facing West alongside Elk Grove Boulevard. Cemetery office buildings can be seen in the distance.
The Elk Grove Community Cemetery District buildings as they exist today. This is a likely spot where our first lodge may have been. In the Northwest corner of the lot and surrounded by old Masonic monuments.
This is the extreme Northwest corner of the cemetery lot. You can be fairly certain that this lot is on the original elevation of the surrounding land. However, Highway 99 passes by beneath it and Elk Grove Boulevard passes above to clear the freeway.
If you have never been to the Elk Grove Cemetery I would encourage you to stop by some day. Many of the monuments capture names you will recognize and are graced with the Masonic symbols including the Order of the Eastern Star.
[1] History of Elk Grove Lodge, F.&.A.M. 1864-1964. Researched by Bro. Bunn B. Smith. Compiled by Bro. Carl G. Winter and Bro. G.F. Mix, Jr. Library index HST OSD 32. 2 copies.
-Brother Don Price, Lodge Historian