Making of a Lodge
Warren G. Harding Lodge No. 579 F. & A.M.
Warren G. Harding Lodge N. 579 F. & A.M.
So Brother Brown solicited the aid of Brother Raymond S. Duffee. If you buy the gas and ride around with me to canvass the area for members of the craft I am sure a lodge will grow in this area. Off they rode in a cloud of dust, for roads were not paved in many areas and over the sound of the motor you could hear Brother Duffee pleading with Brother Brown to please slow down because the bumps in the road were destroying his kidneys. Can't you visualize this scene?
Time went on and for a while the only progress they thought they were making was more business for the service stations, because the gas and oil bills kept mounting. In due time they proved that time, patience and perseverance will accomplish all things, when seventeen members of the Craft located in the North Sacramento area concentrate on a single purpose.
The next problem was to bring them together on a common footing, so to accomplish this, Henry, being a great promoter, conceived the idea of the formation of a club, and forthwith formed the Acacia Club, which club was incorporated by the State of California later in the year 1922. The club elected officers with Henry Brown as its president and held regular meetings.
We read in the history of this Acacia Club that it was decreed in the wisdom and counsel of Henry R. Brown that a Masonic Temple should be built, erected to God and dedicated to.the future spiritual growth of our community.
We also learn from the same source that these seventeen men desired to build this Temple, but that in consequence of Grand Lodge requirements, that no Masonic Lodge could meet on a ground floor, this distinguished privilege was at first denied them, because at that time there was not a single two story building in North Sacramento.
They were not, however, left without hope, for Brother Brown promised them that he would furnish a man who would be adequate in the performance of such a great and glorious undertaking. That promise was verified in the person and character of Brother Frank Johnson, a member of Washington 20, who agreed to build the temple.
In commenting on the early formation of the Lodge, Worshipful Brown was quick in giving credit to William O. Irwin, an affiliated Past Master and the first Secretary of the Lodge, who served in that capacity until sickness forced him to retire. Also much credit is due Brother Charles L. Gilmore, who with his legal advice played an important part in the institution of Warren G. Harding Lodge. Worshipful Gilmore was always sought for advice and counsel until illness forced him to resign from the Hall Association. He was active with that group and served as its secretary.
On the 18th day of January in the home of Byron Dome on Fairfield Road and Calvados Avenue, these seventeen men entered into an agreement with Frank Johnson to lease from him the second story of a building to be erected by him, for a period of five years at a monthly rental of not to exceed $75.00.
To this particular meeting can be traced the start of Warren G. Harding Lodge, and we who follow owe these seventeen men an undying debt of gratitude, who signed their names as follows:
Time went on and for a while the only progress they thought they were making was more business for the service stations, because the gas and oil bills kept mounting. In due time they proved that time, patience and perseverance will accomplish all things, when seventeen members of the Craft located in the North Sacramento area concentrate on a single purpose.
The next problem was to bring them together on a common footing, so to accomplish this, Henry, being a great promoter, conceived the idea of the formation of a club, and forthwith formed the Acacia Club, which club was incorporated by the State of California later in the year 1922. The club elected officers with Henry Brown as its president and held regular meetings.
We read in the history of this Acacia Club that it was decreed in the wisdom and counsel of Henry R. Brown that a Masonic Temple should be built, erected to God and dedicated to.the future spiritual growth of our community.
We also learn from the same source that these seventeen men desired to build this Temple, but that in consequence of Grand Lodge requirements, that no Masonic Lodge could meet on a ground floor, this distinguished privilege was at first denied them, because at that time there was not a single two story building in North Sacramento.
They were not, however, left without hope, for Brother Brown promised them that he would furnish a man who would be adequate in the performance of such a great and glorious undertaking. That promise was verified in the person and character of Brother Frank Johnson, a member of Washington 20, who agreed to build the temple.
In commenting on the early formation of the Lodge, Worshipful Brown was quick in giving credit to William O. Irwin, an affiliated Past Master and the first Secretary of the Lodge, who served in that capacity until sickness forced him to retire. Also much credit is due Brother Charles L. Gilmore, who with his legal advice played an important part in the institution of Warren G. Harding Lodge. Worshipful Gilmore was always sought for advice and counsel until illness forced him to resign from the Hall Association. He was active with that group and served as its secretary.
On the 18th day of January in the home of Byron Dome on Fairfield Road and Calvados Avenue, these seventeen men entered into an agreement with Frank Johnson to lease from him the second story of a building to be erected by him, for a period of five years at a monthly rental of not to exceed $75.00.
To this particular meeting can be traced the start of Warren G. Harding Lodge, and we who follow owe these seventeen men an undying debt of gratitude, who signed their names as follows:
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Henry R. Brown
Charles L. Gilmore T.G.Maple Thomas E. Douglas Byron S. Dome F. E. Carlisle |
A. A. Atkinson
A.M. Miller E.D. Woodbury W. W. Johnson W.E.Peck A. T. Mountain |
F. J. Wilkins
B.Prom Charles Anderson William O. Irwin F. L. Maxwell |
Charter members of Warren G. Harding Lodge as shown by the minutes of the Lodge, under date of August 13, 1923, in their petition for a dispensation were as follows:
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William O. Irwin, Linton No. 98, in North Dakota
Henry R. Brown, Sacramento No. 40 Charles Lee Gilmore, Tehama No. 3 Byron S. Dome, Tehama No. 3 Joy Fenton Wanamaker, Tehama No. 3 Winfred Edgar Peck, Huntington No. 498, in Arkansas Edson Orvil Reese, Sacramento No. 40 B. Prom, Milton No. 48, in North Dakota Archibald A. Atkinson, St. Johns No. 37 Fred Edwin Carlisle, Union No. 58 William H. Pimentel, Union No. 58 Arthur Thomas Mountain, Orville No. 103 |
Loren Emmett Crowder, Branson No. 587, in Missouri
Thomas Grove Maple, Sacramento No. 40 Ira DeWitt Harrison, Fruitvale No. 336 John Henry Horak,Mt. Tabor No. 106, in Minnesota Joseph E. Edwards, Evansville No. 64, in Indiana Thomas E. Douglas, Long Beach No. 327 James Gimblett,Mt. Tabor No. 106, in Minnesota William W.Johnson,Mt. Tabor No. 106, in Minnesota Raymond S. Duffee, Brotherhood No. 986, in illinois John W.Johnson, Sacramento No. 40 John Trusty Holden, Boiling Springs No. 152, in New Jersey Lester Russell, Sisson No. 310 |
After the building was completed, the dispensation granted and the officers had passed their proficiency, they went to work with make-shift tools.
Whence and Whither
San Juan Lodge No. 732 F. & A.M.
Norman L. Langness
On the 11th day of October, 1946 a group of our Sisters and Brothers met in the Club Room of the old Fair Oaks Federated Church to form an organization to be known a s the "Eastern Star Club." The sole purpose of the Club was the formation of a Chapter of the Order of the Eastern Star in the San Juan area. On Dec. 12th, 1946 the bylaws of the Club were amended and the name was changed to the "San Juan Eastern Star and Masonic Club." At a meeting held on the 14th of April 1948, the Club was dissolved and the funds then in the treasury were turned over to the new Chapter which was to receive its dispensation on the 27th of April, 1948, as San Juan Chapter #563, Order of the Eastern Star. The Chapter now has an active membership of 245 members and meets regularly in the Fair Oaks Civic Club House on the Second and fourth Tuesdays of the month.
The members present at the meeting of April 14, 1949, believing that the Club has been a huge success, decided that it should be perpetuated to further expand our Masonic activities in the San Juan Area. A committee was appointed to draft a new set of by-laws for an organization to be known as the "San Juan Masonic Club.” The purpose of the Club was to acquire a suitable site and build a Masonic Temple in which to meet as well as to provide the nucleus for the formation of other organizations having Masonic Affiliations. During the life of the Club, many proposals for the building of a Temple have been considered. Each was given a great deal of study and serious consideration before being rejected in favor of a plan to acquire a centrally located site upon which to build our own Masonic Temple. On the 1st day of October, 1952, Brother Percy McMillan and his wife Eula, very generously gave the Club a three-acre building site located on Fair Oaks Blvd. at Temple Park Drive. In addition to the building site, the McMillan’s gave the Club a one half interest in a beautiful, oak tree studded Six acre parcel of land to be used as a park and to be known as Donahue Memorial Park.
At a meeting of the Club in December 1951, the members elected to sponsor a Chapter of the Order of DeMolay, The first officers were installed on the 2nd day of February, 1952, and they later received a Charter as San Juan Chapter Order of DeMolay. They now boast a membership of 85 young men and are one of the most active in Northern California. They conduct their meetings in the Fair Oaks Grange Hall on the second and fourth Thursday of the month. On the 20th day of March 1953, the Board of Directors of the Club and the late Brother Miles J. McClelland, Inspector of the 218th Masonic District, met in the home of Brother Fred Boltres to form an organization committee to petition the Grand Lodge of California for a dispensation to form a Masonic Lodge to be known as San Juan Lodge. This dispensation was granted to the 43 Charter members on the 21st day of October 1953, and after proving its ability to operate as a regular Lodge, was chartered as San Juan Lodge # 732, F&AM, on the 15th day of January 1954. The Lodge holds its Stated Meetings on the third Wednesday of each month in the Fair Oaks Grange Hall.
On the 14th day of November, 1955, the San Juan Masonic Building Association was formed in accordance with the rules and regulations of our Masonic Grand Lodge and Incorporated under the corporate laws of the State of California. It is empowered to do all things necessary to construct, maintain and manage a Masonic Temple in our Community. On the 17th day of February 1960, the Masonic Club transferred the title to our building site to the Building Association and at its meeting held the 6th day of April 1960, the Club elected to purchase the first shares in the Building Association to enable it to get started on a building program. All members of San Juan Lodge and other qualified organizations may now purchase additional shares through the Lodge secretary.
These accomplishments stand out among the many good works of The San Juan Masonic Club and are the result of the unceasing efforts and faithful support of its members. Good fellowship and fine Masonic spirit are evidenced in all of the meetings of the Club, held on the first Thursday of each month in the Fair Oaks Grange Hall. The members partake of the Pot Luck dinner before the meeting, and you are very cordially invited to join with us in our refreshments and in our activities.
On the 11th day of October, 1946 a group of our Sisters and Brothers met in the Club Room of the old Fair Oaks Federated Church to form an organization to be known a s the "Eastern Star Club." The sole purpose of the Club was the formation of a Chapter of the Order of the Eastern Star in the San Juan area. On Dec. 12th, 1946 the bylaws of the Club were amended and the name was changed to the "San Juan Eastern Star and Masonic Club." At a meeting held on the 14th of April 1948, the Club was dissolved and the funds then in the treasury were turned over to the new Chapter which was to receive its dispensation on the 27th of April, 1948, as San Juan Chapter #563, Order of the Eastern Star. The Chapter now has an active membership of 245 members and meets regularly in the Fair Oaks Civic Club House on the Second and fourth Tuesdays of the month.
The members present at the meeting of April 14, 1949, believing that the Club has been a huge success, decided that it should be perpetuated to further expand our Masonic activities in the San Juan Area. A committee was appointed to draft a new set of by-laws for an organization to be known as the "San Juan Masonic Club.” The purpose of the Club was to acquire a suitable site and build a Masonic Temple in which to meet as well as to provide the nucleus for the formation of other organizations having Masonic Affiliations. During the life of the Club, many proposals for the building of a Temple have been considered. Each was given a great deal of study and serious consideration before being rejected in favor of a plan to acquire a centrally located site upon which to build our own Masonic Temple. On the 1st day of October, 1952, Brother Percy McMillan and his wife Eula, very generously gave the Club a three-acre building site located on Fair Oaks Blvd. at Temple Park Drive. In addition to the building site, the McMillan’s gave the Club a one half interest in a beautiful, oak tree studded Six acre parcel of land to be used as a park and to be known as Donahue Memorial Park.
At a meeting of the Club in December 1951, the members elected to sponsor a Chapter of the Order of DeMolay, The first officers were installed on the 2nd day of February, 1952, and they later received a Charter as San Juan Chapter Order of DeMolay. They now boast a membership of 85 young men and are one of the most active in Northern California. They conduct their meetings in the Fair Oaks Grange Hall on the second and fourth Thursday of the month. On the 20th day of March 1953, the Board of Directors of the Club and the late Brother Miles J. McClelland, Inspector of the 218th Masonic District, met in the home of Brother Fred Boltres to form an organization committee to petition the Grand Lodge of California for a dispensation to form a Masonic Lodge to be known as San Juan Lodge. This dispensation was granted to the 43 Charter members on the 21st day of October 1953, and after proving its ability to operate as a regular Lodge, was chartered as San Juan Lodge # 732, F&AM, on the 15th day of January 1954. The Lodge holds its Stated Meetings on the third Wednesday of each month in the Fair Oaks Grange Hall.
On the 14th day of November, 1955, the San Juan Masonic Building Association was formed in accordance with the rules and regulations of our Masonic Grand Lodge and Incorporated under the corporate laws of the State of California. It is empowered to do all things necessary to construct, maintain and manage a Masonic Temple in our Community. On the 17th day of February 1960, the Masonic Club transferred the title to our building site to the Building Association and at its meeting held the 6th day of April 1960, the Club elected to purchase the first shares in the Building Association to enable it to get started on a building program. All members of San Juan Lodge and other qualified organizations may now purchase additional shares through the Lodge secretary.
These accomplishments stand out among the many good works of The San Juan Masonic Club and are the result of the unceasing efforts and faithful support of its members. Good fellowship and fine Masonic spirit are evidenced in all of the meetings of the Club, held on the first Thursday of each month in the Fair Oaks Grange Hall. The members partake of the Pot Luck dinner before the meeting, and you are very cordially invited to join with us in our refreshments and in our activities.
American River Lodge No. 795 F. & A.M.
American River Lodge was chartered on September 28, 1959 by Grand Master Joe Shoell. They first held their meetings at Natoma Lodge #64 in Folsom. This arrangement continued until 1971 when American River Lodge had the opportunity to rent the Grange Hall located on Kilgore Road in Rancho Cordova, Ca. The members, feeling that American River Lodge was really organized for Rancho Cordova, took advantage of the opportunity and met there until December 2007. In January 2008 they had to relocate back to Natoma Lodge in Folsom CA. Eventually making a new home in Citrus Heights at the San Juan Masonic Center.
Over the decades American River Lodge was heavily involved in many community projects. They established and partnered with the Rancho Cordova Recreation and Park District for almost 35 years putting on the annual Community Halloween Haunted House and Party, which continues to this day.
They volunteered at the annual California Capital Airshow, and community clean up project along Folsom Blvd. They sponsored many events within the Folsom Cordova School District including spelling bees, essay contests, and distribution of personal dictionaries.
In 2017 they helped establish a Young Gentlemen's Program in one of the elementary schools to mentor third, fourth, and fifth grade boys who did not have a male role model in their life. In July of 2018 they provided a free venue and volunteered to cook and serve approximately 300 soldiers during their Family Readiness BBQ.
In the last years American River Lodge decided to move again to their final home by becoming members of Harding San Juan Lodge #579 in Citrus Heights in 2022. The past members combined with their new home are committed to continuing a strong history and making a positive influence in the Sacramento community.
Over the decades American River Lodge was heavily involved in many community projects. They established and partnered with the Rancho Cordova Recreation and Park District for almost 35 years putting on the annual Community Halloween Haunted House and Party, which continues to this day.
They volunteered at the annual California Capital Airshow, and community clean up project along Folsom Blvd. They sponsored many events within the Folsom Cordova School District including spelling bees, essay contests, and distribution of personal dictionaries.
In 2017 they helped establish a Young Gentlemen's Program in one of the elementary schools to mentor third, fourth, and fifth grade boys who did not have a male role model in their life. In July of 2018 they provided a free venue and volunteered to cook and serve approximately 300 soldiers during their Family Readiness BBQ.
In the last years American River Lodge decided to move again to their final home by becoming members of Harding San Juan Lodge #579 in Citrus Heights in 2022. The past members combined with their new home are committed to continuing a strong history and making a positive influence in the Sacramento community.