| What makes it historical? |
It was a slow go getting an Elks Lodge in Montrose, because there weren’t a lot of people in this part of Colorado at the time, and there was already a lodge in nearby Ouray. Nonetheless, on November 30, 1906, the plans for a new Elks Lodge in Montrose were announced! At first, they just owned lots in town and hosted social events, putting off building a physical lodge to help with the war effort during World War I, but by 1926, it was time for a fully fledged lodge in Montrose!
Like the Montrose City Hall, Montrose’s first Elks Lodge was designed by J.H. Antrobus and constructed by the firm of White & Okey! It opened May 26, 1927, the largest meeting hall in town, and hosted both Elks meetings and social functions like dances, graduations, and the annual Yellow Rose Ball! From here until 1969, the Elks contributed lots of money to improving city parks, building a hospital, and giving students scholarships! |
