| What makes it historical? |
Before the arrival of the Elks in Montrose, the Freemasons established a lodge here on March 4, 1885 and diversified into chapters of the Royal Arch Masons, Knights Templar, and Order of Eastern Star!
They originally held meetings on the first and third Tuesdays of the month in a room of the Olsen building and didn’t get to talking about a temple of their own until 1896!
It wasn’t until 1911 that the Masons contracted the firm of White & Okey to lay the groundwork, and the Grand Master of Colorado, Albert B. McGaffey, arrived by train to lay the cornerstone and place a time capsule! The building arose in Classical Revival style with huge Tuscan columns! The architecture is still mostly intact today!
Masonic lodge members played a big role in the development of the Montrose area. Frank D. Catlin led the movement to create the Gunnison Tunnel, which allowed irrigation of the Uncompahgre Valley! The Masons also provided financial assistance for members and non-members alike in the days before social security! |
