C. K. Cadman was our first Exalted Ruler.

The first home of Lodge #652.

On May 27, 1910 ceremonies were held to dedicate a new home at 5th and H streets in downtown Eureka for the Eureka Elks Lodge #652.  Over 350 Elks, led by District Deputy Grand Exalted Ruler James M. Shanly of Oakland Lodge #171, attended the dedication ceremonies which were held in the new Lodge room.  Ten months previously, on August 18, 1909, DDGER James M. Shanly began the construction of Eureka's new home when he laid into place the cornerstone of this new building.  The Governor of California J.N. Gillett, a Eureka Elks Lodge member, was also present at the 1909 ceremony and gave a speech before those assembled.

The 1910 dedication ceremonies included the full ritual followed by several entertaining performances by talented Elks.  A number of beautiful gifts were presented to the Lodge including three beautiful paintings donated by Artist and Brother C. T. Wilson and a Clock donated by The Traveling Brother Elks.  This same clock can still be heard sounding its beautiful chimes in our Lodge today.   The Eleven 0'Clock toast was given by Brother Webb and a banquet was held at the conclusion of the ceremonies.

This new home was the culmination of a lot of hard work put in by the Brothers of Eureka Lodge #652 in the first 10 years of its existence.  The new Lodge was also a reflection of the great esteem in which the people of Eureka held this Lodge.  The membership of the Lodge had skyrocketed in these first years and had enabled the construction of the beautiful new home.  With the new home in place, the Eureka Elks Lodge #652 continued to build upon the foundation it had laid in its first ten years, expanding its commitment to the community and to the Elks programs.

Throughout the early 1900's, those attending events put on by the Eureka Elks Lodge traveled to our great city via train.  It was not uncommon for as many as 100 Brothers to disembark here in Eureka for the express purpose of attending one of the Lodges many special events.  Great food, wonderful entertainment and the strong bond of Brotherhood brought many Elks to our beautiful area, often with frequent return trips following a first visit.

On November 11th 1910, a "Stein Night" was held at the Lodge with many beautiful Steins donated by the attending members.  Some of these Steins can be seen in the case that sits to the left of our entrance door as you enter the lodge.

In 1911 and 1912, the Lodge held Days of Forty Nine celebrations at local parks.  The celebration in 1912 attracted Elks from all over the State of California.  On that day 125 new members were initiated into the order, according to one article, as the culmination of the State Association meeting.  Reports from the time state that it was the biggest event held in the county up to that time.

A few years later, the beginning of World War I and our country's decision to declare a state of war with Germany shaped the future of Elkdom throughout the nation.  On April 4, 1917, the Eureka Elks Lodge passed a resolution pledging its support to our national government.  The Lodge then exhibited its sincerity in making this pledge by raising $5000.00 for the Salvation Army War Relief Work over the next year.  The Lodge continued to show its support of our Nations Veterans by resolving to support the construction of a Memorial Building in the city of Eureka on July 28, 1926.

In 1924 the city of Eureka was inundated with "Bill" mania as the State Elks Association held its annual meeting here. (If you have not had the opportunity to explore the Grand Lodge Web Site now would be a good time.  There is an excellent article concerning the origin of the "Hi Bill" greeting extended to the members of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks written by the Grand Lodge historian.).  Activities at the State Convention were varied and numerous.  They included boxing matches, baseball games, tours of the area, plays, orations, contests and prodigious amounts of our wonderful local food.

On September 8, 1926 the lodge organized it's Boy Scout Troop.  An effort showing this lodge's support of both our communities youth and of the American ideals.  The support of these ideals and the great effort put forth by the members of this lodge has continued throughout our history to the present day.
(Above published in March 2001 Herd Talk)

The first thirty years of Eureka Lodge #652's existence were marked by rapid growth, fellowship, fun and prosperity.  The Lodge was known throughout Northern California for its dedication to Elk programs, its ability to put on outstanding events and its talented membership.  The next twenty years would severely test the mettle of our country and our Lodge.

The lean face of the great depression was what greeted the members of the Elks in 1930.  In that year the Eureka Lodge membership was 960 strong and looked to be increasing.  Six years later the membership roles had declined to 437 members in good standing, less than half that of 1930.  The prosperity and growth of the first part of the century appeared to be a thing of the past, but the remaining 437 continued to maintain and advance the powerful ideals promoted by the B.P.O.E.

In 1938, the continued effort put forth by the remaining dedicated members of Eureka Lodge #652 became abundantly clear.  On June 29, 1938 the Lodge held a burning of the bonds ceremony having completed its last payment and retiring its debt on the home it had built for itself in 1910.  Throughout the 1930's the Lodge continued to provide a full slate of activities for its members.   The regularly scheduled Elk events, Mother's Day, Flag Day, the Elk's Memorial services and the Elk's Christmas party all received high praise and excellent attendance throughout these difficult years.

The end of the 1930s saw the beginning of World War II. The B.P.O. of Elks, a staunch supporter of those who answer the call to defend our great Nation, renewed its dedication to the members of our armed forces during this time.  Elks throughout the nation, including a number of Eureka's Lodge members, joined the armed services.

For the Elks here at home the war effort included the donation of needed supplies, particularly hospital supplies.  The Elks organization also helped raise needed funds for the War effort through the selling of War Bonds.  By 1945 the Eureka Lodge was credited with having sold $400,000.00 worth of War bonds.

With the war drawing to a close the Eureka Elks Lodge turned its attention once more to the local charitable activities for which it was so well known.  In 1945 the lodge organized a fundraiser that would become an annual event in Eureka for the next 28 years, the Elk- sponsored Polack Brothers Circus.

The annual Circus became an important Lodge fundraiser as our Lodge moved into the second half of the century and played an instrumental part in the implementation of the California and Hawaii Elks major project.

Our lodge managed to survive the troubled thirties and forties by remaining dedicated to the cardinal principals of our order.  It ended these decades a stronger and better prepared lodge, poised at the edge of greatness.   The next three decades would see that potential brought to fruition.

The decade of the 50s began in grand style for the Eureka Elks Lodge.  Our Lodge celebrated its 50th year in 1951.  The two projects for which our lodge became best known were initiated in that same year, the Blood Bank and the Major Project.

The Community Blood Bank was started with an initial donation of $7300.00 by the Eureka Lodge.  Carl M. Hansen was the Exalted Ruler of the Lodge at the time.  The bank was established with the purpose of serving the people of Humboldt and Del Norte counties.  In the years since many Elks have donated to this worthy organization.

The Major Project, now also referred to as the Purple Pig project, was adopted as the California and Hawaii Elks Association project at the 1950 State Convention in Sacramento.  In July of the following year the first Cerebral Palsy Mobile Unit began operating out of its base here in Eureka.

Initially the project provided physical, speech and occupational therapy to children afflicted with Cerebral Palsy.  It has since been expanded to include all disabled children that would otherwise be unable to receive needed services.  Other services, such as vision screening for preschoolers, were added as the program evolved and additional needs were identified.

Here in Eureka the initial program participants were identified at a free screening clinic offered by Dr. Paul Grigorief at the community hospital.  Potential program participants were asked to contact either Dr. Myron Husband or the Exalted Ruler at the time A.P. Brambani.  Mr. and Mrs. Hebenstreit were drivers of the first mobile unit and Mrs. Katherine Connell, occupational therapist was in charge of the local program.

Along with the Purple Pig program that was started in the state, the Eureka Elks also used funds from its annual Circus for the major project.  A short time later it began to hold annual picnics as a fundraiser.   The Circus was sponsored until 1973 when it was discontinued as a regularly scheduled event.

At its peak in this area the local project used three vehicles, ran up over 1800 miles in travel each month per vehicle and over 36 children receiving services.  As local and state agencies began taking over some of the needed services in this area, the program in Eureka changed and was eventually moved to another needy area in the state.

In 1971, a child that had received services through tile Elks Major Project in Eureka, with therapist Georgia Cooley, walked 10 miles in the Walk for Humanity.  As similar stories have come in from all over the state the true benefit of this great Elk s charity has shone brightly for all to see.  Because of the efforts made by the Elks these children truly do walk, talk, see and play.

While the great accomplishments of the Major project and Blood bank may have dominated the news of the time the Elks pledge to our countries veterans was never far from mind.   In 1953 Exalted Ruler Alfred Abrahamsen appointed Homer Stillwell chairman of Eureka Lodges veterans programs.  He immediately went to work and got the Lodge involved in the hides for veterans program.

Between 1953 and 1960 the lodge collected 7391 hides to be prepared and used in leather working programs for our nations disabled veterans.  In 1959 the lodge collected 1419 hides, more than any other lodge in the nation.  In 1963 the number of hides collected skyrocketed to over 2000.

Hides collected in Eureka were salted and shipped to stations in other parts of the state by a local trucking company, free of charge.  The hides were then tanned and sent on to Veteran's hospitals and other Veteran's programs where they were turned into a variety of leather products by the patients in those hospitals.  Another good example of our Order's dedication to the promise it made to our veterans.

On August 5, 1970 the Lodge had a special group of initiates that it brought into the order.  Four brothers, the sons of Minor A. Waters, were initiated into the lodge that night.  The initiates were the great, great nephews of one of the original Jolly Corks, Thomas Cullin.

As this amazing period in Eureka Lodge #652's history was drawing to a close, the lodge completed yet another project, the construction of a new, our current, home.

At the beginning of the 1970's the Lodge was experiencing a somewhat pleasant problem, it had outgrown its current home on 5th and H St in downtown Eureka.  The members knew that expansion was necessary for the lodge to continue to move into the future but were divided as to how best to do this.

After much discussion and research on the subject it was finally decided that it would be in the lodge's best interest to move to its present location at 445 Herrick Avenue.  The next time you see George Little, remember to thank him for helping the lodge make the decision to build the beautiful home that we all now enjoy.   The groundbreaking ceremonies for our new lodge were held in March of 1972.  By July of 1972 the framework had been erected.  Finally on March 18, 1973 the new lodge was opened and the public was invited to visit our beautiful new home.
(Above published in April 2001 Herd Talk)

Throughout our Lodge's history we have had the good fortune to have an active and talented membership, in each generation, that has served as the driving force behind the Lodge's many special programs.  Some of the members in each era are remembered because their names have been inextricably tied to the programs which they worked so diligently to bring about.  Others are remembered for the leadership role they assumed in the lodge as a lodge officer or committee chairman.  Still others are remembered for the many hours volunteered in support of the lodge's programs.  In researching this final piece of our history, I was struck by the fact that while the accomplishments of these last 25 years were not as dramatic as those of the previous 25, they were just as impressive.

The Lodge began this period in its history in a new building.  Most of the Lodge's artifacts were moved to the new, our current, home but some things were lost or left behind in the move.  There had been some disagreement over the wisdom of moving the Lodge to its present location and a number of members withdrew from the Lodge at that time.  We now know that this move was an excellent decision, affording us greater flexibility and opportunity than our prior location in downtown Eureka.

The addition of a deck and expansion of the room next to the bar occurred during the ER year of our distinguished member of the Grand Lodge Judiciary, PDDGER Leon Karjola, in 1991.  A lender's fund was created at that time to assist with any further improvements and the general upkeep of the Lodge.

Further improvements were made to the Lodge in 1996 when the parking area was landscaped and steps were added from the upper to lower parking areas.  Jim Olson PSVP was Exalted Ruler at the time and the main force behind the project.

Throughout the years improvements have been made in the Lodge kitchen, storage area, barbecue and RV park on a regular basis thanks to the hard work and donations of a number of Elks and the Emblem ladies.

We have been able to serve three meals a week using an almost entirely volunteer kitchen staff.  Our bar is manned by volunteers.  The many programs that we promote and present each year are conducted entirely by volunteers.

During the last 25 years, the Lodge has continued to support the Blood Bank and Major Project, two of the projects discussed in last months article.  The Lodge has also sponsored sports teams each year, has supported the Camp Fire and Big Brothers programs, has its own Boy Scout troop, given numerous scholarships to area youth, held a hoop shoot free throw contest each year, sent supplies to the veterans at Yountville, held Christmas parties for the children of Elks and for disadvantaged youth, and has promoted and conducted numerous other social and charitable activities.   The number and variety of activities supported by our Lodge and the number of members contributing to the success of the Lodge over the last 25 years are too numerous to list here.
(Above published in May 2001 Herd Talk)

Chad Olson
Esteemed Lecturing Knight