GREELEY, COLORADO
On November 29, 1870, there was granted to a group of Greeley Masons a dispensation to operate a lodge. Some months later, on September 26, 1871, M.W.G.M. Henry M. Teller granted the lodge a charter, which was signed by 30 members. From this humble beginning the lodge membership increased to 663 on November 30, 1960.
During its 90 years of existence, the lodge has met in 6 different locations, including one meeting place that was formerly the stage of the Greeley Opera House. One building was destroyed by fire in 1883. That was occupied under a 99 year lease and in 1959 a quitclaim deed was given so that the Greeley National Bank, the present owner, might obtain a loan on it for their holding company.
The cornerstone of the present Temple, at 9th Street and 10th Avenue, was laid June 20, 1927 by M.W.G.M. Frank J. Reinhart. The first lodge meeting in the new Temple was held on October 14, 1927.
In 1908, Henry T. West, Past Grand Marshal, was made a Permanent Grand Lodge Member for his zeal, ability, and faithful services for nearly half a century. He was a regular attendant at Grand Lodge for nearly 40 years until he moved to Idaho in 1910. A letter of his recollections about the world’s development during his life span entertained the Grand Lodge in 1917. He died in 1923 having been a Mason over 70 years.
Dr. Zachariah X. Snyder, president of the State Normal School, now Colorado State College, served as Grand Chaplain from 1904 to 1915.
Tyndall Snyder, Senior Grand Steward, died in 1948. Giles N. Alkire was appointed to the Grand Officer line to succeed him but was drafted two years afterwards to follow Charles L. Young as Grand Lecturer.
Irving Cannon, P. M., is now serving our Grand Lodge as Grand Marshal.
The lodge has always been interested in strengthening the ties of Masonry and is assisting in the forming of a new lodge in Greeley.
