MONTE VISTA, COLORADO
Grand Master George K. Kimball signed the dispensation, July 21, 1888 with Brother I. J. Bloomfield as W. M., N. H. Chapman S. W. and J. Loy as J. W. At the first meeting a petition was received from J. S. Campbell and he became the first brother to receive the Degrees. On September 28th, the Grand Lodge granted the charter with 13 brethren as charter members and the above brethren as the three principal officers.
The first meetings were held in the Odd Fellows Hall which was located in the old Gallagher Building and where the present Library building is situated.
No serious disagreement has occurred throughout the years! In October, 1891, the first Brother T. A. Robbe passed away and was buried with Masonic honors.
In 1890, the move was made from the Odd Fellows Hall to the rooms in the Wallace and Clark building. In 1904, the Lodge moved to the Woodman building and remained there until 1929. The Trueblood and Smith building was purchased and is the present Masonic quarters. In June, 1933, Grand Master George A. Luxford dedicated the Temple.
Several of our brothers devoted years of service to the public welfare, Brother George M. Corlett as Lt. Governor of the state, Brothers Colvin Timmers and A. E. Hendler as State Senators and several Brothers were elected as Representatives.
During the first 50 years 38 brethren served as Masters of No. 73.
The records show that on many occasions Masonic service was extended to distressed brethren and often-times their widows and families. Our guest book shows the names of many of “The Greats” of Colorado, among which appear George A. Luxford, W. W. Cooper, F. J. Batten, C. J. Wyley, C. A. Lumbeck, Harry Bundy, Ex-Governor Johnson of our Sister Lodge at Alamosa and Charles L. Young.
Membership, 1960 283
