COLORADO SPRINGS, COLORADO
Since the origin and early history of Tejon Lodge is so closely bound up with that of Acacia Lodge No. 85, some members being named on the charters of both lodges, it is necessary to know something of the past of the latter Lodge.
On August 15, 1890, a dispensation was granted for Colorado Springs Lodge U. D. The dispensation was continued on September 25, 1890. In 1891, M.W. Bro. Ernest L. Foster reported that there were two lodges under dispensation with names similar to a chartered Lodge: Colorado City Lodge No. 76, Colorado Springs Lodge U.D. and Colorado Lodge V.D. The officers of Colorado Springs Lodge U.D. selected the new name of Acacia and the lodge was chartered under that name on September 15, 1891.
At the annual communication of the Grand the charter of Acacia Lodge No. 85 was revoked its members.
On October 22, 1897, 34 former members of Acacia Lodge No. 85, together with 7 other brothers, asked for a dispensation to reorganize under the name of Tejon Lodge U.D. The dispensation was granted December 16, 1897. A charter was issued September 21, 1898, at which time there were 41 charter members. The lodge was constituted November 16, 1898 by M.W. Bro. Horace T. DeLong.
Tejon Lodge meets in the Colorado Springs Masonic Temple, the corner-stone of which was laid on May 4, 1908, M.W. Bro. Joseph A. Davis officiating. The temple was dedicated on December 1, 1908 by M.W. Bro. John B. Haffy.
Tejon Lodge is justly proud of its four Past Grand Masters: Charles H. Dudley, 1914; Edward P. Hufferd, 1923; Horace H. Mitchell, 1930, and Olin P. Lee, 1951. Edward E. Hedblom, the first Secretary of Research Lodge of Colorado, was Grand High Priest of the Grand Royal Arch Chapter of Colorado in 1950. Frank L. Olney served as Right Eminent Grand Commander of the Grand Commanc1ery, Knights Templar, of Colorado.
Membership in Tejon Lodge No. 104 totalled 979 on November 30, 1960.
