DOLORES, COLORADO
In western Colorado a little town known as Big Bend started growing, later to move upriver and become known as Dolores.
In 1913 there were two Masonic lodges in Montezuma County, No. 133 at Cortez, and No. 100 at Mancos. Since travel was slow in those days, it was very hard to go so far to lodge so the Master Masons in Dolores asked for a charter whereby they could organize a lodge.
Montezuma Lodge No. 145 was chartered on September 15, 1914. having a memhership of 24. On Novemher 30, 1960 that number had increaced to 115.
The lodge met in the Knights of Pythias Hall which burned to the ground in 1926. The lodge then purchased what was known as the old Post Office building and a few years later held a mortgage burning celebration.
In 1953 the lodge voted to build a new temple. This was dedicated October 3, 1953 by W.M. Bro. Hubert Glover. Much of the furniture and ornaments of the Lodge were made by lodge members.
