FORT COLLINS, COLORADO
The first informal meeting of Masons in Fort Collins was in Henry Clay Peterson’s Workshop in 1866. There were many Freemasons in the district prior to that date, but this was the first known meeting in the area. Brother Peterson’s “Work Shop” was the cradle of Masonry in Fort Collins.
As a result of this and subsequent meetings, a petition was sent to the Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Colorado requesting a Dispensation to establish a lodge in Fort Collins. Signers of the petition were recommended by Columbia Lodge, of Boulder, as having proved themselves skilled: Master Masons, and meeting the necessary requirements.
On May 22, 1870, Fidelity Lodge, Under Dispensation was organized. Most Worshipful Grand Master Henry M. Teller appointed Henry Clay Peterson, Worshipful Master; F. J. Snider, Senior Warden; B. H. Eaton, Junior Warden. The Worshipful Master then appointed A. A. Loomis, Treasurer; J. H. Bradstreet, Secretary; J. Wills, Senior Deacon; H. Straton, Junior Deacon; and T. M. Smith, Tiler. The above men were signers of the petition for dispensation as were C. J. McDivit, J. M. Smith, G. M. Swift, B. T. Whedbee and M. G. Smith.
Fidelity Lodge U. D. met on the second story of the Grout Building, where they initiated nine Entered Apprentices, passed three to the degree of a fellow craft and raised three to the sublime degree of a Master Mason. Samuel P. Holland was the first candidate to receive his degrees in Fidelity Lodge U. D.
A petition to change the name from Fidelity, to Collins Lodge, at the time of the granting of the charter was granted, and on September 28, 1870, Collins Lodge No. 19 received its charter.
Deputy Grand Master O. H. Henry instituted the Lodge and installed its First Officers under charter on October 15, 1870.
These officers were Henry Clay Peterson, Worshipful Master; J. R. Wills, Senior Warden; B. H. Eaton, Junior Warden; Abner Loomis, Treasurer; J. H. Bradstreet, Secretary; Perry Downing, Senior Deacon; H. Stratton, Junior Deacon; C. J. McDivit, Senior Steward; A. J. Davis, Junior Steward; and J. M. Smith, Tiler. Worshipful Brother Henry Clay Peterson served his Lodge as Worshipful Master Under Dispensation, and again as a chartered Lodge in 1870, 1871, 1872, 1875 and 1878, doing much to promote the general welfare of the Lodge.
The first decade was a period of work, frustration and adjustment, and reveals a great amount of charity and relief to the poor and distressed.
The second decade saw the Lodge become a factor in the community – an influence for the betterment of Fort Collins.
The end of the third decade marked thirty years of genuine Masonry, wherein charity, ritualistic decor and the welfare of the Lodge were of prime importance, with social intercourse only at times when it did not interfere with the welfare of the lodge or its members.
The fourth decade of Collins Lodge, saw it move into its own Temple or rather a Temple for the Lodge and Constituent Bodies. This was the fourth home of Collins Lodge, the first being in the Grout Building, second the hall over Stover E. Tomlin Store, and third in the Loomis Block. The Worshipful Master at the beginning of this decade was L. D. Crain, who served as Grand Master in 1917-18.
In 1911 under guidance of I. E. Newsom as Worshipful Master, who became Grand Master in 1928, the lodge continued to move forward. The highlight of this year was the laying of the cornerstone of the Federal Building by Grand Master Robert M. Simons, assisted and supported by Collins Lodge No. 19.
The period from 1910 to 1920 showed a healthy growth in the lodge and community. A change in the By-laws was necessary to avoid the possibility of a repetition of loss in Lodge Funds, which was discovered on the death of the secretary in 1909. An audit of his books showed a deficit from 1906 to 1909 of over $1000.
A Masonic Library was started in 1914.
The period 1920 to 1930 saw the planning and building of a New Temple and the furthering of social activities.
The New Temple was dedicated at a special communication June 27, 1927 by the Grand Master, Most Worshipful Brother Frank J. Reinhard, assisted by the Grand Lodge officers and” members of Collins Lodge. The Lodge received many gifts at this time, from members and relatives of deceased members.
The years 1930 to 1940 were trying years. The Lodge funds were depleted and membership dropped due to the economic condition of the country. Many were suspended for non-payment of dues. This period saw a decrease in membership from 772 to 590, a net loss of 182.
Membership decreases continued in the early 1940’s, but more members were paying dues and by 1945 when the Lodge celebrated its 75th year things had stabilized. Beginning with the year 1946 the Lodge has had a healthy increase in membership and a financial recovery that saw the burning of the mortgage on the Temple, December 27, 1948.
The decade of the 1950’s continued leveling off with a stable membership and sound financial status.
The highlight of this period was the laying of the cornerstone of the County Court House by Grand Master, Most Worshipful Brother Charles A. Mantz, a former member of Collins Lodge, assisted by other Grand Lodge officers, in September, 1955.
On May 15, 1959, a petition for the degrees was received from J. L. Dickey, a great grandson of Henry Clay Peterson, the first Worshipful Master and one of the founders of Collins Lodge No. 19. Thus into the fourth generation the Collins Lodge continues to encompass its members in the precepts of Masonry.
