Including James R. Killian, the 1903 Grand Master and Oliver A. Whittemare, Past Deputy Grand Master and First Grand Secretary.)
Back row: Horace T. Delong, 1898; Alphonse A. Burnand, 1899: John M. Max. well, 1891; William D. Wright, 1892; James R. Killian, 1903; George D. Kennedy, 1901; Andrew Sagendorf, 1883: William D. Pierce, 1895; Ernest leNeve Foster, 1890; Cromwell Tucker, 1897.
Middle row: George W. Rose, 1896; Oliver A. Whittemore, 1861-65-67; lawrence N. Greenleaf, 1880; Chase Withrow, 1866; Henry M. Teller, 1861, 1867-72; Archibald J. Van Deren, 1864; Harper M. Orahood, 1876: Cornelius J. Hart, 1877; Frank Church, 1882.
Bottom row: George K. Kimball, 1887; Joseph M. Milsom, 1900; William D. Todd, 1888; James H. Peabody, 1884; William T. Bridwell, 1890; Marshall H. Dean, 1902.
Inserts: Jethro C. Sanford, 1893; Albert H. Branch, 1886; William l. Bush, 1894.
LAWRENCE N. GREENLEAF
The Grand Master of 1880) Lawrence N. Greenleaf of Denver, No.5 was the founder of the “Square and Compass” magazine and was hailed as the poet laureate of Freemasonry. His most famous work was “The Lodge Room Over Simpkins Store” which has appeared in every copy of the Colorado Craftsman. It was the inspiration for the re-creation and furnishing of “Friendship Lodge” in the reconstructed pioneer South Park City adjacent to Fairplay, Colo.
Greenleaf was respected throughout the Masonic world for his illuminating correspondence reports, the first of which appeared in 1870, the last in 1917. He was a close friend of Albert G. Mackey, Albert Pike, Robert Freke Gould, Henry M. Teller, Henry P. H. Bromwell and was in touch with all the great Masonic thinkers of his time.
WILLIAM D. TODD
William David Todd, Grand Master in 1888, came to Denver in 1868 as confidential secretary to Schuyler Colfax, Territorial Governor. He was elected to the state legislature in 1879 and because he was an accomplished parliamentarian he was often asked to preside in the Legislative hall. He introduced the bill for the creation of the State Historical and Natural History Society and was its treasurer for over thirty years. He belonged to Union Lodge No.7.
JETHRO C. SANFORD
Jethro c. Sanford of Durango, No. 46, Grand Master in 1893 attended fifty-five of the fifty-seven annual communications between 1883 and 1939. After moving to California, he made nineteen special trips to meet with his brethren. He knew personally each of the first seventy-five Grand Masters of Colorado with the exception of Chivington.
Sanford headed all four of the Grand Lodge York Rite bodies in the state: Grand Lodge, Grand Chapter, Grand Council, and Grand Commandery.
L D CRAIN
The spacious Temple at Fort Collins is a monument to L D Crain, Grand Master in 1917 and Secretary of the Fort Collins bodies from 1912 through 1941. The principal Lodge room has the greatest seating capacity of any Symbolic hall in the state – 550 persons. Crain gave distinctive service as chairman of the Washington National Memorial and Masonic Soldiers and Sailors WeIfare Fund and as a trustee of the Benevolent Fund.
HAZLETT P. BURKE
Hazlett P. Burke of Sterling, No. 54, Grand Master, 1920-21, was honored by Sertoma International as Colorado’s leading citizen in 1954. For over 30 years a member of the Grand Lodge Jurisprudence Committee he told the 90th Annual Communication that of all the honors he had received in many fields, he wanted to be remembered as the author of Colorado’s current “Book of Constitutions.” Sovereign Grand Inspector General of the Scottish Rite in Colorado from 1941 to 1957, at the time of his death he was Venerable Lieutenant Grand Commander of the Supreme Council Thirty-Third Degree, of the Southern Jurisdiction, U.S.A.
DR. HARRY L. BAUM
A man of varied accomplishments was Dr. Harry L. Baum, Grand Master in 1937. In Masonry he was particularly distinguished for his authorship and production of several Masonic dramas, for his astute comments as head of the correspondence committee of the Grand Lodge, and for his proficiency in the ritualism of the Red Cross of Constantine.
“The Lion’s Paw” was an historical Masonic play performed during the Seventy-Fifth Anniversary Celebration of the Grand Lodge and at five other Annual Communications. It was presented many times in Colorado and the larger cities of thc country.
Another popular favorite was “An 18th Century Lodge.” “John Brent,” a Masonic play of the Revolution, emphasized the connection of George Washington with the fraternity, and “Brother Service”, the immortal Washington at Valley Forge. “Vigilante” was a Masonic play of the great western frontier.
He was Worshipful Master of Emulation Lodge U.D. and at chartering.
GROVER C. OLINGER
Grover C. Olinger of Park Hill, No. 148, Grand Master in 1946, was noted for his kindness and benefactions, his assistance to youth organizations, his abilities as a ritualist.
M. W. Bro. Olinger offered his time, his home, his automobile for the service of many Brethren so they could enjoy Masonic gatherings and fellowship.
He devoted his intelligence, his energy, and his money to the Order of DeMolay for Boys and to the Highlander Boys.
He organized the Thespians, the ritualistic divan of El Jebel Shrine Temple, and thrilled thousands as its Orator and Ceremonial Potentate. Over the years he exemplified many of the important ritualistic parts of the Scottish Rite degrees.
LIVING GRAND MASTERS
CASPER S. DESCH
Because of the Depression, the Grand Lodge in 1932 authorized Grand Master Casper S. Desch to transfer as much as $5,000 from the General Fund to the Benevolent Fund for the relief of needy brethren.
It being the year of the George Washington Bi-Centennial Celebration, the Grand Master read a letter from the Grand Secretary of Virginia giving credit to the Grand Lodge of Colorado for originating the Washington Centennial observance in 1899, out of which came the development of the plan to build the Washington Masonic Memorial on Shooters Hill in Alexandria, Va. He belonged to Mesa, No. 55. (M.W. Bro, Desch passed away August 12, 1961, while this volume was in production.)
WILLIAM R. “POP” ARTHUR
William R. Arthur of Columbia, No. 14, Boulder, Grand Master in 1936, traveled 36,000 miles by auto to visit all of the 147 Lodges of that time. A student of history and all facets of Masonry, he founded the William R. Arthur Museum and Library in the Boulder Masonic Temple. Over 250 Masons gathered to honor him two decades later on a “Pop” Arthur night.
T. HARVEY COX
A joint communication of sixteen Western Colorado Lodges was held in 1939 to honor Grand Master T. Harvey Cox, a Western Slope resident of Olathe, No. 157.
The Educational Masonic Association in Northwestern Colorado was formed during the year by six Lodges on the Moffat railroad. Grand Lecturer Charles L. Young who attended the year’s last meeting with the Grand Master, exulted:
“The meeting closed at one hour past low twelve, and some of the members who had come from nearly 200 miles distant, did not reach home until after sunrise. Frequently a lament is heard that the ‘gold ojd days’ when Masons came on horses and in wagons to their communications, and returned to their homes just in time to start their morning chores, are a thing of the past. They are not; the only change being that the Brethren can now travel farther.”
FRANCIS J. KNAUSS
All but three of the 147 constituent Lodges in 1941 were visited by Grand Master Francis J. Knauss, a member of Temple, No. 84, Denver.
Three visits were in connection with Fifty-Year anniversaries: at his own Lodge, Temple at Brighton, No. 78; and Carbondale, No. 82.
But the crowning celebration was the combined communication No.4, and Central, No.6, both eighty years old, and Black Hawk, seventy-five years old.
Representatives from sixty-three Colorado Lodges and members of the craft from seventeen other states and two foreign countries made up the large attendance at the gathering. . . in the historic cradle of Masonry in Colorado.
M.W. Bro. Knauss also dedicated the monument to mark the site of the Lodge Hall at Summit Lodge No.2.
GEORGE C. TWOMBLY
Masonic service to our Brethren in the Armed Forces was the principal discussion at the Grand Session in 1943. M. W. Bro. George C. Twombly of Oasis, No. 67 requested a voluntary contribution of one dollar per member to be collected by the constituent Lodges and forwarded to a fund for service to our military Brethren. Occidental, No. 20 was the first one hundred percent contributor.
After Grand Lodge discussion it was decided that the funds should not be used for purely entertainment purposes. Its dispersal to meet need and want was entrusted to the Trustees of the Colorado Masons Benevolent Fund.
FRANK D. ALLEN
Following his visit to Breckenridge, No. 47 in 1946 Grand Master Frank D. Allen furnished a bronze plaque to adorn a stone monument marking the cemetery near Parkville, site of Summit, No.2.
The Lodge records of 1862 show a Mrs. Dillon was allowed $1.50 for making a shroud for a Bro. Green, who was buried in the cemetery.
While M.W. Bro. Allen presided, Arthur Ponsford, Chairman of the Trustees of the Benevolent Fund, was elected a Permanent Member of the Grand Lodge in appreciation of his service.
M.W. Bro. Allen’s mother Lodge is Akron, No. 74.
S. STUART KREBS
S. Stuart Krebs of Montrose, No. 63 presided over two Grand Communications. The first was in 1948 following the death of Grand Master John R. Swinton. The second was in 1949 at the close of his own term as head of Colorado Masons.
The latter year he started a custom of making an official visit and being officially received in the Scottish Rite.
The current system of District Lecturers was put into operation during 1949.
EDWIN J. WHITTELSHOFER
The 1950 term of M. Wor. Bro. Edwin J. Wittelshofer was one of building.
He announced the completion of new Lodge structures in the nine communities with “more in contemplation.”
In appreciation of their first year of excellent service, he invited the 23 District Lecturers to be guests at the annual communication.
M.W. Bro. Whittelshofer is a Past Master of Columbine, No. 147.
C. WHEELER BARNES
C. Wheeler Barnes of Berkeley, No. 134 served the longest single term of any Grand Master, the sixteen months from September, 1950 to January, 1952 because of a change in the Grand Lodge year. He visited each one of the 150 chartered Lodges, made at least one trip to each of five Lodges Under Dispensation, visited 260 Lodges and other Masonic groups in Colorado and addressed a total of 315 Lodges and Masonic groups. He traveled over 45,000 miles.
Due to the change of the Grand Lodge year, no Grand Lodge communication was scheduled during the terms of the Constituent Lodge Masters of 1951 so M.W. Bro. Barnes had them as special guests at a 90th Anniversary celebration August 4th. This was held in the new hall of Golden City Lodge No.1 with the Chivington Chair and other relics of the pioneers removed from their display cases and used for the anniversary ceremonies.
Possessed of a marvelous memory for names, faces, and events, “Barney” since starting through the Grand Lodge line has been called upon to be master of ceremonies at thousands of meetings.
M.W. Bro. Barnes bccame the first Master of The Research Lodge of Colorado when it was approved by the Grand Lodge in 1953.
Presently as an active member of the Supreme Council, Thirty-Third Degree of the Southern Jurisdiction, U.S.A. of the Scottish Rite he is Sovereign Grand Inspector General for CoJorado.
OLIN P. LEE
One of the most scholarly Grand Masters was Olin P. Lee of Tejon, No. 104 who filled the post in 1952. It is fltting that two events of an educational nature should have been started during his term-the formation of The Research Lodge of Colorado and the Rocky Mountain Masonic conference. The latter group is composed of the Grand Lodge officers and education committee chairmen of Colorado, Wyoming, Montana, Utah and Idaho. Thus are brought together, to stimulate Masonic study and development, the parent Rocky Mountain grand lodge, Colorado, and the others to whom it furnished early authority and leadership.
HUBERT GLOVER
Hubert Glover of Silver State, No. 95 personified W. Bro. Amos Andrews, Master of Doric Lodge, in all but one of 74 performances of the famous Carl H. Claudy play, “The Rose Upon the Altar,” presented by Pueblo Council No.6.
The most notable performance was during the Grand Communication in 1953 when M.W. Bro. Glover was Grand Master and M.W. Bro. Claudy was in attendance. The author heaped lavish praise upon the cast.
In behalf of Harry S. Truman, then President of the United States and formerly Grand Master of Missouri, M.W. Bro. Claudy presented a stone bearing a Masonic mark from the original White House to the Grand Lodge. The letter accompanying it was framed in wood taken from the White House during its remodeling and was marked with a brass plate attesting to that fact.
CHARLES A. MANTZ
Undoubtedly the greatest world-traveler of all Colorado Grand Masters is the erudite Charles Armstrong Mantz of Emulation, No. 154.
During his term in 1955 he was invited to speak on behalf of the Grand Masters of North America and Anglo-Saxon Masonry at the festival dedication of the Grand National Masonic Temple in Havana. His efforts to help several of the Grand Lodges of Mexico have won him wide personal acclaim.
As Grand Master he attended the Grand Sessions of Kansas, Louisiana, Cuba, New Mexico, Nebraska, Iowa, Montana, Wyoming, Missouri, lllinois, and California.
He was responsible for the remodeling of the Grand Lodge quarters to provide an office for the Grand Master which had been lacking for 95 years. He contributed an oil painting of the San Juan mountains to decorate the new office.
Mantz is the grandson of Andrew Armstrong, Grand Chaplain for many years before the turn of the century.
He made the original recommendation for a small annual per capita assessment to meet the expenses of the 1961 Centennial of the Grand Lodge.
MILLARD E. RYAN
To afford officers of Constituent Lodges opportunity to express opinions or ask questions about Masonic policies, M. W. Bro. Millard E. Ryan of St. Johns, No. 75, Rocky Ford, devoted an evening at Grand Lodge in 1957 for such purposes.
In rccognition of their services, increased travel allowances for the District Lecturers were approved at this session.
During this communication an assessment of twenty-five cents per member was authorized for the first time to defray expenses of the 1961 Centennial of the Grand Lodge.
The Grand Master ruled that all groups, rather than officers, desiring to confer degrees should first stand examination on their proficiency and that examination not be waived in any instance.
D. AUBREY SPANN
Finding nothing suitable in the” Book of Forms and Ceremonies” for dedication of thc monument on Gold Hill commemorating Rocky Mountain Lodge No.3, M. W. Bro. D. Aubrey Spann in 1956 prepred a ceremony for the occasion.
An extra touch came when he, a cattleman from Gunnison Lodge No. 39, chiseled his “mark” or cattle brand on the reverse side of the monument.
At the Grand Session he reported : “Your Grand Master had an experience never before coming to a Grand Master in Colorado in that it was my duty to meet with my own Lodge today the corner-stone and then later to dedicate our new Temple for Gunnison Lodge No. 39.”
The importance of DeMolay, Rainbow Girls, and other youth groups was stressed in his address.
THE VAN FLEETS
Outstanding service of Father and Son – both Grand Masters – will make the name of Van Fleet a lasting rememurance in Colorado Masonry. Marshasl H. Van FJeet headed the Grand Lodge in 1921; his son, Glenn B. Van Fleet, in 1958.
The elder Van Fleet visited all 136 constituent Lodges and thirty-eight and a half pcrcent of the membership turned out to greet him! He passed away in 1934.
The fraternal accomplishments are many and varied. Both received the honorary Thirty-Third in the Scottish Rite. The father headed all four of the Grand York Rite bodies. The son is currently Grand High Priest of Royal Arch Masons of Colorado and Intendant General of the Red Cross of Constantine for the state, and a member of the Royal Order of Scotland.
The younger Van Fleet has given distinctive service to the Washington National Memorial and to Public Schools Week. His is a true Masonic family as he married the daughter of R. W. Bro. W. W. Cooper, Past Grand Lecturer-Secretary.
CLIFFORD J. GOBBLE
M. W. Bro. Clifford J. Gobble of Brighton, No. 78 had the pleasure in 1959 of dedicating “The Lodge Room over Simpkins Store”, as a memorial to its author, Lawrence N. Greenleaf, Past Grand Master, Past Master of Denver, No.5, and the Poet Laureate of Masonry late in the nineteenth century.
This restoration is part of the historical project known adjacent to Fairplay, Colorado, a project of the South Park as “South Park City” Historical Association,largely sponsored by our present Grand Master Leon H. Snyder. Grand Secretary Harry W. Bundy suggested that the lodgeroom be included in the historical reproduction of this pioneer gold mining town. The lodgeroom and many other authentic buildings are now open to the public.
Over twenty lodges participated by presenting carly day Masonic relics and equipment to furnish the Lodge Room. An authentic copy of the Chivington Chairthe chair the first Grand Master occupied at the first annual Grand Communication – is there. A homemade, unique tiler’s sword, original equipment of one Lodge, was donated, as well as many early day treasures.
CARLTON M. RAY
As M. W. Bro. Carlton M. Ray presided over the One Hundredth Communication, three important decisions were made. The Memorial Lodge was established to confer Masonic burial, a special committee on Public Relations was authorized, and application procedures for initiation were amended so that only one of those recommending the applicant need be a member of the Lodge receiving the petition. The other signer may be a member of that or any other regular Lodge.
Four Lodges were constituted and one instituted during his term.
The Grand Lodge gave endorsement to the move to investigate a “Masonic Manor” to provide pleasant housing for Masons and their families under the United States Housing Act of 1959. The Grand Lodge would assume no financial responsibility in such a project.
M. W. Bro. Ray is a Past Master of Oriental Lodge No. 87.
COLORADO’S GRAND SECRETARIES
The Grand Lodge has had just seven Grand Secretaries in one hundred years. Oliver A. Whittemore of Summit, No.2 was the first, from 1861 through 1865. He became a charter member of Union, No.7 and its first Secretary. After serving the Lodge as Master in 1866 he was Deputy Grand Master of Colorado in 1867.
Edward C. Parmalee of Chivington, No.6 (later Central, No.6), second Grand Secretary, was among the first arrivals in the early settlement of the Clear Creek valley. In 1864 he was Engrossing Clerk in the Upper House of the Territorial Legislature and in 1867 became Secretary of the Upper House. In 1872 he was elected a member of that body.
He was first elected Grand Lodge Sccretary in 1866 and annually thereafter for thirty-four years. He served in a similar capacity for the Grand Chapter of Royal Arch Masons for its first twenty-six years and as Recorder of the Grand Commandery for its first twenty-five years.
William D. Todd of Union, No.7, Grand Master in 1888, was Grand Secretary from 1901 through 1903.
He was succeeded by Charles F. Jacobson of Albert Pike, No. 117, who had been the first Senior Warden of Washington Lodge No. 12 at Georgetown. Jacobson was one of the most gifted orators of the first century of Colorado Masonry. Upon his death in 1920 the Jacobson Educational Fund was established in his name. lts principal source of revenue has been from the sale of his book “Gavel Strokes.”
W. W. Cooper, who had been Grand Lecturer since 1910, became Grand Secretary in 1921. Of him it was said: “He never removed his Masonic apron. . . . In his mind and in his practice of the ideals and tenets of Freemasonry, his apron was always girded about his loins.”
R. W. Bro. Cooper’s death was probably the most dramatic in Colorado Masonic history. Called to preside in the Second section of the Third degree on Past Masters night in 1935 in his home Lodge, Pueblo No. 17, he conducted the work in his customary effective manner, offered the prayer and addressed the Senior Warden, closing with the words “never fails.” At that point the “word from the darkness” came to him. Slowly he sank to the floor and his voice was stilled forever.
He was the author of “The Plan, A Brief Outline of Masonry.”
Charles A. Patton of Sterling, No. 54, Grand Master in 1934, then served until 1943 when the present Secretary, Harry W. Bundy of Denver Lodge No.5, was drafted from the Grand Lodge appointee line to these important responsibilities. Bro. Bundy has served with such distinction that he was unanimously elected Honorary Grand Master in 1951. He is a foremost authority on Grand Lodge recognition and Masonic jurisprudence and has been honored with national offices in several of the organizations appendant to Freemasonry. Particularly is he noted for his long-time service to the Order of DeMolay for Boys.
SOVEREIGN GRAND INSPECTORS GENERAL OF THE SCOTTISH RITE
Five distinguished Masons have been Sovereign Grand Inspectors General for Colorado in the eighty-two years of the Southern Jurisdiction of the Scottish Rite in the state.
The first of these active Thirty-third degree members was Henry M. Teller, seven times Grand Master, Governor, Senator, and Secretary of the Interior. He served for 32 years and attended all sessions of the Supreme Council from 1886 to 1911 except four. He rose to be Grand Prior.
Alva Adams, three times Governor of Colorado, was next and served from 1917 to 1922.
Stanley Warner, next SGIG, was one of the few men to be elected a Permanent Member of the Grand Lodge without serving either as Grand Master or Deputy Grand Master. For twenty-two years he was head of the Grand Lodge Foreign Correspondence committee. He was also on the Finance and Appeals and Grievances committees.
His successor was M. W. Bro. Hazlett P. Burke, for over four decades a powerful figure in Colorado Masonry. As head of the important Jurisprudence committee, his consent was needed before any proposal could achieve success. He rose to be Venerable Lieutenant Grand Commander of the Supreme Council.
The affable C. Wheeler Barnes, Past Grand Master, was elected as an active member of Supreme Council in October, 1959. As its youngest member he will at the Supreme Session in October, 1961, deliver the traditional eulogy to Albert Pike.
GRAND LECTURER’S OFFICE
The extent of the responsibilities of the Grand Lecturer and District Lecturers are indicated by the 1961 report of R. W. Bro. Albert E. Jameson, Grand Lecturer.
Brother “Al” traveled 21,107 miles to make 153 visitations within the state:
To Chartered Lodges – 97
To Masonic Clubs contemplating formation of new Lodges – 16
To Lodges Under Dispensation – 10
To Grand Lodge Functions – 6
To Schools of Instruction – 24
He attcnded thirty-four other meetings of recognizcd Masonic bodies and youth groups, the Grand Lodge of Oregon whcre he was designated official representative by M. W. Bro. Carlton M. Ray, the Grand Lodge of New Mexico, and the Rocky Mountain Masonic Conference in Casper, Wyoming.
In making 356 visitations to 137 separate Lodges the thirty-seven District Lecturers traveled 10,553 miles. They submitted reports of Lodge offIcer proficiency and in general the condition of the Lodges.
Information was gathered on Lodge attendance, funeral attendance, waivers of jurisdiction, and many other matters of interest.
As chairman of the Custodians of the Work, the Grand Lecturer reported that the 1958 Grand Lodge recommendation to Masters, suggesting that they should-at the proper time-read aloud a certain admonition regarding the need for dignity and impressiveness, is being generally used and well-received.
GRAND LECTURERS
With members hailing from many and scattered jurisdictions and travel between lodges slow and difficult, there were many variations in early Colorado ritual.
An early trial of District Lecturers did not succeed due to the time and expense required for travel in pioneer days.
The Grand Lecturer’s office was filled by year-to-year appointment, principally of Past Grand Masters, until about the end of the century. Then Ernest LeNeve Foster, Past Grand Master and outstanding Masonic worker, undertook its duties for several years in succession.
In 1909, William W. Cooper of Pueblo, No. 17, probably Colorado’s most thorough student of the ritual, assumed the responsibilities of Grand Lecturer. Under his direction, the wording was purified by Grand Lodge action in 1911.
When R. W. Bro. Cooper became Grand Secretary in 1921 he was succeeded by Charles L. Young of Durango, No. 46 who endeared himself to Colorado Masons during 29 years of devoted service.
The current successful system of District Lecturers, authorized, in 1949, was developed during the 1950-56 term of Giles N. Alkire, Occidental, No. 20, and the term of incumbent, Albert E. Jameson, La Veta, No. 59.
OUR MUSEUM CURATOR
W. Bro. George B. Clark of Pueblo, No. 17, curator of the Grand Lodge Museum in the Masonic Temple at 1614 Welton Street, Denver, has been a member of the Grand Lodge History committee since 1920. His voluminous collections of research material gathered since that time have never been published due to limitations of Grand Lodge funds. Bro. Clark’s abilities were recognized in the proceedings of 1954 by M. W. Bro. Harry W. Bundy, Grand Secretary and Grand Librarian:
“The one who does the work of the office (Librarian) is War. Bro. George B. Clark whose tireless energy has gained recognition throughout the Masonic world. He serves without remuneration, at his own request, and to the benefit and profit of all Grand Lodge officers and members of the Craft from the Grand Master of Masons to the youngest Entered Apprentice. A difficult problem, a forgotten ruling, a statistical record or the historical significance of Masonic artifacts, all are the sources of challenging work, and Brother Clark has yet to be deprived of his ultimate success in securing the necessary information all of which is to the benefit and furthering of Freemasonry.”
W. Bro. Clark in his own words “knelt at the knee of Cornelius J. Hart, tenth Grand Master,” receiving not only Masonic inspiration from him but also authentic knowledge of early Colorado Masonry.
Known locally as author of “Our Masonic Heritage,” W. Bro. Clark achieved national stature for his “Genealogy of the Masonic Grand Lodges of the United States,” a chart distributed by the Masonic Service Association of the United States.
He has recently compiled “Decisions by Grand Masters, Deputy Grand Masters, and by the Grand Lodge” from 1874 to the present.
Many Lodges had two early projects, to obtain proper Masonic meeting halls and places to bury their dead. In the case of the Denver Masonic bodies, the cemetery helped to obtain the hall!
In 1866 a 40-acre tract was purchased for a cemetery “on the slopes of the hill on the west side of the Platte river for the sum of $1200.” This land, Acacia Cemetery, roughly bounded by West 29th, Zuni, West 32nd, and Tejon, was to be held and owned jointly by the various Masonic bodies.
Because of increasing property values, the remains interred therein were moved to an old cemetery now embraced in Cheesman Park. The Acacia property was then sub-divided and sold as lots. Money from these sales constituted the major part of the holdings that eventually made possible the present Masonic Temple at Sixteenth and Welton streets.
When Cheesman park was developed, the remains were again moved and interred in Riverside or Fairmount Cemeteries. Thus, many of the early Masons were buried three times.
