CENTRAL CITY, COLORADO
The first meetings of Masons who were later to become members of the Lodge were held in a building, the site of which is now marked by the historical Monument on Gregory Street. These meetings continued for about a year and then a dispensation was granted by Grand Master Armstrong of the Grand Lodge of Nebraska. On October 5, 1861, this dispensation was cancelled and a dispensation was granted by the newly formed Grand Lodge of Colorado Territory. This Lodge was chartered as Chivington Lodge No.6, December 19, 1861 in honor of Grand Master John M. Chivington. March 6, 1862 a Committee was appointed to look into the matter of building a Masonic Hall on top of a contemplated Methodist Church but the matter was filed. A Brother Collier offered the use of the walls of a building he was erecting for a third story, if they would keep a proper roof on the building. Funds were raised and the building completed. The expense on the upkeep of the roof was so great, thought was given to selling the hall and buying the Opera House. Instead the entire building was purchased, the walls reinforced, the roof repaired, a new front added.
Any mention of Central Lodge would not be complete without an account of the beautiful murals on the walls. These were done by a Brother John T. Glendenin and some finished by Brother George W. Brewer. These were completed in 1871 and have not been changed to this date. The absence of sunlight has preserved their original beauty.
Although many lodges have pictures of George Washington, the full length portrait owned by Central Lodge is among the most valuable. It also was painted by Brother Glendenin in 1865 on a damask table cloth.
Among the visitors from all of the 50 United States and the 10 foreign countries who have visited Central Lodge, have been many art critics who have valued these art treasures at fantastic sums.
The early lighting of the hall was by candles, later by coal oil lamps which were replaced by 12 oil lamps in 1875. These lamps are unique in that they have a clock spring to drive a fan which forces air around the wick burner giving a clear white flame. In 1889 these were replaced by electric lights.
The furnishings and the equipment of Central Lodge will interest any Mason.
The first Masonic Temple in the Territory was a log house about thirty feet square with an ante-room about 12 feet square on the west side near the northwest corner. The proposal to erect a monument on the site of the first Masonic Temple was initiated by W. Bro. Rae L. Laird of Central Lodge No.6, who told the Grand Lodge on September 18, 1929: “We have located the exact spot.” The committee, named to investigate, consisted of a member each from Central No.6, Golden City No.1, Nevada No.4, and Black Hawk No. 11.
Membership, November 30, 1960 103
