COLORADO SPRINGS, COLORADO
The name El Paso means “pass” in Spanish and it is fitting that the lodge at the foot of the Pass, now Ute Pass, be known by that name.
First meetings of EI Paso Lodge were held in the old El Paso Hotel early in 1866 at Colorado City, now west Colorado Springs. The first meeting U. D. was on October 20, 1866. Eleven charter members were present and a resolution was passed asking the Grand Lodge to grant them a charter. Last meeting Under Dispensation was held on September 28, 1867. Until Mount Moriah Lodge in Canon City was placed Under Dispensation several Brethren would ride horseback from Canon City, fifty-five miles, to attend Lodge. They slept on the Lodge floor and rode home the next day. The charter is dated October 8, 1867 and signed by Chase Withrow, Grand Master, and the Lodge was constituted by Grand Master Henry M. Teller on November 7, 1867.
The Lodge met in many buildings until it moved into the building it now occupies at 9 North Nevada Avenue. The Cornerstone for this building was laid on May 4, 1908 by Most Worshipful Brother Joseph A. Davis, Grand Master. The building was completed the same year and dedicated with a three day celebration November 30th, December 1st & 2nd. The building is one of the most beautiful and interesting Lodges in the Country. The style of architecture is Egyptian and the Architect was Worshipful Brother Charles E. Thomas of Tejon Lodge No. 104.
In 1917 the 50th Anniversary of the Lodge was celebrated and in 1942 the 75th Anniversary. The Temple was dear of all indebtedness in 1926. El Paso Lodge, has sponsored several other Lodges namely: – Mount Moriah, No. 15, Canon City; Pueblo, No. 17, Pueblo; Manitou, No. 68, Manitou Springs; Colorado Springs, No. 76, Colorado Springs; Tejon, No. 104, Colorado Springs and Ramah, No. 165, Ramah.
EI Paso Lodge is one of the larger lodges in Colorado, having almost 1000 members. Past Masters of El Paso Lodge, who served as Grand Masters are Andrew Sagendorf, who dimitted from Denver Lodge No.5; George D. Kennedy and George W. Musser. Most Worshipful Grand Master Leon H. Snyder is serving the Grand Lodge during its Centennial Celebration. He was Worshipful Master of El Paso Lodge, in 1946. Most Worshipful Brother Snyder holds many Masonic Titles, being a 330 Honorary of the Scottish Rite. He has also distinguished himself as County, State and National Committeeman of the Rupublican Party
Other Brothers active in other Masonic Bodies: Worshipful Brother William A. Campbell, Grand High Priest in 1915, Brother James B. Barnes, Grand Commander of the Grand Commandery, 1921-1922; Worshipful Brother Eugene L. Anderson, Grand High Priest, 1958-1959; and many other Brothers who were prominent citizens and active in the affairs of the Lodge, City and State.
