MEEKER, COLORADO
After the incorporation of the town of Meeker a few Masons in the Valley of the White River kept their eyes open for enough material to establish a Lodge of Masons, In April, 1890, Rio Blanco Lodge was duly organized and permitted to work U.D.
An immediate election was held by the eleven local brethren. The first officers installed were Henry Clay Peterson, W.M.; Arthur Moulton, S.W.; :Marcus Coon, J.W.; John Watson, Sec.; James Lyttle, Treas.; George Temple, Sr. D.; Herman Pfeiffer, Jr. D.; Thomas Baker, Sr. S.; Henderson Eddy, Jr., Jr. S.; David Smith, Tiler; Ben Price, Chaplain.
In Sept. 1890, the Grand Lodge issued a charter to thirteen members of Rio Blanco Lodge No. 80. The membership was scattered and it was not always easy to organize a quorum, for the transaction of business, but due to their determination they endured many hardships and came from a great distance to attend lodge. Because of diligent work new members were raised, the lodge prospered and a quorum was easier to organize.
Rio Blanco Lodge met in the Hugus & Co. Building. Friday, March 10, 1911 at 2: 30 A.M., fire broke out in the rear of the building and owing to the hour the building and all of its contents were destroyed. However, only one meeting of Rio Blanco Lodge (March 11) was missed. By the 25th of March a duplicate charter allowed the Lodge to meet in the district court room of the Court House. The Hugus Co. erected a new building with the Lodge and ante-rooms being rearranged. In Dec., 1911, Rio Blanco Lodge No. 80 moved into its “new home” which is occupied until the present time.
Membership, November, 1960 181
