BURLINGTON, COLORADO
Pursuant to a recommendation by Wray Lodge No. 71, A. F. & A. M., a petition signed by Frederick K. Brown, Hiram Wilson, George W. Myers, William Parke, David A. Vanderpool, Heman W. Clement, Franklin F. Thomas, Jared Marshall, Jesse E. Barlow, and Lewis C. Green was presented to the Grand Lodge A. F. & A. M. of Colorado for a dispensation to open a lodge under the name of Burlington U.D., to confer Masonic Degrees of Ancient Free and Accepted Masons. William David Todd, Grand Master of Masons in Colorado, did on June 21, 1889 grant a dispensation and appointed Frederick K. Brown, Worshipful Master; Hiram Wilson, Senior Warden, and Franklin F. Thomas, Junior Warden. Said dispensation was to continue in effect until the annual Grand Communication on September 17th next at Denver, Colorado.
The first communication was held on June 22, 1889 at which time David A. Vanderpool was elected Secretary; Heman W. Clement, Treasurer, and the following officers were appointed: George W. Myers, Senior Deacon; Jesse E. Barlow, Junior Deacon; William Parke, Senior Steward; Lewis C. Green, Junior Steward, and Jared Marshall, Tiler. Eleven communications were held while the lodge was under dispensation and charter was granted on September 18, 1889.
The meeting place was in the Hall over the Gillette Drug Store, which was located about 349 – 14th Street. The Hall was rented jointly by the Masonic Lodge and the Knights of Pythias. The heating stove and the lodge furniture were owned jointly by the lodges.
By the election time of December 17, 1892 all of the original charter members had ceased to have any active part in the lodge and most of them had moved away. However, Doctor Cameron A. Gillette had affiliated in 1889 and William M. Long had joined the lodge in 1892. Daniel H. Jones affiliated with the lodge in 1893 and these three were the guiding lights who carried the lodge through its trying period of the early days. Daniel H. Jones was Master six times, Cameron A. Gillette three time and William M. Long twice.
In August of 1893 the Burlington Lodge purchased the two story building at 309 – 14th Street which is now Knapps Plumbing Shop. The second floor was remodeled and the lodge performed lots of work here until 1920.
Elmer C. Baker joined the lodge in 1904 and Henry G. Hoskin in 1905. These two spoke in glowing terms of the abilities of Daniel H. Jones or “Uncle Dan Jones” as he was more familiarly known. Uncle Dan was indeed the father of the lodge and the guiding light during the troubled times of its early days. He was able to take any part in the lodge without preparation or advance notice and in spite of the fact that he lived some 12 miles from town, he rarely missed a meeting. Much credit for the record of the lodge must be given to Elmer C. Baker and Henry G. Hoskin. From 1904 when he was raised until his retirement in 1945 Elmer C. Baker held office almost continuously, having been Master twice and Secretary for 30 years. Likewise Henry G. Hoskin was Master twice and Treasurer for 27 years and held office continuously from December 2, 1905 to December 10, 1945. Truly Burlington Lodge owes a great deal to these men. While there have been many who have contributed generously to the Lodge, those mentioned above have been outstanding.
The Odd Fellows Lodge built a hall in 1920 so the Masonic Lodge moved over there on a rental basis and sold the old hall to Arthur Wilson who published the Burlington Call. This hall is located at 334 – 15th Street in Burlington, Colorado.
Burlington Lodge No. 77 held its fiftieth anniversary observance on November 13, 1939. Several Grand Lodge officers were in attendance and representatives from Cheyenne Wells, Hugo, Limon, Goodland, Wray and Flagler Lodges.
In 1950 Burlington Lodge purchased the former Christian Church at the corner of 14th and Donelan Streets and remodeled it for use as a lodge hall. On the evening of September 1, 1951, Most Worshipful Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Colorado, C. Wheeler Barnes, accompanied by Right Worshipful Giles N. Alkire, Grand Lecturer of Colorado, and other dignitaries of the Grand Lodge dedicated the building in due form. Burlington Lodge is most proud of its hall and feels that it will compare in utility with any comparable halls. The members are happy that it is debt free.
Burlington Lodge is proud of the fact that it has paid over $5000.00 out of its St. Johns Fund for the relief of worthy distressed members.
Lodge growth has been as follows:
| 1889 | 12 |
| 1899 | 20 |
| 1909 | 51 |
| 1919 | 68 |
| 1929 | 159 |
| 1939 | 105 |
| 1949 | 129 |
| 1959 | 142 |
