HUDSON, COLORADO
A group of Masons living in the vicinity of Hudson and Keenesburg met in 1925 to consider the possibility of organizing a Masonic Lodge in that area. After due consideration, plans were made in 1926 to petition the Grand Lodge to grant a dispensation to Hudson for a Lodge. This request was signed by twenty-six Masons.
The Dispensation was granted by Most Worshipful Grand Master Frank G. Mirick, on June 16, 1926 with Brother George A. Twomy as Worshipful Master.
Hudson Lodge U. D. held its first regular meeting on June 21, 1926 at which time three petitions for the degrees were received.
On October 20, 1926, Hudson Lodge No. 168 received its charter and was duly constituted by Most Worshipful Grand Master Frank J. Reinhard with Brother George A. Twomy as Worshipful Master.
The first meetings of the Lodge U. D. were held on the third floor of the Hudson School. In 1953 it became necessary to give up the quarters in the School Building. Subsequent meetings were held in Lupton Lodge No. 119 Hall and also in Brighton Lodge No. 78. Later in 1953 the V. E. Grange Hall became available and after some remodeling, the Lodge held its first meeting here on December 2, 1953. This move was to be only temporary and after several votes were taken it was finally decided in January, 1959 to move the lodge to Keenesburg, where the old Hardware Building was purchased for a Lodge Hall.
On April 15, 1959, the first meeting was held in the new Keenesburg home and on March 16, 1960, the building was dedicated by Most Worshipful Grand Master Carlton Ray.
In 1951 the Lodge celebrated its 25th Anniversary with a banquet in the basement of the Keenesburg M. E. Church.
Due to drouth and hard times in the 1950’s the dues of the brethren were remitted for two years.
There have been a total of 190 applications for membership since the beginning of the Lodge to August 30, 1960.
The records of the Grand Lodge as of November 30, 1960 give the membership of Hudson Lodge No. 168 as 79.
