PAGOSA SPRINGS, COLORADO
Early in 1902 a group of 23 Masons in the Pagosa Springs area and Archuleta County holding membership in Iowa and Nebraska applied to the Grand Lodge of Colorado for a Charter, which was granted September 17, 1902, with Brother George D. Kennedy as Worshipful Master.
Due to fire in May, 1943, which destroyed the Lodge meeting place, charter, and all the records, not many facts of historical importance are available.
After the lodge was again established in the Odd Fellows Hall, the Odd Fellows Hall was destroyed by fire which left the Lodge so heavily in debt that consideration was given to complete abandonment. At a meeting in the basement of the Methodist Church in 1946 members considered surrendering their charter which they saved from the second fire. It is interesting to note that this Lodge was Under Dispensation twice, in 1902 and 1943. Thus the charter mentioned is the second charter.
Since they were not permitted to confer Degree work in the basement room where they were located, should they consider quitting and surrender their charter or where could they work? Their Treasury consisted of $32.20 in Cash.
Brother David Hersch donated a lot 50 feet by 150 feet valued at $500.00. Many brothers agreed to donate labor and the use of trucks for hauling. Brother George A. Alley was made Chairman of a Building Committee to serve with Brothers Al. Thompson, Leslie Halverson, and W. A. Olsen.
Ground breaking ceremonies were held in March, 1949, for a New Masonic Temple. Starting with $32.20 on hand, the brethren worked every day, including Sundays and holidays, at night and all the possible time they could spare. They depended on donations and collected only $1600.00 out of $2200.00 which had been pledged. Brother Alley said: “Let’s go ahead. Let’s not quit and meet defeat as this is too great and good a cause and we must not give up.” Since Brother Alley was running a Building Materials business it was decided not to hire any outside labor to work on the building and not to buy any material from anyone in Pagosa Springs-no one shall know what anyone else donated. The building has been built by donations from the entire San Juan Basin and from brethren throughout the state. With the money donated and liberal discounts allowed on purchases, today they have a building 36 feet by 5O feet, the basement of stone and the remainder of cement block. It is estimated the value of the building is near $30,000.00 when completed.
The Lodge, November 30, 1960, had 80 members.
