PALISADE, COLORADO
Early in the year 1907 Brother John D. Reeder of Glenwood Springs Lodge No. 65 assembled a body of about twenty Masons residing in the vicinity of Palisade to organize and petition the Grand Master Arthur E. Jones for a dispensation for a Lodge. The petition was granted by the Grand Master on March 29, 1907. On April 7, 1907 Brother Reeder called a meeting of those who had signed the petition to advise them of the favorable action taken by the Grand Master and appointed E. J. H. North to act as Secretary who read the letter granting the dispensation. The following officers were installed:
John D. Reeder, Worshipful Master J. H. Divine, Senior Deacon John H. Larson, Senior Warden H. G. Hottles, Junior Deacon George W. Thompson, Junior Warden C. Bower, Senior Steward C. E. Scroggins, Treasurer K. H. Cannan, Junior Steward E. J. H. North, Secretary J. E. Varner, Tiler
What is known as the Hugus Hall was rented for Lodge meetings for $60.00 per year. Furniture for temporary use was loaned to the Lodge by Mesa Lodge No. 55 of Grand Junction. Members of Palisade Lodge U. D. made loans to the Lodge which were credited to membership fees. In June, 1914, Mesa Lodge was paid $7.50 for the furniture which it had previously loaned to Palisade Lodge.
On September 14, 1907 a charter for Palisade Lodge No. 125 was granted by the Grand Lodge of Colorado.
On November 25, 1907 a special communication was held at Palisade by authority of Most Worshipful Brother Horace T. De Long as acting Grand Master in place of Grand Master Joseph A. Davis to constitute Palisade Lodge No. 125.
On February 16, 1932 the Bi-Centennial Anniversary of George Washington’s birth was celebrated with Brother Wayne N. Aspinall as principal speaker giving the history of George Washington. Brother Harold C. Crick gave a talk on the George Washington Memorial.
Early in 1951 the Building Committee obtained an option to buy the Presbyterian Church for $5000. On May 15, 1951 the Lodge voted to buy the property and set up the Masonic Temple Association to consummate the deal. Payment was made from Lodge funds and a loan of $3,500.00 was borrowed from the Palisade National Bank which was liquidated on November 24, 1956. The first meeting in the new Temple was July 27, 1951. On November 3, 1951 the Temple was dedicated by Grand Master C. Wheeler Barnes. Brother Barnes was present and took part in the 50th Anniversary celebration in 1957 with Grand Master D. Aubrey Spann as the principal speaker for the occasion. Brother Barnes has been voted an honorary membership in Palisade Lodge No. 125 and its records disclose that Brother Barnes donated the Chandelier over the Altar to the Lodge.
Palisade Lodge had a membership of 129 on November 30, 1960.
