ROCKY FORD, COLORADO
On February 21, 1889 less than 2 years after the sale of town lots in Rocky Ford, St. Johns Lodge was opened U. D. Wm. Clark, W. M., A. F. Thompson, Sr. W., Dr. Elias W. Kearby, Jr. W., Dr. Levi Huber, Sec., Adam C. Comer, Treas., Lafayette Bradley, Sr. D., Emery Robb, Jr. D., Wm. H. Clark, Tiler, Milton Badger, Chaplain.
One of the decisions made at the first meeting was to hold meetings on the 1st and 3rd Thursday night of each month. These dates have been retained during the 71 years of the Lodge life.
On Sept. 18, 1889 a charter was granted by the Grand Lodge and a special meeting was called on Sept. 30, 1889 to dedicate and install the officers of St. Johns Lodge No. 75.
In 1898 a fire destroyed all the lodge property except the desk and records. In 1902 St. Johns Lodge erected its present Masonic Hall.
One of the distinctive features of St. Johns Lodge is its “Old Timers Night” which is held the second meeting night of each December. This was inaugurated in 1913. The plan for this night was that all members who had reached the age of 60, should be entertained by the younger members. If the older members could not be present they were urged to write a letter, to be read before the lodge, advising of anything of interest to their brothers in Masonry, regarding their activities, state of health and the like. This custom has survived and is an annual event. The Master and immediate P. M. take bouquets to widows of members who have died during the year. A turkey dinner is served by the younger members. A transcript of the proceedings is mailed to the non-resident old timers who could not be present. After the letters from the absent brothers are read, each old timer present is called upon for remarks.
One of the great Masonic honors to St. Johns Lodge No.75 has been the election of Past Master Millard E. Ryan to the office of Grand Master of Masons in Colorado. He served in that capacity in 1956.
Membership in November, 1960 210
