History of Vesper Lodge No. 84

1855

A dispensation to open and hold meetings for a new Lodge at Red Bluff, Shasta County, to be known as Vesper Lodge was granted by the Grand Lodge of the State of California on May 13, 1855. J. Granville Doll was named as the acting Master. The first meeting was held May 23, in the upper part of a two story frame building on the NW corner of block 12, which is the SE corner of Main and Pine Streets.

1856

A charter was granted by the Grand Lodge May 13, 1856 and J. Granville Doll was elected Master.

1860

The funeral of Dennis Dunn, PM was the first Masonic Funeral in Red Bluff and the first interment in Oak Hill Cemetery. The first cemetery was located where the Veteran's building now stands. Vesper Lodge No. 84, F. & A. M. and Red Bluff Lodge No. 76, International Order of Odd Fellows together bought the ground, surveyed the streets and lots and transferred the bodies from the former cemetery to the new Oak Hill Cemetery. These Lodges owned and operated Oak Hill Cemetery until 1927 when it was turned over to Tehama County with an agreement that one Odd Fellow and one Mason would always be kept on the cemetery board of trustees.

1862

The Lodge moved its meeting place to Reiser's Hall where the Catholic Convent now stands.

1871

The Lodge bought the SW corner of Main and Oak streets with a two story building on it for $3,500. The upper floor was used for the Lodge Meeting Hall.

1881

The old building was torn down and a new 3 story building started.

1882

The new building was finished and on April 24 was dedicated with Grand Officers present. $15,000 had been borrowed at 9% interest. On the night of August 16, a fire started in the north part of block 25 in Stock's Cigar store. A strong wind was blowing and the fire quickly spread to the south, burning the Luna House, Edward's saloon, Walbridge's fruit store, Bahney's drug store, Fickert's furniture store, Bank of Tehama County, Lang's saloon and the Loomis building. The Loomis building being just north of and directly across the street from the Masonic Hass, the fire jumped Oak Street and the Masonic Hall was also burned. It was a total loss, nothing was saved except the Bible. The building was under-insured and the Lodge was left with a large debt at 9% interest. The lodge met in the Odd Fellows Hall for the rest of the year.

1883

The lodge met in the Clements building, later know as the Brown building. They continued to hold meetings there until December 1924, when it also burned down. This year was the beginning of the "Hillhouse Case", one famous Masonic juriprudence. John C. Hillhouse had received the Entered Apprentice Degree, but before receiving the Fellowcraft Degree had the misforture of losing most of his right hand in an accident. It took the Grand Lodge two years to decide that Brother Hillhouse could receive the other degrees.

1903

The first telephone was installed in the Lodge.

1904

The first electric lights were put in the Lodge.

1909

Masonic Hall was remodeled and the Lesser Lights wired for electricity. Until this time, these lights had been tallow candles.

1911

All new furniture was purchased for the Hall.

1913

Stated meetings were changed from Thursday on or before the full moon to the first Wednesday in each month. This had been so farmers would have enough moonlight to drive their horse drawn carriage to attend meetings.

1921

Brother Albert B. Charles died, leaving the Lodge the sum of $5,000.

1922

The Lodge bought the Brown building on the SE corner of Main and Oak Streets, which they had occupied since 1883. The cost was $9,500.

1924

On the morning of December 21, about 4:00am, fire broke out in the Masonic Lodge. Everything in the upper part of the building was destroyed.

1925

Again, meetings were held in the Odd Fellow's and Elk's Halls. About the first of February, the Opera House Hall was rented. Architect WH Weeks of San Francisco was employed to inspect the walls of the burned Masonic Hall and report if they were safe to use for another building. His report was "No" and the bill was $200. The lots were leased to the Associated Oil Company for 10 years and $150 per month. On August first, fire again burned the Lodge Hall. And again they had to meet in the Odd Fellow's Hall until quarters were obtained in the Walton Hall on the SW corner of Walnut and Madison Streets. In November, the Lodge bought the present property from WA Armstrong for $6,700. Later, five feet were bought from John G. Miller for $600.

1926

Loaned the Opera House Company $2,000 at 7% interest to repair the Opera House Hall, and then leased the Hall for $50 per month.

1927

Brother Dr. Hamilton Stilson gave the Lodge the picture of Mt. Shasta formerly owned by Brother GW Westlake. Brother Ancil L. Brown died, leaving the Lodge $1,000. Brothers GB Wilcox and HC Swain, on their return from a trip around the world, presented the Lodge with a gavel made from stone taken from the quarries near King Solomon's Temple.

1928

GA Hutaff, DGM, met with Vesper Lodge to lay the corner stone of the new Post Office building. That same evening, he installed the Officers of Vesper, Molino and Olivet Lodges.

1931

A building committee was appointed to look into the matter of building a new Masonic Lodge. They later reported that PG & E would rent a portion of the lowere floor for $165 per month.

1932

A new building committee was appointed: Brothers EE Thompson, Fred H. Weeks and Guy Davis. They were able to get an architect and plans for a new Lodge. The building was started and on July 9, Grand Master, Robert B. Gaylord laid the corner stone. A lease was made with PG&E for a part of the lower floor for $165 per month. $20,000 was borrowed from the Bank of America at 6 1/2 % interest. Brother AM McCoy presented the Lodge with the painting "California Alps". Brother Fred H. Weeks, secretary of the building committee, reported that the building had cost $40,363. The building was dedicated the last part of December with Grand Lodge officers present, but the secretary made no record of it.

1933

January 4th, the first stated meeting was held in the new Hall. Brother LL McCoy presented the Lodge with the clock now over the mantle in the club room and Brother Prosper H. Lambert presented the andirons and the wood basket for the fireplace.

1937

Lots at the SE corner of Main and Oak Streets were sold for $16,000 to the State of California and Godfrey Barta. November 13, members and ladies met for dinner and entertainment to celebrate the paying off of the mortgage.

1955

The Centennial year was celebrated with a BBQ dinner and program held at the Tehama County Fairgrounds. It was attended by approximately 1000 brothers, family members and friends.

1961

The first Trestleboards were sent to all members of the Lodge. Previously, meeting notices were sent on penny postcards to members who attended frequently. Also in that year, the first investment committee was appointed. The committee of Leo A. McCoy, Harry Hoffman and James Froome invested Lodge savings of $5,000 in PG&E and Standard Oil of California common stock.

1982

The mezzanine level was completed for our tenant, PG&E, who needed more room and agreed to a ten year lease extension with rental increases to amortize the loan that was obtained from Dean Witter on our stock held by them.

1983

The ceiling was lowered and new lights installed in the dining room and lounge area.

1984

The Chair-Lift was installed on the main stairway. The loan for building the mezzanine was paid off. At the request of Grand Lodge, a Temple Association (now Hall Association) was formed from some members of the existing "Building and Finance Committee". The Finance Committee was replaced by Lodge Financial Trustees in 1998.

1985

At the request of PG&E, a new metal awning, windows and doors were installed at the front of the Lodge building.

1989

The Finance Committee recommended that a Scholarship Fund be started with $20,674 in the investment account. It was estimated that this would generate over $1,600 a year at the current Treasury Bond yield of 8%. The first three members of the Scholarship Fund were Gilbert Blinn, Marvin Locke and Harvey Iness.

1990

The first two scholarships of $800 each were awarded to Miss Tracy Howard and Miss Kim Coyle. The Lodge voted to match contributions to the Scholarship Fund upto $500 per year (later raised to $2,000). In June, the cabinets, appliances and kitchen improvements were completed at a cost of about $25,000.

1992

New air conditioning was installed in the dining room for $12,000.

1993

PG&E terminated their lease. This ended an association of over 60 years that had been beneficial to both Vesper Lodge and PG&E. In the earlier years, many PG&E employees were Masons and members of Vesper Lodge. Notably, GR Milford was a member of Vesper Lodge and head of the Northern Divison of PG&E headquartered in Red Bluff. He became Grand Commander of the Grand Commandery of the State of California.

1996

Carpet and handicap bathroom were installed downstairs.

2000

The long dreamed of elevator along with extensive remodeling downstairs was completed at a cost of approximately $175,000. Grand Lodge dedicated the improvements in 2001

2001

The merger of Mt. Shasta Lodge #281 with Vesper Lodge #84 was finalized in February. Income from the sale of the Mt. Shasta Lodge building was used to start a Vesper-Mt. Shasta Masonic Scholarship Fund. The interest only to be used for scholarships for Anderson area High School Graduates. The newly renovated first floor area was rented to the Tehama County Health Dept. The mezzanine floor was later added to their rental agreement. The Lodge purchased a computer and Child ID Program to be used at the County Fair and other appropriate events. Cost of this project was approximately $3,000. This has proven to be very popular with parents in Tehama County.

2005

Our 150th year found Vesper Lodge in excellent financial condition with a fine updated building and younger members taking interest and Offices. Wednesday, April 6, 2005 was a very historic day for Vesper Lodge. That evening at Stated Meeting, the members voted to make a $50,000 pledge toward the reconstruction of the Cone/Kimball Clock Tower, on the SW corner of Walnut and Main Streets. The Clock Tower is approximately 22 feet at the base and 75 feet high. The Scholarship Funds continue to grow with more and larger scholarships being awarded.