B.P.O.E. #1487 - Susanville, CA - Elks Lodges on Waymarking.com

*Elks Lodge *(Susanville) No doubt, the most photographed landmark in Lassen County. On March 22,1884, J.G. Leonard purchased this vacant lot from Sarah Hosselkus for $450. Leonard, a dentist, originally studied to become an architect, and designed this unique structure. All the rooms, with the exception of the kitchen/dining area, were octagonal in shape. In November 1884, Leonard hired Charles Odette to construct it. In February 1885, Leonard moved into the house, though it was not finished. Susanville, a small town, was not large enough to support a full time dentist. That prompted Leonard to ride the circuit, practicing his profession in the outlying regions of Lassen, with extended trips to Modoc and Plumas Counties. Leonard went bankrupt as the upkeep on his house was expensive and many of his patients paid in trade rather than with cash. In 1890, William Greehn, who Leonard owed $2,800, was awarded the house. It became one of Greehn’s many rentals and Greehn rented this particular property at $15 a month.

On April 11, 1908, Greehn’s Estate sold the home to Joel Henry Swain (1864-1918) for an undisclosed amount. Swain had arrived in Lassen County in 1888 and settled at Dry Valley. When Swain came to Susanville, he switched careers from farmer to saloon- keeper. Swain’s wife, Annie (1876-1945), a staunch Methodist, disapproved of her husband’s new occupation, but did enjoy the finer things of life that the saloon trade provided. In 1918, Swain died, leaving his wife Annie and four children.

In 1921, a group of Susanville businessmen formed the Antlers Club in an early attempt to form a local B.P.O.E. “Elks” Lodge. In 1922, the Antlers Club approached Annie Swain to purchase her residence for their clubhouse. An agreement was reached and she sold it to them for $13,000. In 1924, the Antlers Club received a charter to become Elks Lodge No. 1487. In 1926, the building was remodeled to meet the needs of the club. The first floor was converted into one large room, instead of the existing six rooms. In 1948, the current lodge room was constructed at the rear of the original building.