This Friday, October 23, about 90 Masons and their invited guests will sit down to a banquet at the Lodge Hall to commemorate the l00th Anniversary of Doric Lodge #53.
Current Master Stan Morris will be in charge of the program. Special guests attending include the Grand Master of Masons in Montana, Thomas R Jordan of Missoula, Deputy Grand Master Billy Millholin of Forsyth, and Dean Lindahl, Grand Secretary of Helena.
Many neighbors and friends of Doric Lodge will also be in attendance. A dance, which starts at 9 p.m., will be open to the community.
Lodge history
Doric Lodge was chartered on Sept 14. 1898. George M. Hatch was installed as Master at that time Others who served as officers were J.E. Barbour, J.L. DeHart. E.C Hale, W.C Strickland. E.M. Hall. S.S. Perrine and M.L Bryant.
An interesting item found in the minutes was that in 1898 the secretary was instructed to obtain an appropriate seal for the use of the Lodge, and he did submit a bill therefore of $5.80. "This seal represents a bit of our natural scenery, the Natural Bridge on the Boulder River. It has the car of corn growing near the waterfall and on each side of the waterfall are the two pillars of the Doric Order. The whole scene is surrounded by the name of the Lodge - Doric Lodge #53 A.F. and A.M. Big Timber, Montana."
Meetings were held at the Knights of Pythias Hall for a rental of $7.50 per month.
In January of 1916, an agreement with the Ellingson Mercantile Co. was made to build over their new garage building. Brother W E Piper of Billings was to be the contractor. He spoke to the Lodge in March of 1916.
The membership voted to have the hardware in the new hall be of wrought brass, with the square and compass thereon (These items are still in place today ). A total of $14,200 was needed to complete the new hall.
In the Temple minutes of April, 1916 is a note in large letters.
"Temple in course of construction" The following headlines were copied from the March 16, 1916 issue of The Big Timber Pioneer:
"Building boom strikes the city. Ellingson Block includes garage and home for lodges. Doric Lodge will own and control second story building, of Lewistown bricks, and strictly modern."
The lower story was ready for occupancy on June 1, the second story a month later.
From the Big Timber Pioneer, Page 18