Hillsboro Elks Lodge No 1862 - Hillsboro, OR
Posted by: 
dkestrel
N 45° 31.438 W 122° 54.166
10T E 507592 N 5041163
The Hillsboro Lodge, like so many Lodges throughout the United States, is committed to upholding the principals and supporting the goals of the Order.
Waymark Code: WMQTVV
Location: Oregon, United States
Date Posted: 03/28/2016
Views: 8
In 1951 a committee headed by R.H. "Red" Gardner, Past Exalted Ruler of Tallamook Lodge #4137 began the work of securing enough prospective memers to institute an Elks Lodge in Hillsboro, Oregon. The original committee consisted of Red Gardner, Ron and George Baldwin, Avis Crosley, Frank Cox and Russ Hines. All of these men belonged to the Elks organization. Others who helped the commitee were Bill Carver, Jack Swank and Frank "Pink" Friday. Many other put in time and money to get enough members to receive the go ahead from Past Grand Exalted Ruler Frank Lonergan, who was he sponsor of Oregon Lodges.
An Antlers Club was started at 136 E. Main Street in Hillsboro, in the American Legion Hall. Many meetings were held, advertisements and articles in the local paper caused enough men to sign up to permit the Past Grand Exalted Ruler to grant the application for a dispensation to form Hillsboro Lodge.
The organizing committee had meetings in Hillsboro, Forest Grove, and Beaverton, but the lodge drew its members from other towns in the county as well as these.
On September 11, 1952, letters were mailed to the prospective members and the other Lodges announcing the date of the institution. September 27, 1952, at Shute Park Pavilion.
The Lodge when organized had 380 members, and was the largest Elks Lodge instituted to that time. There were 1,861 lodges formed previously, so Hillsboro became BPOE No. 1862.
The first Exalted Ruler resigned and Art Scripture was elected and is recognized as the first Exalted Ruler of Hillsboro Lodge #1862.
After its institution the Lodge leased the American Legion Hall and used it for five years. Meanwhile, a building committee, a finance committee, and the brothers completed the building of a new Lodge at 922 S. W. Walnut.
This building was dedicated March 22, 1958, though the building was occupied in October of 1957.
In charge of dedication ceremonies were Past Gran Exalted Ruler, Judge Frank Lonergan of Portland and Frank Hise of Corvallis, who became Grand Exalted Ruler of the order in 1970.
The cornerstone was laid by Past Grand Exalted Ruler Frank Lonergan. Among those assisting him were Albert M. Hodler, Clifton B. Mudd, Hal M. Randall, R.H. Gardner, Fred Simpson, E.N. Butler, William H. Warden, Edward R. Dimbat, Sr., Robert W. Muleny, Estel Benner and Frank Hise. Among those on the dedication committee were Frank Blanchard, Russ Hines, Richard heisler and Avis Crosley. The building committee were G.R. Clark, Bill Goetter, Frank Chatas, George Baldwin, Robert Fruiten, Darrell Hayden, Melvin Phelps, Ray Mathis, Frank Cox and R.H. Gardner. The mortgage-burning ceremony was held 10 years after occupation of the building, in 1967.
The lodge has grown in strength from 380 members in 1952 to 1,400 today. Its participation in community service projects has increased and strengthened as its membership has grown.
There have been 35 Exalted Rulers, including Dale Smoole, the 1983-84 Exalted Ruler. R.H. Gardner was the first District Deputy Grand Exalted Ruler in 1966. There are two other Past District Deputy Grand Exalted Rulers, Del Jansen in 1973 and Wes Foster in 1982.
In its 30 years the Hillsboro Lodge has helped more than 225,000 children in eye care, baseball, basketball, track, swimming, scholarships, hunter safety, drug abuse, and Girl, Boy and Sea Scouts programs.
Hillsboro Lodge has been an asset to the community because of its programs of charity, youth activities, student scholarships and many other projects to help unfortunate people. Two programs are especially looked forward to by the members, the Christmas baskets and the children's Christmas Theater party.
Hillsboro has helped in creation of other lodges in its area over the years. In 1957 Beaverton Lodge was organized, taking part of the Hillsboro Lodge area. Next was Sherwood Lodge, organized in 1966. Then in 1969 Forest Grove Lodge was formed, taking the western part of the county. These lodges along with Multnomah Lodge are helping Washington County to grow and prosper.
In 1969 the Hillsboro Lodge bought the Orenco Woods Golf Course. This public course is considered to be one of the best nin-hole links in the Northwest. The Lodge also bought five acres of land adjoining the golf course on the south where our new emple is now located.
Physical Address:
21865 NW Quatama Rd, ,
Hillsboro, OR USA
97124
|