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This item was compiled by Hugh T. Hoskins 9/1997 -
extracting HEAVILY from the prior works of, Otto Boyd, Charles M. VanDusen,
Thomas J. Pert, Claudis T. Shirley, S. Jean Brewer, and others.
A HISTORY OF DOWNEY LODGE NO. 220
Summer 1871 -
In search of a land where they could settle, seventeen Texans left the State of
Texas and traveled overland to California. It seems that all of these Texans had
in mind the creation of a Masonic Lodge wherever they might settle, and it is
reported that on their trip they went through the ritual of all three degrees in
order that it might remain fresh in their minds when the time came to form a new
lodge.
At this point in history the typewriter had just appeared on
the market and Alexander Graham Bell was about to make his first telephone call.
On arriving in Los Angeles County, they established themselves
at Downeyville. This was an agricultural colony a few miles southeast of Los
Angeles which had been established only a short time before their arrival.
Shortly after their arrival, these men, with other Masons in
the community, met to discuss plans to formulate a lodge of Free and Accepted
Masons.
1 Aug 1871 -
The group met for their first formal discussions at the home of the Methodist
minister, Rev. William Albert Spurlock.
At the second meeting the name of Downey Lodge was selected,
and the Lexington Lodge in El Monte was requested to recommend the petition for
a dispensation.
10 Aug 1871 -
At the third meeting, the necessary papers had been prepared and it was voted to
forward them to the Grand Secretary for the approval of the Grand Master.
17 Oct 1871 -
The Grand Lodge issued a dispensation authorizing Downey Lodge to meet as a
recognized body under their jurisdiction.
30 Oct 1871 -
The dispensation having been approved, the first meeting was held in the
Mercantile House of Frank E. Adams, located at the Southwest corner of what was
then known as Santa Gertrudes and College Avenue, now Paramount Boulevard and
Alameda Street. The Minutes show that they met in LosNietos.
14 Sept 1872 -
A resolution was introduced to name delegates to attend the Grand Lodge and
petition that body for a charter. The following were elected and recommended
that they be named as the first officers of the Chartered Lodge:
Woodville Mausa Andrews, Worshipful Master
William Wickliffe Edwards, Senior Warden
Frank Eury Adams, Junior Warden.
11 Oct 1872 -
The Grand Lodge issued the Charter for Downey Lodge #220.
1 Nov 1872 -
The Charter having been granted, the first meeting under the Charter was held.
At this time Bro. Samuel Praeger, a Past Master of Los Angeles Lodge No. 42
acting by authority of and as proxy for the Grand Master, officated at the
institution of Downey Lodge.
At this meeting, Brother John G. Downey, Governor of
California during 1860-1862, presented the Downey Lodge with a set of silver
officers jewels in appreciation for the naming of the Lodge after him. The same
set of jewels was used by the Lodge until they were retired in 1996.
9 Nov 1872 -
The Lodge ordered a letter of thanks to ex-Governor Downey and also order
payment of the bill for $18.00 for the previous hire of the carriage necessary
for Bro. Prager "to come to Downeyville from Los Angeles to institute Downey
Lodge and install its officers".
Since this was an agricultural community and Downey was the
shopping center, the meetings were held on the Saturday of or next preceding the
full moon. This allowed the members who came to town by horse and buggy to do
the shopping, stay for the meeting, and return home by the light of the moon.
During the next few years the Lodge prospered along with the
community which saw its named shortened and the townsite of "Downey" planned and
laid out by the then ex-Governor Downey and his brother-in-law, Judge M.D.
Crawford. The Southern Pacific Railroad was completed through Downey during this
time also. Picnic and box socials were quite popular in those days as a form of
recreation for members and their families.
 During
the early history of the Lodge, even when the town of Downey was not yet founded
on its present site, Downey Lodge No. 220 was known as the "beehive" Lodge,
because it had a healthy year to year development and became one of the solid
lodges of the Southland and as one of Downey's pioneer fraternal organizations.
29 Nov 1873 -
The Lodge decided to sell its house and the land on which it stood and refund
the equity which the International Order of Odd Fellows (I.O.O.F.) had in the
house.
27 Dec 1873 -
The Lodge decided to rent a suitable meeting place from the Los Nietos
Collegiate Institute.
Throughout this time the meeting location was noted variously
as both Los Nietos and Downeyville. By mid 1874 the name Downeyville was
predominant and by the end of 1874, the name had become shortened to Downey.
(Written as "Downey City")
22 Aug 1874 -
The Lodge relocated to its a more permanent home in the Temple of the
International Order of Odd Fellows (I.O.O.F.) which was completed in 1874 on the
east side of Crawford Street (now Downey Avenue) between First Street (now
Firestone Boulevard) and Second Street. The Lodge purchased 40 shares at $10.00
each in the I.O.O.F.'s Los Nietos Building Association.
27 May 1882 - ( to 1/4/1884)
The Lodge helped institute Compton Lodge.
17 Feb 1883 -
A Masonic Cemetery site was purchased. It was improved and landscaped into a
beautiful facility and remained under the control of the Lodge unitl 1925 at
which time it was deeded to the County of Los Angeles. It is located at the
northeast corner of Lakewood Blvd. and Gardendale Avenue. (Some notes claim this
was 1873, but the minutes show it in 1883)
28 Mar 1885 -
The minutes note that some Lodge funds were stolen during a robbery at the Post
Office.
6 Nov 1886 -
The purchase of 10 sacks of wheat was authorized at a cost of $17.85 to be sent
via Los Angeles Lodge for relief of starving Brothers in Texas.
__ --- 1888 -
Badge of mourning for 30 days
3 Dec 1892 -
Several members requested dimits to form Norwalk Lodge.. In due time Downey
recommended the institution of Norwalk Lodge
18 Nov 1893 -
Voted to attend the institution of Norwalk Lodge.
11 Mar 1899 -
A double raising was performed, with the members from LongBeach, Norwalk,
Compton, Anchor, and Whittier all invited to attend.
27 Apr 1907 -
An insurance payment was pending relative to the Lodge's interest in the I.O.O.F.
Temple which just recently burned down.
7 Aug 1907 -
An affirmative vote was had on a motion to form a Corporation to put up their
own bldg. (see also minutes of 9/21/1907) (This process apparently took about 15
years.)
2 Nov 1912 -
The date for the stated meeting was changed to be on the first Saturday of each
month.
4 Mar 1916 -
The date for the stated meeting was changed to be on the first Friday of each
month.
__ --- 1922 -
Plans for a two-story Masonic Temple having been developed, groundbreaking for
the building took place. In addition to donations and loans from the membership,
a mortgage was obtained for long term financing.
13 Nov 1922 -
The cornerstone of the Temple was laid in true and ancient form at the northeast
corner of the new building situated on the southwest corner of Third Street and
Downey Avenue. The ceremonies were minimal due to the inability of Grand Master
Samuel E. Burke to come to Downey at the time.
6 April 1923 -
The first meeting was held in the first building which we could call our own.
The letter "G" suspended in the East was presented by Bro. Arthur L. Darby
16 May 1923 -
The new Temple was dedicated by the Grand Lodge F. and A. M. of the State of
California which was opened in due form for the purpose. The ceremony was
attended by approximately eighty members of the Fraternity.
Over the years the three ground-floor store facilities were
occupied by, Live Wire Newspaper, Guy Pulley's Pharmacy Anderson Electric,
Standard Brands Shoes, retail sporting goods.
6 Mar 1925 -
The Lodged-owned Cemetery was deeded to the County of Los Angeles.
30 Oct 1946 -
The debt on the Temple building being cleared, the mortgage was burned.
Worshipful Master Frank R. Syrett, presiding, C. Ben Marshall, Master of
Ceremonies.
In the 1940s and 1950s -
The Lodge members were very active in the community and in civic affairs. Bro.
Frank Barnes was proud to say that when he was elected to the High School
District Board of Trustees, he was the only member who was not a Past Master of
the Lodge.
__ --- 195x/196x
Property was acquired in anticipation of building a new temple in the area of
the 12200 block of Paramount Blvd. near Orange St.
__ --- 195x/196x
The Paramount Blvd. property was sold and property adjacent to the Temple at
Third and Downey was acquired.
__ Apr 1965 -
Plans for a three-story Masonic Temple having been developed, groundbreaking for
the building took place. In addition to donations and loans from the membership,
a mortgage was obtained for long term financing.
21 Aug 1965 -
The cornerstone ceremonies were held under the direction of the Grand Lodge,
Free and Accepted Masons of California, with the Most Worshipful Theodore Meriam,
Grand Master, laying the cornerstone.
Participating were William C. Jebe, Worshipful Master of
Downey Lodge, and Dr. Claudis T. Shirley, Inspector of the 596th Masonic
District, as Master of Ceremonies.
Over the years the ground-floor store facilities were occupied
by, Yamaha Piano, Dr. Noble Medical Offices, Public Finance Loan Co.
2 Sept 1966 -
Dedication ceremonies were conducted by the Grand Lodge with Most Worshipful
Myron E. Smith, Grand Master, presiding. Participating were Edward Ketchum,
Worshipful Master of Downey Lodge, and Elwayne E. Smith, President of the Square
and Compass Building Association of Downey.
__ --- 1967 -
The old building was torn down and the property has now become our north parking
lot. The demolition company was to have relocated the Lodge's safe from the old
building to the new. But some of their workers got a bit mixed up and managed to
open it and strew many of the contents to the wind. Our Brother Rolland Estil
happened along shortly thereafter, noted the situation, called the Secretary,
and they gathered-up everything that they could. Nothing was ever sought which
was presumed to have disappeared in the fiasco.
__ Sept 1971 -
The Lodge's being one hundred years old, its Centennial was celebrated during
ceremonies of the Grand Lodge convened in the Temple, and adjourned to a hall in
Lynwood, with the Most Worshipful Lester S. McElwain, Grand Master, officiating.
Participating were Raymond S. Turrell, Worshipful Master of Downey Lodge, and
Roy F. Knapp, Inspector.
__ xxx 197x -
Discussions were held regarding a merger with ...
5 Sept 1985 -
Discussions were finalized regarding a merger with Guardian Lodge and the
committee's report was adopted. The Guardian membership voted not to approve the
merger.
9 May 1987 -
The debt on the Temple building being cleared, the mortgage was burned during
ceremonies of the Grand Lodge convened in the Temple, with the Most Worshipful
Jack R. Leavitt, Grand Master, officiating. Participating were Alan G. Crary,
Worshipful Master of Downey Lodge, Charles R. Hutchinson, Past Master, as Master
of Ceremonies, and Stanley J. Salter, Inspector of the 696th Masonic District.
1 Oct 1987 -
The area was shaken at 07:42am by a 6.1 earthquake centered about 7 miles NNE,
near Whittier. The Temple sustained only internal damage. A broken water pipe
caused 2nd floor flooding, some non-bearing walls showed cracks, many ceiling
tiles were dropped to the floor.
The Millers-Mies Mortuary, north across 3rd St. from the
Temple sutained sufficient damage that the City demanded extensive repairs;
after due deliberation they decided to vacate their building become our
ground-floor tenant.
14 June 1989 -
With the extensive upgrading of the ground floor by the Mortuary, the City
required the installation of a fire sprinkler system on the upper floors also.
This required obtaining a new mortgage.
5 Nov 1992 -
Discussions were finalized regarding a merger with Southeast Lodge and the
committee's report was adopted. The Southeast membership voted not to approve
the merger.
__ Aug 1995 -
The Lodge voted to negotiate for a merger with Southeast Lodge (formerly a
consolidation of Guardian, Jordan, and Golden Bowl); Rising Light Lodge
immediately expressed an interest and the merger was consumated.
4 Jan 1996 -
The first meeting of Downey United Masonic Lodge #220 was held, consolidating
Downey #220 (chartered in 1872), Rising Light # 397 (c.1908), Guardian #596
(c.1924), Jordan #654 (c.1927), and Golden Bowl #755 (c.1955), with Worshipful
Master, Jimmy Lee Owens presiding. The membership count at that point was 1065.
28 Sept 1997 -
The debt on the Temple building being cleared, the mortgage was burned. With
Worshipful Master, H. Robert Udoff presiding ..
a history of Downey Lodge was given by Hugh T. Hoskins, P.M.,
a history of Southeast Lodge was given by Robert H. Vleerick, P.M, a history of
Rising Light Lodge was given by Jose Porcell, P.M.;
the Burning of the Mortgage was done by ..
Charles R. Hutchinson, P.M.
William V. Ritchie, P.M.
Jose Porcell, P.M.
Robert H. Vleerick, P.M,
William G. Dusatko, P.M,
Douglas B. Eichen, P.M, Inspector of the 373rd Masonic District.
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