Florence Masonic Lodge No. 107 was chartered by the Grand Lodge of Ancient Free and Accepted Masons of Oregon in 1893. A replacement charter was presented to the Lodge on the 16th day of June, 1911 because the original was destroyed by fire. The Lodge’s history dates back to before the town of Florence was established.

Brother Robin Sullivan worked closely with the Pioneer Museum to develop a display area within the museum for Florence Lodge. He gathered artifacts and photos from the days when the Lodge was located in what is now “Old Town” as well as items that were a part of the Lodge in Mapleton. Unfortunately, Brother Robin laid down his working tools in March, 2023 and WB Dick Tooley has stepped up to become the Lodge Historian.

If you happen to have items that should be displayed as part of the Florence Lodge # 107 display, please contact the Lodge so we can make arrangements to borrow them for the display.

History of Florence Masonic Lodge #107 AF&AM Of Oregon

9/2018

By Richard F. Tooley, PM

When we look back on the history of Florence Masonic Lodge, it is really hard to visualize, back in 1893, that these men could come together, using the Siuslaw River and dirt roads to travel on. Many brothers came by boat. Some walked great distances and others came by horse and sometimes by wagon.

In 1893, Florence Masons obtained their charter, and called themselves Siuslaw #107. The Brothers changed the name, in 1897, to Florence #107.   Florence Lodge was a Moon Lodge. This meaning that “The Stated Communication (business meeting) was held on the first Saturday following the full moon of each month”. Essentially, moonlight helped in traversing difficult mountain and river trails, as well as the main highway–the Siuslaw River.

There was no electricity in those days, just kerosene lamps, so the Masons agreed to meet on the night of a full moon when the tides were favorable for floating down the Siuslaw. The whole family piled into the boat. They stayed in the hotel, did their shopping, and attended their meetings. When the tides were right they loaded the supplies and floated upriver to their homes.

We should remember that there were no major roads-it was not until 1915 that the railroad was completed to Acme, which is now called Cushman and then it turned South to Marshfield, now known as Coos Bay. It was in the early twenties when the roads were built and in the mid-thirties when the bridge crossing the Siuslaw River was completed.

Lodge dues were $3.00 per year

In 1889, 43 of the 61 Masonic Lodges in Oregon dated their meetings by the full moon. By 1952 only Mapleton and South Umpqua Lodge 72 at Canyonville persisted. Florence #107 was a moon lodge until 1950.

The original lodge building was located on the waterfront across the street from the old theater and in October 1910 there was a major fire that completely destroyed 7 to 10 buildings, one of which was the Masonic Lodge along with all its properties including the minutes for those first 17 years. With no records to tell us, I can only assume that the Lodge rented their meeting hall. During the early years and at this time in history, the brothers may have been saving money in order to build their own lodge.

While we were reminiscing over the old times Larry Stonelake, President of the Board of Trustees, told the story of how the Mason’s chairs survived the 1910 fire. While picking through the former meeting hall’s smoldering rubble on Front Street (now called Bay Street), one of the members recalled that possibly their wooden chairs had weathered the conflagration. They peeked in a particular saloon and sure enough, all the chairs had been saved. It was revealed that a popular function at the bar had required additional seating. A thoughtful patron remembered that the Masons had some chairs. The recovered furniture is still in use today.

A former treasurer, Past Master and 33^rd degree mason, the late Richard Erath, recalled that the new building was completed in 1913. In the intervening years the Masons not only rented the ground floor to a feed store and the undertaker, it was also a war surplus store and a lady’s dress shop. During the time the mortician occupied the downstairs, a candidate to become a Mason inadvertently wandered into the undertaker’s preparation room. It took much soothing and reassurance to convince the shuddering candidate that what he saw in there had nothing to do with his initiation ritual.

Picture of the fire that destroyed the downtown shopping area of the Florence old town and the building Florence Lodge #107 used for its meetings.

After the fire of October 1910

          Looking at the minutes of December 1, 1910 and I quote, “Masonic Lodge agreed to rent a meeting hall from the IOOF. The rent was $12 per year.” The Oddfellows and the Masons had a very good relationship, which will again come to our attention very shortly. An item in the minutes of February 18, 1911 was “The Treasurer is not to be responsible for the failure of any bank. Only with the correctness of the accounts.” The Treasurer could deposit up to $1000 in the local bank. Any amount over that was to be deposited in the First National Bank, in Eugene.

The Masons, then as now, were responsible for the operation of the cemetery. Referring to the minutes of July 1911, there was a price increase-a bill was allowed for $3.00 for the digging of a grave. Also, a building committee was appointed and reported $1,063.90 to that date. The Lodge was quite active at this time in conferring degrees, increasing the building fund and performing other normal duties—one noted in the minutes of November 11, 1911—The Lodge bought a secretary’s desk from Mr. North for $5.00.

In 1911, the Masons purchased a vacant lot agreeing to pay off the principal in gold coins. From the time of the “1910 fire”, the lodge rented the Odd fellow’s hall, upstairs over what is now, a restaurant on Bay Street. For three years they rented from the Oddfellows and at the same time constructed their new building. By 1913 it was ready for paint at a cost of $1800.

As we close 1911, minutes of December 9, 1911-had the notation, “Mrs. Gates was allowed $1.00 for washing dishes and 75 cents to Mrs. J.H.  Moms for laundering aprons.

As we begin 1912, the minutes of January 6 had the notation, that the lodge approved a bill for $6.00 for J.H. Moms services for secretary for a period of 2 years. On January 21, 1912 minutes stated the lodge approved a bill for $21.30 for jewels.

In January 1912 Masonic Brotherly Love and Charity were demonstrated in the minutes and I quote, “Brother Alexander is very ill. It would be best to send him to Marshfield to the hospital and the Lodge appropriated $100 to defray these expenses. Brother Faught was delegated to accompany him to the hospital. Brother Alexander had been serving as Tyler for the Lodge and also served as Warden for the Cemetery. He received $12 per year for serving as Warden of the Cemetery. In February the Oddfellows Lodge expressed a desire to share in the expense of the illness of Brother Alexander. The Master appointed a committee to meet with the Oddfellows and report back with a recommendation.

In March of 1912 the total billing in connection with Brother Alexander’s illness and burial accounted to $252.90. The Oddfellows Lodge, sharing equally, sent a check for $126.45 and this completed the matter. It is important that we keep in mind that the two lodges paid the entire expense of the final illness and burial. You would need a computer and a strong imagination to compare that amount of money to today’s society.

An article in the local paper dated September 13, 1912-

“The Florence Masonic Lodge has let a contract for the erection of a new hall on their lot at the southeast of Lincoln and Main Streets and the building is to be erected as soon as the necessary material can be obtained.

The building will be a frame structure, 60 feet long, 30 feet wide and two stories in height. The first floor will be for a storeroom and will be fitted with a glass front. The second floor will be for the lodge room.

Bids for the work were opened last Saturday evening. Jack Gilmore submitted the lowest bid and the contract was awarded to him. The price is $1890, the contractor to furnish all material and finish up the building, ready for painting.

The Masons have been without a hall of the own ever since they were burned out in October 1910 but have held their meetings in the Odd Fellows Hall.

The new building will give them plenty of room and will add considerable to the appearance of that part of the town.

Work is to be commenced as soon as the lumber can be obtained, and it is hoped to have the building completed this fall.

A tenant has already been secured for the storeroom, and he will take possession as soon as the building is finished.”

At the December 1943 installation of officers, for 1944, Charles L. Graden, the retiring Master, presented a brief summary of the growth of Florence lodge during his year as Master. They had a total of 20 meetings with the lodge recessed for two months during the summer. Eighteen degrees were conferred on six new members which were taken into the order. Half of this number were examined in the MM degree at this meeting in addition to the election and installation of officers. Following adjournment an appetizing repast was enjoyed by the brethren and the evening was concluded. This must have been a very late night.

          In November of 1954, Grand Master Roy W. McNeil, of the grand lodge of Oregon AF&AM, with his official grand lodge family made an official visitation to Florence lodge #107. A dinner preceded the event at 6 p.m. furnished and served by members of Vesta Chapter Order of the Eastern Star.

About 100 members from District #29 lodges consisting of Blanco Lodge #48, Coos Bay; Aurora Lodge #59, Gardiner-Reedsport; Siuslaw #192, Mapleton and Florence Lodge #107 were present.

With Howard Henderson, DDGM of District #29, in attendance, one of the highlights of the evening was the presentation of a 50-year membership jewel to Brother Taylor Smith of McKenzie Bridge who was raised in the Florence Lodge on September 10, 1904, by Charles Morgan, master.

It was in 1970 that the “Grand Lodge of Oregon AF&AM” and the local Florence Mason Lodge participating in setting a “Cornerstone,” for the new Siuslaw High School. With this ceremony and the continuing scholarship program by the Florence Lodge, you can see just how much Mason’s support Public Education.

Through the years the Lodge went through many changes as did the Florence area. In about 1973, the Masonic Temple on Maple Street had to be jacked up and a new foundation poured after it was almost condemned. Then during 1991-1992 the building was completely renovated both inside and out.

In 1993 The Florence Lodge celebrated it’s 100^th Birthday. The public was invited to an open house and a dinner was well attended in June.

Masonic Widow’s:

Also, in 1993, with Master Merle Eldridge and other brothers, leading the way, the idea for a “Masonic Widow’s Club”, came about. While this is a group, no one wants, there is a need for this club. So, a “Masonic Widow’s Club” was established with 17 ladies’ at the first “Tea.” This group will receive support from the lodge re; handyman services, transportation, annual Masonic Dinner, Luncheon, advance notice of events, and a committee to assist new widows.

All mason’s take an obligation to support “Masonic Widows and Orphans.”

On October 17, 1995, held their annual Masonic Widows recognition dinner, at this time Bro. Merle Eldridge, PM, present the widows with a Charter. Henrietta Neuman, President of the Masonic Widows Club #1, accepted the Charter and informed all present how proud they were to be recognized as members of the Masonic Family.

          Following this presentation, Henrietta Neuman, representing the Club, made a $200 donation to Florence Lodge to be added to the Youth Scholarship Program which is held annually.

Mason’s Install New Officer’s. On December 18, 1993, the Florence Lodge #107 installed it new officers with Louis M. Ramsey, Worshipful Master.

Death of a Master:

A sad note, the night before WM Louis Ramsey was to hold his first meeting, as Master, he suddenly passed away. With the support of the Lodge, Dean Layton and the other officers moved in to fill the void. WB Dean was officially elected Master at the June Stated Meeting.

Supporting Education:

          As everyone knows, Masons support education. With this in mind, Florence Lodge #107 continues to award two $1000 Scholarships each year. One to a graduating senior at Siuslaw High School, in Florence and one to a graduating senior at Mapleton High School, in Mapleton. The local Masonic Widow’s Club #1 also give an award of $500 every year.

A Last meeting:

With the building being two stories and the two stairs being outside, although they did get enclosed, the 5000 square foot structure became just too much for the aging membership. They decided to sell it and move to a single-level building in 2004. In February of 2005, the Master of the Florence Lodge, Joe Fontana, conducted the last meeting, in the old building in Old Town. Sixty Masons (the greatest turnout to a meeting in recent memory) and their guests enjoyed the last supper, an extra-special baked ham dinner prepared by Sandy Fontana.

Personal representative of the Grand Master of Masons in District 21, Roger Booher and his lady drove up from Reedsport. Other noteworthy guests were Arlie Thomason, master of Aurora Lodge #59 in Reedsport and Daniel Ross, master of Chadwick Lodge #68 in Coquille. For almost 4 years the Florence Lodge would meet in the Odd Fellows Hall (again) on South Jetty Road.

 For many reasons, on December 6, 2005, Siuslaw Masonic Lodge #192, of Mapleton, consolidated with Florence Masonic Lodge #107. The combined lodges temporarily meet at the Odd Fellows Hall on South Jetty Road. The Mapleton-based lodge received their charter in 1926 and chose Siuslaw #192 for their name.

In 2005 the Trustees bought land South of Florence on Highway 101. With Lane County at last issuing the Conditional Use Permit, the Beaches and Dunes Overlay, and the Wetlands clearance, the Mason’s Board of Trustees hurriedly met, to plan their next step. The trustees voted to search for an Architect and a Contractor to design their four thousand square foot lodge hall and construct it. Plans were prepared and approved, in early 2005 and a contract was let.

Cornerstone:

After a long application process, with Lane County and The State of Oregon, a groundbreaking ceremony took place on March 17, 2007 at the new Lodge site at 84910 Highway 101 South. The ceremony was followed with lunch at the Odd Fellows Hall on South Jetty Road. The public was invited to attend.  This meeting was attended by about 70 people, members and public. RWB Roger Booher, DDGM represented the Grand Master.

WM Dick Tooley, WB Larry Stonelake President of Trustees, and RWB Roger Booher, DDGM.

Dispensation:

          At an “Occasional Lodge,” in July of 2007, a challenge to the Master’s qualifications was made. In the Oregon Masonic Code, Sect: 203-2, it states that in order to be a Master of an Oregon Masonic Lodge, you must have been elected as a Warden or Master. WM Richard Tooley is a Past Master from California, 1979. He spent 5 years going “through the line.” Most Worshipful Brother Dennis Johnson, Grand Master of Masons in Oregon, visited Florence Lodge, in October and said that WB Dick Tooley had been elected as a Warden and Master of a “Regularly Constituted Lodge” and was qualified to sit as Master. He then issued a dispensation for WB Dick Tooley to continue to be Master. This way no one could challenge his qualifications again. An addition to the Oregon Masonic Code, Section 203-2, at the 2008 Grand Lodge Communication. It stated that you had to be elected a Warden or Master, “in this Jurisdiction.”

WB John Smith, MWB Dennis Johnson, Grand Master, RWB Keith Stevens, DDGM. GM’s Official visit to Florence Lodge.

In December of 2007, Most Worshipful Dennis J. Johnson, Grand Master of Masons in Oregon, laid down a “Cornerstone” in the North East corner of the new Lodge building. The Grand Master stated that with this new building, the local Masons showed their commitment to Masonry and the community. WM Dick Tooley introduced Florence Mayor Brubaker who gave a brief history of Florence. Then WM Dick Tooley gave a brief history of Florence and Mapleton Lodges.

This is how to set a corner stone. WM Dick Tooley with the hammer, WB Bill Bennett with the shovel. A little too much rain makes for a sloppy mess when you want to dig a hole in gravel.

Death of another Master:

After the death of WM Calvin W. Hurd and the election of David Chester, Worshipful Master, in July of 2008 and many roadblocks, the Lodge was finally completed, and we received our final inspection on the day before Thanksgiving. A Masonic Funeral was held for WM Calvin W. Hurd with over 75 people in attendance.

Dedication:

WM David Chester presided over a meeting, on January 2, 2009, and Most Worshipful Brother Robert Richmond, Grand Master of Masons in Oregon dedicated Florence Masonic Lodge. Florence Lodge presented a model “Logging Truck,” to the Grand Master. This was in recognition of his many years in Forestry. WB Dick Tooley made the model truck out of wood.

 With a dinner of Prime Rib put on by WB Bernie Christensen, JW and his wife Nina, we had 70 people in attendance. The Widow’s were honored for 15 years and several 50 year and 60 year Jewels were award by the Grand Master. WB Bernie Christensen was also presented our Hiram Award for 2008.

Consolidation:

With the consolidation of Siuslaw Lodge #192, Mapleton, and Florence Lodge #107, in December 2005, it just seems fitting that we add some history on this lodge. We apologize for not having more information on Siuslaw Lodge #192 however, with Florence Lodge meeting in a temporary building, files (as they were) were placed in storage. We just could not find much information. We will continue to search for more information.

          On December 6, 2005, Siuslaw Masonic Lodge #192, of Mapleton, consolidated with Florence Lodge #107. The combined lodges temporarily meet at the Odd Fellows Hall on South Jetty Road until a new Masonic Temple is constructed.

The Mapleton-based lodge received their charter in 1926 and chose Siuslaw #192 for their name.

Mapleton Masons met at the Odd Fellows building (Mapleton Lodge #139) from 1926 until 1996, when the building was sold, becoming Farmer’s Country Hardware. From 1996 until consolidation, Siuslaw met at The Mapleton Grange Hall #584.

Again, “The stated Communications of this Lodge shall be held on the first Saturday following the full moon of each month,” stated Siuslaw #192’s original Bylaws. Essential moonlight did help in traversing difficult mountain and river trails, as well as the main highway—the Siuslaw River.

In 1889, 43 of the 61 Masonic Lodges in Oregon dated their meetings by the full moon. In 1964 Siuslaw #192 voted to drop the “on or after the full moon” provision and switched to a regular calendar date, the third Saturday of the month, effective January 1965.

In August 1958, Siuslaw #192 held their first open-air meeting by the light of the full moon. They selected the lookout station on top of Roman Nose Mountain. Orange crates, weighted with rocks, served as the ‘stations.” Large grease cans stood in for the “doors,” which, reportedly, sounded the appropriate knocks for entry with good effect. Ben Bettger became a Master Mason during the ceremony, with visitors from Florence #107, Aurora #59 in Reedsport, and Applegate Lodge at Elmira. A clear, starlit night under the full moon, accompanied by a brisk breeze off the Pacific Ocean, “chilled the participants to the bone.”

The second annual outdoor meeting occurred on the same mountaintop. Improvements included three flashlights tied to stakes, set in the ground, to illuminate the altar. A metal seat-pounded with a rock- stood in for the chime, and dynamite boxes replaced the orange crates. Representatives from 12 Lodges and 5 Grand Jurisdictions {5 states} participated. The attendees reported the weather as, “not so cold.”

Even by the light of the full moon, participants got in trouble. The third mountain meeting took place August 6, 1960. Bright stars decorated the sky; nonetheless, it was “balmy and warm”—which turned out to be “a lucky break” for two Masons. Among the last to leave the meeting, Albert Coe (Siuslaw #192’s outstanding historian who wrote the bulk of the material in this article, and a companion, chose the wrong trail off the mountain. By the time they realized their error, they knew it would do no good to turn back; there was no one left at the top to direct them. The road they’d chosen was a good one, and they figured “it must come out somewhere.” By the correct trail, Mapleton sat 16 miles from Roman Nose. The two men trekked on until they came in sight of Gardiner—40 miles from Mapleton. They reached home by 3 AM.

The fourth annual mountaintop meeting occurred July 29, 1961. A clear night and warm weather greeted the brothers, astonished at the improvement in the furniture. They now boasted white-painted apple crates.

Blanco Lodge #48 of Coos Bay co-sponsored the July 14, 1962 mountaintop meeting, where Dick Gould earned his Master Mason degree. Instead of good weather, “a damp and chilly haze dimmed the landscape.” Heavy dew formed on everything. It dampened the Holy Bible, necessitating it to be stored upside down so that it could properly dry. This became the last of the mountaintop meetings.

From 1946 through 1955, “Cap” Jensen captained the Iris J, a boat he’d built. Masons wishing to improve their proficiencies begged a ride on Cap’s regular river run. He delivered the mail and hauled milk to the cheese factory at Cushman. The Iris J’s pilothouse grew into a favorite spot to practice with the popular coach. The good days ended in 1955, when the Post Office scrapped the Rural Free Delivery system and introduced wheeled service. Cap disposed of the Iris J.

Over the years, Siuslaw #192 contributed to many worthy causes; Waverly Baby Home, Mapleton Sunday School, Mapleton Evangelical Church, Boy Scout Troop, Girl Scouts, 4-H Club, Red Cross, Bandon Lodge, Masonic & Eastern Star Home, hospital beds, Shrine Hospital, and Overseas Food Fund.

On December 30, 1955, an unusual joint Installation of Officers took place in the new Mapleton High School auditorium, when husband and wife, Hubert and Virginia Armbruster, were installed as Master of Siuslaw #192 and Matron of Eastern Star Chapter #173, respectively. As you can tell, it took several members to research the information needed for this piece. This is a project that is continually evolving. Thanks to all, for the