HISTORY OF OUR LODGE
It was the early in the summer of 1923. The late Thomas (Herb) Elijah, having completed a hard day's work on his orange ranch, had settled down in his easy chair at home. He was completely relaxed as he enjoyed his evening paper, the Orange Daily News. The national sports news of the day centered around such notable figures as Babe Ruth, Jack Dempsey, Walter Hagen and Charley
Paddock, The burning question of the day was Prohibition. President Warren G. Harding, soon to die in office, was on a tour of Alaska. These topics and others of less interest rancher Elijah read as he scanned his newspaper. Suddenly an obscure local news item caught his attention. Headed "ELKS TO FORM LODGE IN ORANGE", the story went on to say that a movement was gaining momentum among Elks living in Orange to organize a local Lodge. Since he had been an active Elk in Santa Ana Lodge beginning in 1905, Elijah became vitally interested. Immediately he investigated the source of the story. In 1923 the Orange District was under the jurisdiction of Santa Ana. Approximately 60 residents of Orange were members of Santa Ana Lodge. A. Rossiter, local dentist, was Exalted Ruler in Santa Ana. Elijah conferred with Dr. Rossiter and Secretary Adams of Santa Ana to confirm the Daily News story. They stated that they knew nothing of such a movement, but would be glad to cooperate in forming a new Lodge in Orange. Now fully interested, Elijah discovered that there was a group of Elks in the locality also interested in such a movement. Thus given the idea, Elijah became a dominant factor in the birth of Orange Elks Lodge No. 1475. It was Elijah who started the ball rolling. Others caught the spirit and enthusiasm. Soon A. L. Tomblin, Harry Huff, Stanley Mansur, Dr. J. C. Crawford, C. H. Adams, W. E. Clement and A. R. Todhunter, all of whom are now deceased, along with Elijah and others were holding a series of meetings in Orange City Hall. Out of these meetings emerged the nucleus of Orange Elks Lodge. Discussions were endless. Many problems had to be solved. Foremost, a census had to be taken of the community. A 9,000 population was necessary by order of the Grand Lodge. To do this, permission was obtained from the City. The census takers were financed by the Elks living in Orange. This accomplished, a series of petitions were sent through Santa Ana Lodge requesting a charter from the Grand Lodge. There was one final question. Who were to he the Charter Members? This was established by vote of all interested Elks. All Orange residents who were members of Santa Ana Lodge became Charter Members. Inscribed on our Charter, which hangs in our Lodge room, are the 53 names, all of whom transferred from Santa Ana. Throughout the late summer and fall of 1923, organizational meetings continued. Petitions and official correspondence flowed between here and the offices of the Grand Lodge. In early November the eagerly awaited word was received. The Grand Lodge had approved the Charter. The intense effort and hard work of those members, who had given so much of their time and money was rewarded. Preparations were immediately started for the great day when Orange Lodge would be formally instituted. With mounting excitement the date was set for Monday evening, November 26, 1923. The place: The Lodge room of the I.O.O.F. Hall above Watson's Drug Store. Here is the story as taken from the files of the Orange Daily News, November 27, 1923:
"Impressive ceremonies, elaborately staged and conducted under the direction of H. S. Williamson, Redlands, DDGER, California South, Orange Lodge No. 1475 B.P.O.E. assumed its place in ranks of the antlered herd as the baby Lodge of this great organization." "The institution was preceded by a huge banquet at the Coffee Cup Cafe. Tables were beautifully decorated in purple and white and the places were marked by individual miniature Elks." "The fourteen officers selected to guide the destinies of the new order were formally installed by U. District Attorney Joe Burke, Grand Esteemed Lecturing Knight, of Los Angeles." "The officers impressively installed were: A. (Al) Tomblin, Exalted Ruler: C. Dickey, Esteemed Lecturing Knight; K. V. Wolff, Esteemed Leading Knight; Albert Rohrs, Esteemed Loyal Knight; C. Adams, Tiler; Harry Huff, Inner Guard; T. Elijah, Secretary; W. Clement. Treasurer; Carl Pister, Chaplain; Stanley Mansur, Esquire; Paul Clark, Organist; Fred Baier, Trustee; Dr. J. Crawford, Trustee and A. Todhunter, Trustee." "Many beautiful gifts, including a magnificent set of antlers (which are still in use) and an American flag were presented to the new Lodge. The antlers were given by the Santa Ana Lodge, while the flag was presented by State Association of Elks. In addition, substantial checks, cash and other gifts were showered upon the baby Lodge." "At the conclusion of the ceremonies the assemblage proceeded to the Elks club rooms in the Ehlen and Smith Building where an attractive entertainment program was given. Among the entertainers were professional vaudeville acts, along with numerous visiting Elks who sang and gave short talks. An excellent string band of Orange Elks furnished the music." (Unfortunately the names of these musically inclined members were not included in the story). "Exalted Ruler Al Tomblin, warmly congratulated by Joe Burke, upon his selection as leader of the new Lodge, received a tremendous ovation as he took his station on the platform. Other officers were also roundly applauded." "The affair was terminated late last night by a buffet luncheon served to about 500 visiting Elks by Duffy, Santa Ana Elks chef, who was loaned to the local order for the occasion." "The new Lodge starts with a membership of 53, all former Santa Ana members, but it is understood that something like 100 applications for membership have been filed with Secretary Elijah." Read More at http://www.elks1475.org/history.shtml
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Editor's note: This material was taken from a pamphlet printed to commemorate the lodge's 50th anniversary, and therefore contains nothing of the years since then.
