For hundreds of years, “secret societies” have impressed intrigue. Organizations with non-public conferences, unique membership, and in-group rituals could appear arcane, even suspicious, to the uninitiated. However as Whatcom County’s historical past exhibits, fraternal organizations have deep investments in public life.
Bellingham’s emergence from its 4 unique cities coincided with the “golden age of fraternalism.” Organizations such because the Freemasons, Worldwide Order of Odd Fellows, Knights of Pythias, Benevolent Protecting Order of Elks, Knights Templars, and Woodmen of the World captivated the area and nation all through the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries.
“It was the mainstay of social life,” says Whatcom Museum Archivist and Historian Jeff Jewell. “It’s pre-media, it’s pre-television, radio, and all the remaining. Folks had extra time for social life.”
Whatcom County’s fraternal organizations dovetailed into its thriving tradition of social golf equipment — intersecting with Aftermath Membership, Cascade Membership, Rotary Golf equipment, Lions Golf equipment, and extra. They funded establishments resembling orphanages, charities, and funerary rites.
rewrite this title The Not-So-Secret Historical past of Whatcom County’s Fraternal Organizations
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For hundreds of years, “secret societies” have impressed intrigue. Organizations with non-public conferences, unique membership, and in-group rituals could appear arcane, even suspicious, to the uninitiated. However as Whatcom County’s historical past exhibits, fraternal organizations have deep investments in public life.
Bellingham’s emergence from its 4 unique cities coincided with the “golden age of fraternalism.” Organizations such because the Freemasons, Worldwide Order of Odd Fellows, Knights of Pythias, Benevolent Protecting Order of Elks, Knights Templars, and Woodmen of the World captivated the area and nation all through the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries.
“It was the mainstay of social life,” says Whatcom Museum Archivist and Historian Jeff Jewell. “It’s pre-media, it’s pre-television, radio, and all the remaining. Folks had extra time for social life.”
Whatcom County’s fraternal organizations dovetailed into its thriving tradition of social golf equipment — intersecting with Aftermath Membership, Cascade Membership, Rotary Golf equipment, Lions Golf equipment, and extra. They funded establishments resembling orphanages, charities, and funerary rites.
Bellingham’s Masonic Corridor is likely one of the oldest native buildings nonetheless in use by a fraternal order that has occupied it for many years. Its lotus columns are subtly influenced by the Egyptian fashion. Photograph credit score: Anna Diehl
“De-mystified, they offered social connection, ritual, and, most significantly, insurance coverage,” Jewell says. “They buried you at minimal and, in lots of instances, offered on your widow and kids after you had been gone. Fraternal teams offered a security web and a social outlet, and most had a philanthropic element. Relying on the group in query, there was a Girls Auxiliary and even membership for one’s youngsters. Some had been unique alongside class divides, although Bellingham wasn’t a large enough metropolis to get too carried away with that.”
Fraternal Philanthropy
Most of Bellingham’s fraternal organizations began within the Eighties and Nineties, divided between north and south for New Whatcom and Fairhaven. Even Lynden, Blaine, Ferndale, Nooksack, and Sumas had lodges with membership over 50 or 100.
Lottie Roeder Roth’s Historical past of Whatcom County describes fraternal organizations’ public-facing philanthropy. The Masons bid farewell to World Conflict I servicemen reaching Fort Casey because the Masonic Fife and Drum Corps, later loaning “stunning requirements of the Allied nations” for Armistice Day. The Knights of Pythias led a band in Independence Day celebrations, and the Elks ran a Crimson Cross drive for $40,000.
The Knights of Pythias constructing additionally hosted a {hardware} enterprise that often modified palms. G.A. McIntosh {Hardware} Co. turned Adams & Co. in 1907, and finally Groom {Hardware} till 1972. Photograph credit score: Anna Diehl
“They had been actually individuals within the Tulip Competition, so every one in every of these teams had a big float,” says Jewell, “which was our huge foray into motor tourism within the introduction to the auto age.”
Many organizations loved overlapping membership from Bellingham’s main entrepreneurs.
“Nearly all of the captains of business and enterprise had been members of some fraternal order,” Jewell says. “1915, you had Humphrey Griggs, head of the Elks. They usually had an enormous state conference right here, which was an enormous deal.”
(Architectural) Masonry
Fraternal organizations created and occupied lots of Bellingham’s outstanding historic buildings.
The B.P.O.E. Constructing at 1414 Cornwall Avenue has been praised as probably the most spectacular fraternal lodges in Washington. Constructed by architect William Cox in 1912, its Neo-Classical Revival fashion consists of blond bricks, sandstone steps, and arched home windows. The constructing hosted first-floor workplaces and a second-floor assembly room and kitchen. Within the basement, members loved a gymnasium, billiard corridor, and bowling alley.
The B.P.O.E. Constructing was transformed within the Forties to take away the bowling alley and within the Sixties to maneuver the kitchen. Initially, an artwork glass marquee on the façade learn “Elks Membership.” Photograph credit score: Anna Diehl
The Elks quartet sang “Auld Lang Syne” on the constructing’s opening ceremony. They occupied it till transferring to 710 Samish Approach in 1971, having transformed many years earlier than.
From 1942 and into the Seventies, the Odd Fellows took up residence within the former YMCA constructing at 311 East Holly Road. In-built 1906, this stone and brick constructing hosted a gymnasium the Odd Fellows rebuilt into a gathering corridor.
The 1891 Knights of Pythias constructing at 1208 eleventh Road, in Fairhaven, acquired popularity of its grandstanding structure. The Richardson Romanesque construction ornamented with Chuckanut sandstone housed first-story enterprise storefronts alongside a number of halls.
“There have been plenty of different teams in there all on the identical time,” says Jewell. “There was an enormous assembly corridor on the highest ground of Knights of Pythias, and a smaller one on the second ground the place the Masons met.”
Established in Bellingham many years earlier than, the Odd Fellows shared the previous YMCA constructing with residential flats from the Forties by way of the Seventies. Photograph credit score: Anna Diehl
The Odd Fellows, Rathbone Sisters, Royal Neighbors of America, and Trendy Workmen of America are amongst different teams that met within the Masons’ society halls on separate days.
By the Twenties, the Knights of Pythias moved their conferences to Leopold Lodge and the Masons constructed their present-day house.
“There’s additionally the Masonic Temple on State, which is our solely constructing that has any kind of Egyptian revival architectural options,” Jewell says.
Fraternal Organizations As we speak
Though many have dwindling swimming pools of eligible members, fraternal organizations persist in Bellingham and nationwide. Whatcom Masonic Lodge # 151, Fraternal Order of Eagles #31, and Bellingham Elks Lodge #194 are among the many lodges nonetheless energetic domestically.
The Grand Military of the Republic, a fraternal group of Union veterans from the Civil Conflict, met within the T.G. Richards Constructing. Also referred to as the Territorial Courthouse constructing, it’s the oldest brick constructing within the state. Photograph credit score: Megan Peterson
In 1992, the B.P.O.E. Constructing was listed on the Nationwide Register of Historic Locations. Its makes use of over the many years have included a teenage nightclub, a number of eating places, and the present-day Bellingham Axe. The previous Odd Fellows Constructing now hosts The Orion, and the Knights of Pythias constructing hosts Colophon Café.
Regardless of views of fraternal organizations as unique, Jewell says, they tackle the identical social capabilities as public-facing establishments.
“When you get previous the mystification of it — which is all of the hoopla and secret handshakes and issues — it’s about insurance coverage,” says Jewell. “It’s about having some type of social web.”
