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(This account of the history of Staunton Elks Lodge #351 is incomplete and remains a "work-in-progress.")
History of Staunton Elks Lodge #351 Background To better understand the history of Stanton Elks Lodge #351, we should remember that in the late 19th Century, fraternal organization flourished across the nation and functioned largely as social networks and mutual aid societies for their members.Staunton was a thriving community in the late 19th Century. Staunton had to overcome a very destructive 1896 flood, but began the 20th century with a new five-and-a-half-mile streetcar system in addition to a large supply of new and beautifully restored buildings thanks to the talented architect T.J. Collins. The description given for Staunton in Chataigne's Augusta County, Virginia Gazetteer and Classified Business Directory for 1888: Population 1887: over 10,000 In 1888 Staunton was the largest city in the Shenandoah Valley and the eighth largest city in Virginia. Served by the Chesapeake and Ohio and the Valley branch of B&O railways as well as a major wagon trail (now U.S highway 11), Staunton had a well developed hospitality industry with ample hotel accommodations. The community had met the population threshold of 5,000 to be eligible to petition the Grand Lodge for a Charter to establish a local Elks Lodge of the Benevolent Protective Order of the Elks (B.P.O.E.). Although many fraternal lodges existed in Staunton in 1896, a local lodge of the Benevolent Protective Order of the Elks (founded in 1868.) had not yet been established. The Grand Lodge had been in existence for 28 years when Stanton Elks Lodge #351 became the 351st local Elks Lodge to be granted a charter by the Grand Lodge of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. 1896 A Lodge of Elks was organized on August 7, 1896 in the City of Staunton in the Improved Order of Red Men's Hall. The lodge began existence with 30 members. The instituting officers for Lodge 351 were from Richmond, VA and were lead by Thomas W. Leath , Grand Exalted Ruler of Virginia. The following officers were selected for the Staunton Lodge:W. F. Summerson, Exalted Ruler John McQuaide, Esteemed Leading Knight Thomas J.Crowder, Esteemed Loyal Knight Dr. M. O. Burkholder, Esteemed Lecturing Knight Heber Ker, Secretary M. Valz, Treasurer A. Thomas Kivlighan, Tiler John B. Guntner, Trustee M. Hounihan, Trustee J. J. Kilgallen, Trustees. On August 7, 1896, the above Instituting Officers were honored at a banquet at the Virginia Hotel. The "Richmond State" (Richmond Lodge's newsletter) recognizing the trip of the instituting party to Staunton stated "The Richmond Elks are loud in their praises of the new Staunton brethren and predict a big future for the Staunton Lodge, which starts with a membership of thirty-five." Newspaper articles on the organization of Lodge #351 appeared in the Staunton Spectator on August 12, 1896 and the Staunton Vindicator on August 14, 1896. And thus, the general public first became aware of a fine new lodge organization. Staunton Lodge #351 had its first lodge rooms in rented quarters- the back portion of the top floor of the Crowle Building on W. Beverly Street. When Lodge 351 was barely two months old, the Crowle building was severely damaged by a flood on September 29th. One whole corner wall of the room collapsed and the significance of flood damage remained visible even after the wall was rebuilt. The lodge room is still intact at this writing because other lodges and organizations have secured it as a lodge hall over the years, notably the Odd Fellows and the Knights of Pythias. The original inner door is still in place. Lodge records indicate that by the end of 1896, a total of 38 members had been initiated. The oldest member was 59, the youngest 23 and the median age of the membership was 40. Occupations of the members included eight merchants, eight clerks, two contractors, two traveling salesmen, two managers (one managed the Globe Brewery), the City Superintendent of Streets, the City Commissioner of Revenue, one clerk-bookkeeper, a city sergeant of police, a deputy sheriff, a physician, a druggist, an attorney, a hotel proprietor, an insurance agent, a ticket broker, a plasterer (for both plain and ornamental plastering), a plumber and the janitor of the Opera House. 1897 to 1911 The Lodge membership continued to grow. By December 1903, 197 members had been initiated. The membership rolls included 11 lawyers,, 5 physicians, a judge, a justice of the peace, several city and county commissioners and a 22 year old actor.0 In 1898 Lodge #351 acted as the sponsor for the formation of Lodge #450 in Harrisonburg, VA. This marked the beginning of a special relationship between the two lodges that lasted well into the 21st century. On Sunday, December 3, 1911 Lodge #351 conducted a memorial service at the Beverly Theater. The program for the occasion listed 236 members and 23 deceased members. Three of deceased members served as Lodge officers in 1896. The program included music provided by the Stonewall Jackson Band, the Union Chorus and a soloist from Washington, D.C. |
Edgar Jones, III, Lodge Esquire:  
Most of the material in this account of the history of Lodge #351 is the result of research by Edgar "Ed" Jones. Ed Jones has been a member of Lodge #351 since 1970 and has served as Lodge Esquire since 1980 which makes him the longest continuously serving Officer in Lodge #351. In 2007 he was voted a Life Member in Lodge #351. Ed has lived in Staunton area since 1950 when he was a cadet at Augusta Military Academy. He has an avocation to," Make old things work." An example of this avocation is a restored 1929 Model A (pictured above) that he drives almost daily around town. On his Lodge history research, he says, "I like to know the history of this organization because I'm part of it and it's relevant." The Flood of 1896:
A major flood on September 29, 1896 a major flood caused extensive damage throughout the Wharf and downtown area including the Crowle Building to the right. Lodge #351 had their rooms on the top floor. The gapping hole on the top floor is the location of the Exalted Ruler's room. The back corner was rebuilt and the structure survives today. This view is looking north on S. Central Avenue. An Elk Post Card Circa 1909: 
The greeting "Hello, Bill" originated in Minneapolis during the Elks' National Re-Union in that city in 1897. In a day or two the custom spread to the streets, with Elks from all parts of the country, and passing each other they sang out cheerfully, "Hello Bill!" and they carried the greeting back to their home lodges. This postcard is circa 1909. The rolling pin may be an indication that some of our Elk Brothers were not going home until several hours after the 11 O'clock Toast was given. To view more vintage Elk post cards, click here. Cover of 1911 Memorial Service Program:  |