HISTORY OF LAKE HARRIET LODGE #277

The Grand Lodge of Ancient Free & Accepted Masons of Minnesota was organized in 1853 by Lodges in Minneapolis, St. Paul, and Stillwater.

The swampy land between Lake Harriet, Lake Calhoun and along the Minnehaha Creek were favorite hunting grounds for the Sioux and the Objibway Indians long before the white man arrived.

Later a country road passed through the Lake Harriet area and connected Hennepin Avenue with Minnetonka and became the right of way.  Consequently, the Lake Harriet District became the playground and recreation area with band concerts, picnic grounds, and other facilities. 

It was here in the Lake Harriet Commercial Club Building that Lake Harriet Lodge #277 Ancient Free & Accepted Masons was organized and received its Charter on January 23, 1913 and the Lodge was constituted March 4, 1913.  It was sponsored by Minnehaha Lodge #165 and their Past Master Worshipful Bert L. Smith presided in the East for the first degrees.

The Lake Harriet Lodge considered building a permanent home in that area and actually bought a lot across from the Lake Harriet Commercial Club Building.  But after long and serious committee meetings, twelve years later, they decided to buy the Lake Harriet Commercial Club Building on 42^nd and Upton.  This building only required a few changes and the Lodge was helped by the Lake Harriet Order of the Eastern Star #202, who furnished carpets, window drapes and a curtain for the stage.  The Chapter of  Royal Arch Masons furnished an Altar.

A special Meeting was held November 13, 1944 when the original Mortgage was paid off and burned in celebration.  The Lodge met in these facilities for many years.  The building showed the effects of wear and needed a new heating plant as well as the fact that there was no parking and the three flights of stairs began to take its toll.  This caused the Lodge to look for a newer building. 

They found a building which had been variously used as a Paint Store, an Auto Parts Store and an Office Building.

The Lake Harriet Lodge Company was duly organized as a non-profit corporation under and by virtue of the Laws of the State of Minnesota, October 29, 1923, as a subsidiary and title holding organization of the Lodge.   The purpose of this corporation was that of Owning, Furnishing, and providing property for the use of the Lodge.  According to the Minutes of the Lodge Company, on March 30, 1971, Director Van Doren moved that the Lodge Company be authorized to purchase the building at 4519 France Avenue South for $95,000 and obtain a mortgage not to exceed $40,000 and to sign such contracts as necessary to remodel it into a suitable Lodge Hall.

Director Van Doren also moved that the Lodge Company be authorized to complete the sale of the building at 2718-20 West 43^rd Street to Ralph Ditzler for $45,000 or more, both subject to approval of the Grand Lodge and the members of Lake Harriet Lodge. 

The Minutes of September 20, 1971 showed that Lake Harriet Lodge #277 held its first stated communication in the new building on this date at 7:45 P>M> with the following officers in their stations:  Lloyd Bergren  W.M., Ben Bruns  S.W., Larry Heller J.W.,  Bob McClennon S.D., Charles Calkins J.D., Knut Horneland Secretary, Bud Steinhilber Treasurer, Walter Johnson Tiler, Carl Malborg Chaplain. 

The First Degree conferred in the new building was on October 4, 1971 when Ronald Todd Emerson and Donald Arthur Anderson were initiated as the youngest Entered Apprentices.  Both candidates received their Master Mason Degree on November 8, 1971.  It is interesting to note that  Ronald Emerson was raised by his father Waldo Emerson who became Master of the Lodge in 1976.

The new building is now known as the Lake Harriet Masonic Center and is managed by the Lake Harriet Lodge Company. The Center is now home for three Masonic Lodges; Lake Harriet Lodge #277, Edina Lodge #343, Sunlight Lodge #323; three Orders of the Eastern Star; Lake Harriet Chapter O.E.S. #202; Lake Harriet Chapter of Royal Arch Masons #300; The Order of Lake Harriet Lodge just received a commendation from Dr. Raymond Smith the Superintendent of Edina Schools for their part in furnishing Glucometers for the Local Schools to aid diabetic students in controlling their blood sugars. Also for furnishing materials and a teaching program for the Health Associates of each school to learn the procedures of testing. The Lodge is actively seeking new ways in which to be of service to the community. Several new projects are being considered.

(To Be Continued)