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It all
started April 22, 1889 Edmond Oklahoma, named after an official
of the Santa Fe railroad,
boomed over night on the treeless plains of Indian Territory. False fronted stores
and tents sprang up like weeds and by nightfall the population was
estimated at 300+-.
Among the early
pioneers were Masons from
Kansas, Arkansas, Texas and elsewhere. It was a matter of eleven months Edmond
Masonic Lodge had a charter #37 from Grand Lodge of Indian Territory. The first
meeting place, the 2nd floor of Central Hall, remained our home until October 1903 when
the upper story of Kirkland Drug Store at
105 South Broadway was purchased from Dr. John
W. Howard (pm 1897) for the sum of $1,100 to be paid in annual installments of $100 on the
first day of January of each year thereafter. The deferred payments drawing interest
at the rate of 8% per annum. The final payment was made on January 3, 1912 by Edmond
Chapter #36 RAM. Edmond Masonic Lodge met at this location for 70 years until
November 1964 moving to our current location.
The 1026 North Boulevard locations
was motivated by several factors not the least of which was Lother Smith condemning our
East Hall building because of its single entrance. On November 1, 1956 our current
location at NW1/4 Section 25 Township 14 was acquired. WM Floyd Picqutee and other brethren committed to purchase and remove buildings improvements at 30 East Second.
The contract stated "within 60 days after delivery, Buyer shall, at Buyer's
sole
cost, risk and expense remove said building improvements free and clear of all debris and
rubbish". Salvage from this undertaking raised sufficient
money to buy new brick
for our current lodge.
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