For several years after World War II, a number
of Cortez residents, who held Elks Lodge memberships, held
discussions about forming a Lodge in Cortez.
In 1949, serious steps were taken to form a Lodge in Cortez.
Many of the members belonged to #507 in Durango, while others
held memberships in Farmington, New Mexico, Telluride, Grand
Junction and other cities.
A group of Elks numbering around 50 was headed by W. V. (Pete)
Dunlap and Jim Barrett. Others included J. E. Bertwell, Wilkes
Bozman, Ed McKelvey, Jack Majors, Dr. Thomas Quinn, George
Armstrong, Harold Tanner, Bill McCabe, Warren Pyle and R.
N. Usher.
To help finance the new Lodge, Elks members were asked to
purchase honor bonds to be paid back. The old W.O.W. hall
on South Chestnut was leased to serve as the new home. The
building was remodeled and included a clubroom, kitchen, dining
room and a meeting room.
New members were recruited, and the new Lodge was instituted
on February 5, 1950. The ceremony was held for 134 candidates
and 54 members who dimited from other Lodges. This ceremony
was held at the high school gym and attended by a large number
from Colorado West and the Colorado State Association, as
well as nearby neighboring states.
Durango Lodge #507 conducted the initiation and other events.
The new Lodge officers included: James E.
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Barret, Exalted Ruler; W. V. Dunlap, Esteemed
Leading Knight; Wilkes E. Bosman, Esteemed Loyal Knight; Werner
Helms, Esteemed Lecturing Knight; Edwin McKelvey, Secretary;
Rollin N. Usher, Treasurer; Floyd C. Bradfield, Esquire; James
A. Majors, Tiler; Clark R. Hickman, Chaplain; James E. Berwell,
Jr., Inner Guard; and Trustees George Armstrong, William R.
McCabe and Harold Tanner.
With the Lodge growing in membership in the early sixties,
plans were underway to build a new home. The new home was
to be financed by honor bonds. The Lodge was also financially
sound. A site near the municipal golf course was obtained
partly through land donations of two Lodge members, J. T.
Wilkerson and Les Gawith. Construction was completed in the
fall of 1967, and the home was formally dedicated early in
1968. A mortgage burning ceremony followed a few years later.
The Cortez Lodge has had the honor of hosting several District
and State Association gatherings, as well as Ritual Contests.
Five members of the Lodge had the honor to serve as District
Deputies of Colorado West. They include James Barrett, Werner
Helms, Dean Hansen, Robert Helms and Delbert Borrelli.
The Lodge has continued to grow over the years and, in addition
to many Lodge projects, have undertaken various community events.
The membership is currently around 700 members. |
