Efforts to start an Elks Lodge in Montrose began as early
as 1902 when several persons from the Montrose area, who had
been charter members of the Ouray Lodge, began meeting. One
of Montrose’s forefathers, Hugo Selig, ultimately attended
a session of the Grand Lodge and convinced them that, although
Montrose itself did not have the required population to institute
a lodge, there was ample surrounding population to justify
the existence of a lodge. The charter was granted in 1906.
The official organization of the Lodge was held on November
30, 1906, with representatives attending from Colorado lodges
as far away as Colorado Springs. The entire town of Montrose
was decorated with purple and white buntings for the occasion.
The members of 1053 met at the Knights of Pythia hall for
several years, while formulating plans and acquiring property
on which to build their own building. The first property purchases
were made in 1907, with additional lots being obtained in
1909. The property was used as a public gathering place, complete
with bandstand, for several years following the acquisition.
In 1917, although they had yet to build their own building,
the Montrose Lodge hosted a gathering of Elks unprecedented
for the time. A banquet of 560 plates was served to the visiting
Brothers. The only place in Montrose big enough for the event
was the newly
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constructed Hartman Brothers Garage.
In mid-1926, the efforts to build a home were finally coming
to fruit. A contract was let on August 13 of that year. The
building, located on the corner of South First and Cascade,
was officially occupied on May 26, 1927. While many think
the Elks always had a bar, the actual bar was not really installed
until November 28, 1948. The building was occupied until 1969.
At that time, a new facility was built on over seven acres
of land on the outskirts of Montrose. That facility is still
the home of Montrose Elks Lodge #1053. It boasts an R-V Park
and the capacity to seat well over 300 persons for dinner.
Like all Elks Lodges, Montrose has suffered financial difficulties
and has had to curb some of the member services over the past
years. Somehow, they always manage to survive and have kept
their club room open daily, where they meet their members,
both local and visiting, with open arms. They have been the
catalyst for building a hospital in 1948, a National Guard
Armory in 1956 and a substantial scholarship program, which
began in 1960 and is still going strong. The Montrose Lodge
was among the first investors in the community golf course
and has provided meeting facilities for a number of service
organizations over the years. |
