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More Information on Occidental Lodge 72

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History:
Occidental Lodge No. 72 was chartered in 1891, making it 118  years old.  In 1891, Ballard was a city, and if things had of been just a little different back then, the current members might not today receive quite the look they do after entering "Ballard" rather than "Seattle" in the column reserved for the location of of a visitor's Lodge in the Tyler's Register.
Occidental built the building it currently occupies in 1924.  Pictured at right, it is located on the corner of N.W. Market St. and 20th Ave, in now Seattle, WA.  The street level is occupied by business tenants, and the second level is used by the Lodge and a number of other Masonic organizations which meet there.		 Back of Ballard Masonic Center
Masonic sign on rear of the building.  After extensive exterior renovation during the summer of 1999, the sign pictured above was re-painted.
Ballard Masonic Center from Market Street
Southeast corner, looking west down Market.		 In 1990, the members of Lawton Lodge No. 292, who met in the nearby neighborhood of Magnolia, merged into Occidental Lodge.  Again in 1999, another merger took place.  This time it was the members of Thomas M. Reed Lodge No. 225, who met on Capitol Hill.  Both mergers have made us stronger and blest us with great men and friends to grow with as well.  With about 300 members, we intend to remember our merged Lodge's histories, grow and continue the best traditions of Masonry and service to our community.
Masonic Affiliations: ag_flgusa.gif (10688 bytes) ag_flgcanada.gif (9324 bytes)

Occidental 72 has four affiliated Lodges with which it proudly maintains special Masonic relations:

  • Mt. Lebanon Lodge No. 72 of the Grand Lodge of Ancient Free and Accepted Masons of British Columbia in Vancouver, BC is Occidental's original sister Lodge.
  • Emerald Lodge No. 134 of the Grand Lodge of Ancient Free and Accepted Masons of British Columbia in Vancouver, BC was Lawton's sister Lodge.  It has since retired its Charter around 2004 and has been absorbed into neighboring Lodges.
  • Perfection Lodge No. 75 of the Grand Lodge Ancient Free and Accepted Masons of British Columbia in New Westminster, BC was Thomas M Reed's sister Lodge.
  • Hercules Lodge No. 17 of the Grand Lodge of Prince Hall Free and Accepted Masons of Washington and Jurisdiction in Seattle, WA is another special visiting Lodge.
Events:

One of the highlights of the social calendar is the annual Salmon BBQ we hold on the first Sunday in October.  We invite the residents of the Masonic Retirement Center in Des Moines, WA out for a feast.  Ballard is the seafood capitol of the Northwest (the known world), and we show 'em why.  Here are some of the guys starting the alder fire on sand in the parking lot.  Eventually, the steel covers are put on top of the fire, and then the specially prepared salmon fillets are put on racks in them.  The air is controlled to make the fire burn smoky, and gives the fish a perfect smoked taste.   It pleases even the pickiest of the Scandinavian members in this community.   Ya' sure !

 Smok'n da Salmon
Some of the members cook'n salmon on a beautiful October afternoon.
Bob, Ron, and Don present check to Mark
Presentation of check to Ballard Boys and Girls Club during their 1999 addition.		 Community Service:
Occidental Lodge members live in, support, and provide services to the surrounding community of Ballard and beyond.  Our charity work includes: starting successful extra reading programs at North Beach and Loyal Heights Elementary Schools, support of the Boys and Girls Club in Ballard, support for the North End Emergency Food Bank in Ballard, and supporting a number of other essential basic service organizations in the area.  In addition, we participate in other programs started or continued by our Masonic district, and state wide jurisdiction.

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Last updated on February 15, 2008