Presented to the Lodge May 29, 1951 on the celebration of their 80th Anniversary and the burning of the last mortgage.

The original copy of this report is on file at the Grand Lodge of Iowa Library & Museum, 813 1st Ave SE, Cedar Rapids, IA.

Worshipful Master, Distinguished Guests, Brother Masons, and Friends:

Upon the 80th anniversary of Canopy Lodge No. 290 and the celebration of the burning of the last mortgage on this building, our Worshipful Master has asked that I speak on the history of this building.

To begin at once to discuss only the history that pertains to the building of our present temple would be like opening an interesting book in the middle and reading therefrom to the end.

On the front of this building appears the date “1895” but that is not the date of the laying of the foundation of this edifice, the true date is June 4, 1870. That is the date a few Master Masons, raised in other lodges, but residing in this community, being desirous of sharing the true principles and teachings of Masonry with other men in the community who might be found to be worthy and well qualified to receive the secrets of a Master Mason, petitioned the Grand Lodge for permission to organize a lodge in Oxford.

Comment on Original Petition for Dispensation

Tonight I hold before you a Photostat copy of the original petition that was signed and presented to the Worshipful Grand Master, and the accompanying certificate of the Master of the Iowa City Lodge.

Dispensation Granted June 27, 1870

Charter Granted June 7, 1871

Brother Parvin presided at the first election of officers of Canopy Lodge for the coming year and saw that they were duly installed.

The officers installed at this meeting were:

• J. H. McFarland, Worshipful Master
• E. R. Wallace, Senior Warden
• Thomas Heifner, Junior Warden
• John Saxton, Treasurer
• C. T. Estabrook, Secretary

I mention these names because of the important roll some of these men, and especially one in particular, played in the history of this lodge for 40 continuous years after his installation.

Progress During Dispensation

On December 31, 1870, John E. Douglass, an Entered Apprentice from Zion Lodge #51 was the first to be made a Master Mason. However, on the same evening, Daniel Meyers also was made a Master Mason, and to him goes the honor of being the first man to receive all three degrees in Canopy Lodge.

During the year of dispensation these pioneer Masons of Oxford demonstrated their brotherly love and tolerance by sharing their hall with the Lodge of Good Templars and with the congregation of the Baptist Church, both of which were struggling for a foothold in the community.

On the same evening the charter was received, it was voted to increase the dues from 50¢ per year to $1, and charge $5 for each degree.

Financial Difficulties

• The Tyler received 50¢ per night, and the Secretary’s dues of $1 per year were remitted for his services.
• On April 20, 1872, a large Bible was purchased for $8 and this has been used for the past 79 years in all degree work put on by Canopy Lodge.

The secretary’s books reveal that even during the early period of striving for a foothold here, occasionally a Master Mason forgot his obligation and it was necessary to set him straight. On one occasion a committee was appointed to iron out some difficulties between the Worshipful Master and a member of the lodge, which resulted in both meeting, as true Masons should, in the center of the lodge, both coming half way, shaking hands and agreeing to let the past be forgotten.

In those early days officers were elected every 6 months.

It is interesting to note that the first Worshipful Master of Canopy Lodge died January 1875, and the lodge voted $2 for the digging of his grave.

Early Oxford Masons took their obligations seriously. In April 1875, a charge of un-masonic conduct was preferred against a brother resulting in the lodge voting a reprimand, which the Master proceeded to give. On another occasion a brother in good standing was suspended for going into the saloon business, while still another was suspended for defrauding a brother of $4.

Rent Situation A Problem

Building Across the Street

The proposition was accepted and a committee was appointed to procure a marble slab suitably inscribed with the emblem of the order. This was done at a cost of $5.60 and this same slab is still on the building, although it has since been painted over.

As soon as it appeared Canopy Lodge was to have a new home, a committee was appointed to draw up a diagram of the new hall and present this to the builders for their guidance in arranging the hall, anti-rooms, etc.

Enter New Building

“We wish you all a pleasant and enjoyable time, and if in the midst of your banquet, the pleasure of the hour, you should give but one passing thought to him through whose aid and instrumentality Canopy Lodge No. 290 had it’s beginning, yea, was founded, I shall be satisfied.”

Signed: Mrs. Marie McFarland

Thinking of Acquiring Own Building

This came to a climax on December 4, 1886, when C. T. Estabrook headed a committee "to interview property holders with a view of purchasing a local habitation and a home for Canopy Lodge and mature a plan to raise sufficient means to purchase the same.”

A month later the committee made a report that was not very encouraging. R. J. Miller, father of R. Neilson Miller, our present Clerk of the District Court of Johnson County, was named on the committee, and from then on things began to shape up.

On March 5, 1887, the committee reported they could purchase the ground on which this building is now standing and the adjacent store building for $1,150. For an additional $600 they could get the remainder of the block south, except for a 20 ft. piece fronting on Augusta Ave., the street in front of this building.

Purchase This Ground

The next day, E. A. Doty, one of the trustees, went with W. F. Sies, the owner of the property, to Iowa City and after examining the title, the deed was made to the trustees. Nothing was paid but a mortgage was taken for the $1,750 payable in six (6) years. As brother Clearman will tell you about the mortgage on this building, I will refrain from saying any more about that subject.

What Was Included in Purchase

Next door to the south of this vacant lot were two frame, two story buildings, and further south was a narrow one story building used for storing machinery. Next to this was a blacksmith shop.

The second floor of the first building south of the vacant corner lot was to be used for the lodge room, and after the purchase of this property in March 1887, Oxford Masons let no grass grow under their feet in getting moved into their new lodge building.

The same evening it was voted to purchase the property, a committee which included J. H. Nesmith, A. J. Miller, H. N. Linebarger and C. T. Estabrook was named to move the lodge effects at once to the new building. By the next regular meeting, April 2, 1887, the lodge had been moved and the committee was given a rising vote of thanks “for their untiring efforts in the discharge of their duties and the magnificent manner in which they have fitted up our new hall.”

Evidently, W. H. Poole, though not a member of the moving committee did a lot of work about the hall and he was given “a vote of thanks for his labors in repairing and fixing up the beautiful hall.”

Realizing that more money would be needed to help carry the additional financial load of the new property, the dues were raised from $2.75 to $4.

First Master Mason in New Quarters

Sometime previous to February 1, 1890, the I.O.O.F. were trying to get organized in Oxford, and at the February meeting Oxford Masons granted them permission to use the Masonic hall for the purpose of organization. They continued to rent the hall for the next three years, perhaps longer, at a rental of $75 per year.

Motion to Sell Out

Did Not Sell

On March 9, 1895, we find that C. T. Estabrook moved that Canopy Lodge erect a brick building on the corner (our present location). After all brothers present had spoken (there were sixteen present) the motion was carried unanimously.

And then, as now, when a brother gets up to propose something new, he finds himself the first to head a committee to carry out the suggestion. Brother E. D. Jones, (father of R. P. Jones) A. J. Miller, G. D. McCammon, and Louis Karsten.

It is interesting to note the various occupations of these who composed the building committee;

• C. T. Estabrook was the depot agent
• E. D. Jones was a grain dealer
• A. J. Miller was hardware and implement dealer
• G. D. McCammon was a jeweler
• Louis Karsten was a telegraph operator at Homestead, Iowa and later a banker here.

R. J. Miller, Master of the lodge in 1895, knew what he was doing when he appointed C. T. Estabrook chairman of the Masonic Building Committee, because Brother Estabrook had been on the building committee which built the First Presbyterian Church here in 1872, the same building that is now being used by the Zion Lutheran Congregation.

Building Committee Goes To Work

During the time the building committee was at work they must have learned that the bank building which now stands across the street and then under construction was to be three stories. Should the Masonic building be three stories also? After thoroughly discussing the matter in the lodge, A. J. Miller, a member of the building committee moved that the new building be made two stories and the motion was carried.

Two weeks later, on April 16, Chairman Estabrook reported in further detail the cost of the new building, and submitted plans. The lodge recessed to examine these and it was decided upon a straight stairway. Evidently this was later changed before construction got too well along.

Committee Needed Funds

The building committee was empowered to see what they could do in getting money to build and also to proceed at once with construction.

A special meeting was called for April 27 at which time the Building Committee reported that they had made arrangements to borrow $3,000 for 3 years at 7% and it was their opinion that amount would be sufficient with what the lodge had on hand. The committee had shopped around for stone for the foundation and reported they could procure Cedar Valley stone from Cedar Rapids for less than stone from Iowa City, and the lodge voted for the Cedar Valley stone.

Eugene Henely, who for a number of years was superintendent of Oxford schools, sensing some of the problems the building committee would be beset with, moved that the committee be instructed to use their best judgment in regard to letting the contracts for the different parts of the building. After some discussion the motion was carried.

The matter of the stairway still have been a perplexing one because Chairman Estabrook submitted his plan for the stairway and the lodge recessed 5 minutes to study. No official action is reported on the matter other than George Cook moved that the committee proceed at once with the building.

Before too much could be done, the north outside stairway of the first building south of the corner lot on which this building now stands, had to be taken down. This stairway extended out over the lot 4 or 5 feet.

At the regular meeting May 4, 1895, the building committee reported they had removed the protruding stairway and sold the lumber therein; had let the contract for the foundation stone; and had the drain tile laid to the site of the cellar; had established the width of the lot to be 34 ft. 10 inches, and now put it up to the lodge to decide how wide they wanted the building to be.

Decide On Width Of Building

• Louis Karsten thought it ought to be 32 ft. 8 inches wide but no one would second his motion.
• Brother Klump thought it should be the full length and breadth of the lot but no one would second his motion.
• A. J. Miller of the building committee thought it should be 32 ft. His motion was seconded but after a full discussion was voted down.
• Then Brother Klump came up with another motion to make it 34 ft. wide but no one would second his motion.
• Finally Ed Linkhart got up, expressed his views and moved the width be 32 ft. 8 in. and after further discussion, it was carried. So to Ed Linkhart goes the credit for setting the width of the present building. However, this was the same width that Karsten had first proposed.

Lodge Meets Every Week

At the June 1st meeting Chairman Estabrook reported that the foundation would soon be completed. After a lengthy discussion Louis Karsten proposed that pressed brick be used on the west and north sides of the building facing the streets, and this was carried.

It should be stated here that John Oxer, who had been made a Master Mason in Canopy Lodge, operated the first brick yard in Oxford which was on the site of our present athletic field. He made a soft sun-dried and baked brick which was used in many Oxford buildings built in the early days. His bricks were used by the Masonic building committee on the east and south walls of this building.

Building Progresses

At this meeting, E. Henely was appointed to head a committee to make suitable arrangements for the dedication of the building.

By Sept. 28, the building was ready to be plastered, and by Nov. 2, the committee reported that within another month the carpenters would complete their work.

Dedication Date Set

Dedication Called Off

First St. John’s Night

An oyster supper was served in the dining room. What we now use as a cloak room served as the dining room in those days.

An orchestra provided entertainment, and the secretary reports that; “after supper the host and guests wandered through the several apartments of the lodge room where the young people made merry.” This lasted into the wee small hours of the night, it is reported.

The next evening was regular lodge night and a communication from the Grand Master was read relative to the dedication. That was the last time a dedication was mentioned by the secretary. A careful search of the records fails to reveal that a dedication of any kind was ever held.

Committee Discharged

At this meeting a vote of thanks was given to the building committee as follows;

“We the members of Canopy Lodge No. 290 hereby tender our sincere and heartfelt gratitude to the Building Committee for their untiring labors. Skillful management, beautiful adornment and financial ability in the construction of our beautiful edifice.”

The Next 14 Years

On February 25, 1896, a little over a year after going into this building, the lodge was called together at a special meeting to consider whether or not the basement under the lodge building should be fitted up for a barber shop. After a lengthy discussion the matter was left in the hands of the trustees and they decided against the suggestion.

First Master Mason In The New Building

The second was Dr. F. E. Burbank, on June 13, 1896, who lived to be one of the great Masons of this lodge serving with distinction and honor in it’s various offices and becoming highly proficient in the work of the various degrees.

First Officers In New Building

• W. H. Poole, W.M.
• G. W. Cook, S.W.
• E. K. Linkhart, J.W.
• E. W. Sies, J.D.
• Louis Karsten, Secretary
• C. Gunzenhauser, Tyler

Give Away The Alley

Back in 1877, when J. W. Wilson and A. E. Wilson deeded lot 2 or the east portion of the land on which this building stands, to John Wagner, through whom Canopy Lodge eventually gained title, the west 10 feet which is now owned by me, was also deeded to Wagner, and through him to Canopy Lodge. The west ten feet of lot 3 was deeded with the stipulation that it was to be used as an alley way, and if used for other than that to revert to the grantors, J. W. and A. E. Wilson.

At the March meeting referred to above, C. T. Estabrook presented a petition to sell a strip of ground on the east side of Lot 2 to the Town of Oxford for public use. This was signed by 33 members.

E. K. Linkhart moved that the trustees deed the ground to the town of Oxford, and this was seconded by R. J. Miller, however, the Worshipful Master, F. E. Burbank declared the motion out of order.

Then C. T. Estabrook put his petition in the form of a motion and moved that it be spread on the records. Motion carried, and there on the record appears the petition in full with the names of all signers.

Then R. J. Miller moved that the Board of Trustees be instructed to deed 10 ft. more or less off the east side of Lot 2 to the Town of Oxford, but the Worshipful Master F. E. Burbank, declared the motion out of order. From this ruling, W. J. Hutchinson, seconded by R. F. Jones, moved an appeal from the ruling of the Worshipful Master. This was carried, and when R. K. Luse, the Senior Warden, put the motion, it “was carried almost.”

It is no wonder then that Brother Warthman and I could find no record of this in the Court House. Out of the digging into these early records has come to the Trustees the startling fact that according to records on file in the Court House, they may have some claim to the ownership of the entire 20 foot alley.

As long as I live on Lot 3, I am not going to scrap with Canopy Lodge about who owns the 10 ft strip west of our building.

Talk Of More Building In 1909

Special Meeting Called

At the August 7th meeting, Al Yenter, evidently dissatisfied with the progress the committee was making, wanted some facts and figures and he moved that the trustees and building committee find our the probable cost of either repairing the old buildings or tearing them down and building new ones. His motion prevailed. At this meeting it was brought out that if a new building was to be built it would be 66 ft. and 8 in. facing the street and extend back 60 feet.

Committee Reports

Two weeks later, August 28, 1909, C. T. Estabrook reported $3,500 had been secured for building purposes.

Committee Instructed To Proceed

R. P. Jones was made foreman of the project to first tear down the old building, sell what material was not usable and clear the ground for the new building.

One Story ?

Brother Jones tells me that the cement blocks used in the construction were made in Marengo, and every block was numbered according to the various rows so that when they were to be laid there would be no question as to which block went in place on each row. The design and plan for this was worked our by the Marengo manufacturer.

Elevator Installed

The building was completed before the close of 1909. It must be kept in mind that at that time no mention of using a portion of the new building for the dining room we now have.

Sell South Building

By the February 19, 1910 meeting the building committee was able to report to the lodge all the facts and figures concerning the cost of the new building. Their report was read, accepted and placed on file. I do not find any mention of a vote of thanks being given the committee for their efforts in completing the new structure.

Banquet Room Built

At the June 26, 1915 meeting, Brother A. I. McCleary, Oxford lumberman, moved that a committee be appointed to ascertain the probable cost of finishing the second floor room south of the hall for a banquet room. A. I. McCleary, J. W. Moffit and Henry Maske were named on the committee.

At the July 24th meeting, the committee reported the approximate cost of finishing the banquet room would be $525. This report was received and placed on file.

R. I. Clearman Wanted Action

His motion resulted in his being made chairman of a committee along with J. A. Klump and A. I. McCleary. This committee went to work at once. Every brother was asked to make a pledge toward the contemplated improvement, and at the next meeting August 21st, 1915, the committee reported $350 had been secured in pledges. It was then suggested that if the trustees would appropriate $250 additional from the income of the lodge property there would be sufficient to complete the project. The $250 was voted.

Work on the banquet room started before Sept. 1, 1915, and on October 16, the committee reported work was well underway and progressing nicely. R. I. Clearman further reported that he had turned over to the trustees $328 and there remained only $25 uncollected of the amount that had been pledged.

In November the committee reported the work would soon be completed, and at the December meeting it was reported that the costs and expenses of the improvements when complete would not exceed $700.

The first St. John’s banquet was held in the new banquet room on December 29, 1915, to which all Masons, Stars and their families attended. This was quite an event, and W. J. Hutchinson, Chairman, on Jan. 15, 1916, in his report to the lodge stated there were; “many compliments heard on the new dining room.”

On September 24, 1919, a vote of thanks was extended E. M. Hiefner for the gavel presented by him to Canopy Lodge in memory of his father, Thomas Hiefner who was one of the original signers of the petition to the Grand Lodge asking for the dispensation. It is my understanding this gavel has been used by the lodge since September 24, 1919.