Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks of the United States of America, La Crosse Lodge, No. 300 Records
Scope and Contents
This collection consists of by-laws, rules of order, social & community welfare committee correspondence and meeting minutes related to the Elks.
Dates
- 1915-1969 (bulk 1958-1969)
- Majority of material found within 1958 - 1969
Creator
- Elks (Fraternal order). La Crosse Lodge, No. 300 (Organization)
Access to Materials
Materials in this collection are available for patron use.
Historical Note
Timeline of the Organization
- 4-6-1895
- A Lodge was founded with a banquet at Cameron House, and H.E. Pierpont was hailed as the first Exalted Ruler.
- 6-15-1895
- The Lodge leased Gund's Hall on 4th and Jay Streets.
- 1904
- The headquarters were moved to the Linker Building on 4th and Main Streets.
- 1907
- The headquarters were moved to the old La Crosse Theatre Building on 5th Avenue South.
- 5-13-1911
- the Lodge planned to occupy a new building at the southeast corner of 5th and State Streets, designed by Percy C. Bentley, at a projected cost of $35,000.
- 1912
- A lease was taken on the building at 5th and State Streets.
- 4-28-1921
- The building at 5th and State Streets was purchased.
- 3-31-1930
- Indebtness in the building at 5th and State Streets was paid.
- 1924-1925
- The Elks raised $10,000 toward a Pettibone Island bathing beach and bathhouse project, would cost $28,545 in total.
- 1939
- The Elks provided funds for constructing an outdoor swimming area at Camp Decorah, giving area Boy Scouts a 220 by 120 foot pool.
- 1958
- A second floor Bar and Dining Room was remodeled.
- 1963
- The outside of the building was renovated.
- 1966
- The first floor was remodeled, to add a dining room, bar, and elevator.
- 1968
- May 1968 the Elks founded a non-profit Wisconsin corporation to aid children with cerebral palsy as their major state project.
- 1970
- 75th Anniversary of the La Crosse B.P.O.E. 300 Elks Lodge.
- The "365 club" was also expected to provide substantial income, each member was asked to contribute $3.65, "a penny a day" for crippled children.
- The annual Seal Program in December provided one of the major sources of revenue.
- 5-2-1980
- The state organization spent about $300,000 in various charitable causes, including $125,000 for crippled children programs.
- 5-23-1982
- "Loan closet" money was raised with dues and a $5 a year contribution from Lodge members.
- The Lodge had a "loan closet" at Gunderson Clinic with $3,000 to $4,000 worth of appliances for people with cerebral palsy.
- 12-24-91
- The building was sold because Lodge membership decreased to 360 members, though it had been 1200 at one time.
- The building at 130 5th Avenue North was sold to La Crosse businessman Kenneth P. Smith.
- 1995
- 100th Anniversary of Lodge founding in La Crosse.
- 8-28-1997
- The Lodge moved its regular meetings from the Imperial Restaurant, 1815 Ward Avenue, to the Lighthouse on Nob Hill, 912 2nd Avenue North, in Onalaska.
Extent
0.2 Cubic Feet
Language of Materials
English
Abstract
The Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks of the United States of America, La Crosse Lodge, No. 300 was founded Apr. 4, 1895, moved several times (within La Crosse) to accomodate changing numbers of membership, and raised money for charitable work that focused on people with cerebral palsy.
Materials are arranged in alphabetical order and include by-laws, rules of order, social & community welfare committee correspondence and meeting minutes related to the Elks.
Arrangement
The Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks of the United States of America, La Crosse Lodge, No. 300 Records are arranged alphabetically by topic.
Acquisitions Information
Purchased from the Ken Jenkerson Estate.
(Accession No. 2003.039)
Physical Description
1 archives box
Processing Information
Processed by Benjamin H. Lang, June 2012.
Creator
- Elks (Fraternal order). La Crosse Lodge, No. 300 (Organization)
- Title
- Guide to the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks of the United States of America, La Crosse Lodge, No. 300 Records, 1915-1969 (bulk 1958-1969)
- Status
- Completed
- Author
- Benjamin H. Lang
- Date
- 2012 June
- Description rules
- Describing Archives: A Content Standard
- Language of description
- English
- Script of description
- Code for undetermined script
- Language of description note
- English
Repository Details
Part of the La Crosse Public Library Archives Repository