Grand Rapids Lodge No. 48- A Brief History

On August 15, 1886, just eighteen years after the Order of Elks was founded in New York City, a group of Grand Rapids citizens led by Charles W. Chauncy, our first Secretary, founded Elkdom’s 48^th Lodge in Grand Rapids, Michigan; originally called the Daisy Lodge.

Lodge 48’s first home was in the Godfrey Building at Ionia & Monroe.  As the Lodge grew, we occupied space in several other downtown buildings, until constructing our own beautiful 4-story lodge building in 1911 at Lyon and Ottawa Avenues.

In 1963, urban renewal forced Lodge 48 to find a new home, and we purchased the Grand Rapids Country Club at our present location on Leonard Street NW for $475,000, a sizable sum at the time.  The existing building was used as a golf facility and a new Lodge building was built and occupied in February, 1964.  This building is essentially the Western half of our present facility.

In the early 90’s, as a result of revenues from hosting a number of PGA Senior Tour tournaments, we were able to tear down the old Grand Rapids golf facility and build a new golf facility, locker rooms and dining rooms at the Eastern end of the building.  In addition, we completely renovated and redecorated that portion of the building which was constructed in the early 60’s.

Over the years, our membership roster has included a veritable “who’s who” of Grand Rapids civic and business leaders, including a large number of city Mayors, and former President Gerald R. Ford.  At several times in Lodge 48’s existence, we have had the largest membership in the United States, with our present membership exceeding 1,700 and growing rapidly.

The Grand Rapids Lodge has been named an “All America” lodge and enjoys an enviable reputation throughout Elkdom as one of the country’s top Lodges in membership, facilities and accomplishments.

The Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks of the USA (BPOE)

The BPOE is one of the oldest and largest private social organizations in the United States. The first formal meeting was held on February 16, 1868, in New York City.  Fifteen people turned out, most of them young, undiscovered but budding actors who had gathered for companionship and to help their out-of-work peers.

The idea caught on and spread to other groups and other cities.  As it grew, the new organization broadened its membership base to include all occupations. Today there are nearly 1.3 million members of the Elks in 2,200 local “Lodges” found throughout all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and several overseas locations.

Early in its history, the Elks supported groups such as the Salvation Army and the Red Cross.  In 1871, they staged a benefit for the victims of the great Chicago fire.   Money was raised for victims of the Seattle fire and the Johnstown flood in 1889.  The Elks were one of the first on the scene to supply money and rescue assistance during the San Francisco earthquakes of 1906 and 1989, and more recently, the Oklahoma city bombing and the Red River flood victims.  As always, disaster relief continues to play an important part in Elks activities.

The Elks National Foundation, the philanthropic arm of the organization, was created in July 1928 as an income-producing fund to help support national Elks projects and supplement programs at the state and local Lodge levels.  Annually, the Foundation awards more than $2 million in scholarships to 500 high school students across the nation, and emergency educational grants are also provided to children of members who have died or been disabled.  In addition, many state associations and local Lodges offer scholarships.

Each year, Lodge members and their families give more than 5.9 mission volunteer hours to charitable, educational and patriotic causes in their communities. The elks annually contribute more than $133 million to these programs.

Youth programs are a primary focus of the Elks.  Lodges sponsor more than 1,000 Scout troops and 3,000 Little League teams, as well as Boys & Girls clubs.  One of the most important youth programs in recent years has been the annual free throw shooting contest for boys & girls from ages 8 to 13.  More than 3 million youngsters from all 50 states participate yearly in the “Hoop Shoot^®” contest is the largest coeducational sports event in the country.

The Elks Drug Awareness Program was introduced into the Order at the Grand Lodge convention in July 1983, where the Elks announced a nationwide campaign to help combat drug abuse among young people.  The goal of the program is prevention, to stop drug abuse before it starts by educating our youth about the adverse effects of marijuana, cocaine and alcohol, the “gateway” drugs most prevalent among our young people.

The Elks made a promise during World War I that disabled veterans of our country would never be forgotten.  In World War I, the Order of Elks supplied and equipped the first two field hospitals in France.  For returning wounded, the Elks constructed a hospital in Boston then donated it to the War Department.  Elks Lodges throughout the country work with the veterans and veteran hospitals in their areas.  Whether it be conducting bingo games, patio picnics, fishing trips and many other projects, or just visiting with and writing letters for the veterans – the Elks are always there.

For more than 129 years, the Elks have been there, making a difference in their communities, their states and their country.