Taft, Calif. —
Here is a brief history of Freemasonry on the Westside compiled by Kenneth Cooper.
The first Masonic Lodge on the West Side was instituted on October 17, 1911, as Midway Lodge No. 426. It first met in the Redmen’s Hall in the Smith Bros. Building, then after two years moved into the Odd Fellows Hall across the street.
Ten years later, the lodge’s first owned Temple was constructed in 1923 on North Street, where it continues to meet.
The second Masonic Lodge chartered was Maricopa Lodge No. 434, which was instituted on February 6, 1913. It first met in the Coons & Price Hall and then in the Palace Hall, but after twenty-four years there it opted to purchase the Odd Fellows Hall where it had originally held meetings. The lodge met in peace until the morning of July 21st when the 1952 Earthquake happened. Of all the lodges on the West Side, their Temple was the only one damaged beyond repair. For five years the lodge met at Temblor Lodge in Fellows until 1957 when the Lodge occupied its newly constructed Temple built on the foundation of the old building.
more A brief history of Freemasonry in Taft - Taft, CA - Taft Midway Driller
Here is a brief history of Freemasonry on the Westside compiled by Kenneth Cooper.
The first Masonic Lodge on the West Side was instituted on October 17, 1911, as Midway Lodge No. 426. It first met in the Redmen’s Hall in the Smith Bros. Building, then after two years moved into the Odd Fellows Hall across the street.
Ten years later, the lodge’s first owned Temple was constructed in 1923 on North Street, where it continues to meet.
The second Masonic Lodge chartered was Maricopa Lodge No. 434, which was instituted on February 6, 1913. It first met in the Coons & Price Hall and then in the Palace Hall, but after twenty-four years there it opted to purchase the Odd Fellows Hall where it had originally held meetings. The lodge met in peace until the morning of July 21st when the 1952 Earthquake happened. Of all the lodges on the West Side, their Temple was the only one damaged beyond repair. For five years the lodge met at Temblor Lodge in Fellows until 1957 when the Lodge occupied its newly constructed Temple built on the foundation of the old building.
more A brief history of Freemasonry in Taft - Taft, CA - Taft Midway Driller