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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)
MSS 136
Table of Contents
Summary Information
- 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.
- Collection Title
- Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks of the United States of America, La Crosse Lodge, No. 300 Records
- Date of Materials [bulk]
- Bulk, 1958-1969
- Date of Materials [inclusive]
- 1915-1969
- Creator
- Elks (Fraternal order). La Crosse Lodge, No. 300.
- Call Number
- MSS 136
- Amount
- 0.2 cubic feet
- Physical Description
- 1 archives box
- Language of Materials
- English
- Repository
- La Crosse Public Library Archives
- Location
- wlac
Preferred Citation
[Identification of item], Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks of the United States of America, La Crosse Lodge, No. 300 Records, MSS 136, La Crosse Public Library Archives, La Crosse, WI
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 annual Seal Program in December provided one of the major sources of revenue. 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. |
| 5-2-1980 | The state organization spent about $300,000 in various charitable causes, including $125,000 for crippled children programs. |
| 5-23-1982 | The Lodge had a "loan closet" at Gunderson Clinic with $3,000 to $4,000 worth of appliances for people with cerebral palsy. "Loan closet" money was raised with dues and a $5 a year contribution from Lodge members. |
| 12-24-91 | The building at 130 5th Avenue North was sold to La Crosse businessman Kenneth P. Smith. The building was sold because Lodge membership decreased to 360 members, though it had been 1200 at one time. |
| 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. |
Scope and Contents
This collection consists of 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.
Administrative Information
Publication Information
La Crosse Public Library Archives 2012 June
800 Main St.La Crosse, Wisconsin, 54601
(608) 789-7136
archives@lacrosselibrary.org
Access to Materials
Materials in this collection are available for patron use.
Acquisitions Information
Purchased from the Ken Jenkerson Estate.
(Accession No. 2003.039)
Processing Information
Processed by Benjamin H. Lang, June 2012.
Related Materials
Related Materials
- (366.5 G565 1945)
- Golden jubilee 50th anniversary : La Crosse Elks Lodge no. 300, April 5, 6, 7, 8, 1945
- (Clippings)
- La Crosse-Organizations-Elks Club
- (Ephemera)
- Organizations-Elks
- (Picture File)
- Organizations-Elks Club
Controlled Access Headings
Corporate Name(s)
- Elks (Fraternal order). La Crosse Lodge, No. 300.
Geographic Name(s)
- La Crosse (Wis.)--Charitable and social work
Subject(s)
- Fraternal organizations--Wisconsin--La Crosse
Collection Inventory
| Box | Folder | |||
|
By-Laws and Rules of Order, 1915, 1929 |
1 | 1-2 | ||
|
Social & Community Welfare Committee |
||||
| Box | Folder | |||
|
Correspondence, 1961-1969, undated |
1 | 3-6 | ||
|
Meeting minutes, 1958-1964 |
1 | 7-13 | ||