Our History

• History of the Elks
  URL: http://www.elkshistory.org

  Historical articles and photographs compiled by Mike Jones of the Salisbury Elks Lodge Number 699.

• The California Elk, September 21, 1901
  URL: http://www.elks.org/history/files/CaliforniaElkSept21-1901.pdf

  Eight-page newspaper of the California Elks, September 21, 2001. (4MB, PDF format)

• Angels & Elks - The Final Episode: An Elks National Convention Hits Town!
  URL: /history/AngelsAndElks.cfm

  Electrifying words to any city in the early 1900's, but especially to Los Angeles when it meant that, for one glorious and tumultuous week, upwards of 2,000 Elks and families would pour out of the train depots to wander its streets and fill its hotels.

• What Starts out in a Mouth and Ends Up on Your Tie?
  URL: http://www.elks.org/history/tooth.cfm

  The increasing reappearance of Elks Teeth has provoked considerable interest among the younger members of our herd who instantly recognize in them windows back to the Order's golden past.

• Hello, Bill and Other Secrets
  URL: http://www.elks.org/history/hellobill.cfm

  Here's the story on the "Hello, Bill" greeting, plus some insight into those goat jokes often heard at initiations.

• Angels Flight Archway
  URL: http://www.elks.org/history/angels.cfm

  Historical detectives needed to help solve the mysterious existence of four familiar letters on a Los Angeles archway.

• Horsepower Meets Elks Power
  URL: http://www.elks.org/history/elkpower.cfm

  The tale of the Elks' involvement in the early days of traffic safety.

• Help Save Old Ironsides
  URL: http://www.elks.org/history/ironsides.cfm

  The Elks were at the forefront of the effort to save the U.S.S. Constitution.

• 11 O'Clock Toast
  URL: http://www.elks.org/history/toast.cfm

  Wondering where this toast came from?

• Once an Elk, Eternally an Elk
  URL: http://www.elks.org/history/hs_cemetery.cfm

  Some lodge-owned cemetery plots, called ELKS RESTS, have outlived the Lodges which established them, while others have even been forgotten by their Lodges, passing almost invisibly through the years in peaceful repose.

• Elks Walk More than 2,000 Miles to Attend 1912 National Convention
  URL: http://www.elks.org/history/hikers.cfm

  Four athletic young men, members of the local B.P.O. Elks and employees of the Burlington Railroad, walked 2,223 miles to Portland, Oregon to attend the 1912 National Convention.

• The Angels Have Landed!
  URL: http://www.elks.org/history/angels2.cfm

  Back in March of 1997, we piqued our readers' curiosity with mention of the Angels Flight funicular railway in Los Angeles and the mysterious lower-end arch bearing the letters BPOE. Finally, the mystery is solved!

• Toast Archive
  URL: http://www.elks.org/history/toastarchive.cfm

  An archive of 11 O'clock Toasts