Although a strong departure from the usual "always an Elk" phrase, the reason behind this intensity will become clear soon enough. Scattered across the United States in peaceful corners of the landscape are sacred plots of ground- some small and simple, others quite grandiose- wherein rest the remains of Departed Brothers, still side-by-side in fraternal unity though their final summons to the Celestial Lodge came as far back as a century ago. Some of these 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 while a lonely sentinel elk statue presides over its silent Lodge amid the changing seasons.

While we can't fully understand all the social factors which might have induced an Elk in 1905 to want to be buried in an Elks Rest as opposed to some more traditional family plot, we must accept it as irrefutable proof of a strong commitment to the Order, certainly on the part of the deceased Elk, but also by the Lodge which consecrated the site in the first place.

Although the following list cannot be guaranteed as complete, it's all we've found in our records to date, and we'll gladly accept any documented additions. If you ever are in an appropriate locality and feel fraternally inspired, you may want to search out one of the indicated cemeteries and discover the ageless power of true Fraternity by visiting "our Absent Brothers" in the Elks Rest section.

Mike Kelly
Grand Lodge Historian

Annals of the Order

11 O'Clock Toast URL: http://www.elks.org/history/toast.cfm Summary: Wondering where this toast came from? Angels Flight Archway URL: http://www.elks.org/history/angels.cfm Summary: Historical detectives needed to help solve the mysterious existence of four familiar letters on a Los Angeles archway. Elks Walk More than 2,000 Miles to Attend 1912 National Convention URL: http://www.elks.org/history/hikers.cfm Summary: 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. Hello, Bill and Other Secrets URL: http://www.elks.org/history/hellobill.cfm Summary: Here's the story on the "Hello, Bill" greeting, plus some insight into those goat jokes often heard at initiations. Help Save Old Ironsides URL: http://www.elks.org/history/ironsides.cfm Summary: The Elks were at the forefront of the effort to save the U.S.S. Constitution. Horsepower Meets Elks Power URL: http://www.elks.org/history/elkpower.cfm Summary: The tale of the Elks' involvement in the early days of traffic safety. Once an Elk, Eternally an Elk URL: http://www.elks.org/history/hs_cemetery.cfm Summary: 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. The Angels Have Landed! URL: http://www.elks.org/history/angels2.cfm Summary: 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 Summary: An archive of 11 O'clock Toasts What Starts out in a Mouth and Ends Up on Your Tie? URL: http://www.elks.org/history/tooth.cfm Summary: 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. Angels & Elks - The Final Episode: An Elks National Convention Hits Town! URL: /history/AngelsAndElks.cfm Summary: 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. The California Elk, September 21, 1901 URL: http://www.elks.org/history/files/CaliforniaElkSept21-1901.pdf Summary: Eight-page newspaper of the California Elks, September 21, 2001. (4MB, PDF format) History of the Elks URL: http://www.elkshistory.org Summary: Historical articles and photographs compiled by Mike Jones of the Salisbury Elks Lodge Number 699.