Walla Walla Elks Lodge 3287 started in 1894 with 20 charter members, including three lawyers, one US Senator, and one former Territory Governor. Annual dues were only $6.00 for the first 14 years. By 1911, the Lodge had 600 members but lacked its own home. In April of 1913, the Lodge held its first meeting in the new Temple at 4th and Alder. The five-story Temple had the first push-button elevator in Walla Walla! The first Lodge newsletter, “The Lariat” was published in 1914. In 1921, Lodge membership was up to 979 members, and by 1970 membership was up to 3,000. A fire in May of 1970 did extensive damage to the 4th and 5th floors of the Temple, and membership voted to rebuild the Temple and move it to the corner of Rose and Palouse with the ground-breaking ceremony in 1972 and opening in 1973. In 1981, the Lodge was the 15th largest in the nation with 3,987 members. The Temple on Rose St closed its doors in 2019. The current Temple located on Par 72 St began construction in 2021 and opened its doors in 2023.
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