It took seven years of correspondence, because the Grand Lodge was reluctant to grant
a charter to a Lodge in a mining town, having a painful experience in the transient
camps of Colorado, but Ely Lodge #1469 became a reality on July 11, 1923.
Tonopah Lodge #1062 provided the installation team, led by Exalted Ruler J.M. Lockhart
after a two day auto trip over dirt roads to Ely. Brother L.H. Murdock was installed
as the first Exalted Ruler and 53 members of the Willow club became the nucleus of the
new lodge.
Brother J.H. Bigger, member #7 and the original Treasurer was the last survivor of this
group.
The Willow Club was a gentlemen's organization whose members were business and
professional men of the community, and many of whom were Stray Elks, located in a
two-story home on the corner of Seventh and Campton Street, where the present Lodge
building is situated.
Not much of the original building can be recognized today.
During the 1930's, porches were removed and the the walls moved outward which constitutes
the present Lodge hall today.
Murry Creek, the overflow from Murry Springs, which supplies Ely's water, ran through
the lot behind the building and had to be channeled through a concrete culvert; over 50
willow trees (for which the original club was named) were removed and an entry hall
and kitchen were added.
With the aid of a bequest by Brother Guy Isbell, a conference and Secretary's office
were added in 1968 and, in 1984 the present lounge was completed.
One of the problems encountered at this time was the old culvert built for Murry Creek.
Ely Lodge #1469 proudly boasts 223 members today and is determined to equal, and
surpass the accomplishments of the Lodge which has marked the first 75 years.
This article is taken from The Ely Daily Times, September 4, 1998.