The Placerville Masonic Lodge is noted for being the home of two former living Grand Masters of Freemasons, Robert West and Frederick Sorsabal. The current Grand Master, Richard Hopper, will visit on December 29 to preside over the installation of officers. This honor is, in part, related to the long period of time that this lodge has made significant contributions to Freemasonry since the gold rush in California.
During the Gold Rush of 1849, thousands of settlers came to California in search of fortune. Those who were Masons brought their rich traditions with them, soon establishing some of California's first Masonic Lodges in the mining towns of the Gold Country. In 1850 - the same year that California became a state - the Grand Lodge of California was established in Sacramento.
In the earliest days of the gold rush, Hangtown lacked government and law enforcement. It is known that many local "Bad Apples" were the topic of discussion in Tiled lodge rooms. Legend has it that Law Enforcement was meted out via the Masonic Lodges in those early days. At the height of the Gold Rush, many new emigrants found that the streets were paved with hard times rather then gold. Masonic charity was always a fundamental Masonic principle and many local Lodges went bankrupt supporting the widows and orphans of Masons that did not survive those rough times.
The initial meetings of the Masonic Brotherhood in Placerville were not held as a fraternal organizational gathering, but rather as opportunities to discuss and implement methods of giving aid and assistance to distressed fellow Masons and their families. Placerville, a boisterous mining camp, had become a primary stopping point for many of the travelers entering the geographical area denoted as the Mother Lode. Far too often, the grueling trip had exacted a heavy toll on the travelers. Many had lost stock, had broken down wagons, or had ill family members. They were arriving with depleted cash reserves, were discouraged and had no obvious resources. Thus, the beginnings of Freemasonry in California.
Brother Lewis Tritt called a meeting of fellow Masons in his log home on the north side of Placerville in February 1850 to discuss some means to aid Masonic brethren and their families that were arriving in almost every immigrant train that spilled over the mountains into the area. A Masonic committee was appointed to assist these ailing fellow Masons: Brother W. H. Smith, a butcher would supply meat; Brother John Buchanan, a baker, would supply bread; Brother Lazarus Tannerwald, owner of a local mercantile, would furnish clothing. The other Masons in the group would donate funds of other requested assistance.
On May 6, 1853, Placerville Lodge No.26 was chartered with 26 Master Masons in membership.
Today, the Grand Lodge of California boasts more than 75,000 members and 350 lodges located throughout the state, making it one of the largest Grand Lodges in the world.
Click this link to see the Masonic Mission Today.
Click this link to visit the Placerville Lodge # 26 website.
All Masons, their friends, and families are welcome to attend this event.
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Installation of Officers - Placerville Lodge No. 26
Saturday, December 29 1:00 PM |
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| Hosted By | Placerville Lodge No. 26 |
| Location |
Placerville Lodge No. 26 |
| Agenda | Friday, 12/28 5:30 PM Installation Practice Saturday, 12/29 1:00 PM Installation of Officers |
| Invited | Masons (Entered Apprentices, Fellow Crafts, Master Masons), their ladies, families and friends. |
| Dress | Grand Lodge Officers: tuxedo Other Men: business suits Ladies: long or tea length formal dresses. |
| Contact | Tom Golden Email: tom@tomgolden.org |
