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The Masonic lodge has
'jumped' about from building to building. They had their first hall in 1907, in the upper
level of the Bell Block, which would be where People's Drug Mart is today. This building
burnt down that same year, and everything was lost.
They then applied to J.C. Metcalfe - a member - if they could meet in the hall above his
store (Metcalfe's store would be the Outfitter clothing store today). Metcalfe already had
the Orangemen, the Oddfellows, and the Foresters meeting there. The Masons met there every
third Wednesday. They paid $1 a month fo rent. They met there until 1923.
At this time they began to rent the top floor of the Polson Mercantile building (today,
the flea market by the bridge stands in its place), owned at that time by the Enderby
Growers Association. Chris Reeves, the secretary to the lodge for 21 years, worked there
as the manager of the building; he leased the top floor to the Masons. They met there for
27 years. The original Polson Mercantile building burnt down, and has since been replaced.
In 1950, the Masonic Lodge and the Oddfellow's Lodge joined together to build a new lodge
hall. They built the Fraternal Hall on Mill Street. It was originally a jointly shared
building, but the Oddfellows have since sold their shares to the Masons, making it
strictly a Masonic Hall.
The Fraternal Hall is rented out to various groups : the Eastern Star, the Oddfellows, and
Mrs. Pecher who teaches music to many students.
Tracy Merfert, Heidi Chaybak
ALF School 1989