History

Lodge Charter

To All Freemasons to Whom These Presents May Come. The Grand Lodge of the Most Ancient and Honorable Fraternity of Free and Accepted Masons of Nebraska, convened in the Thirty-Third Annual Communication, SEND GREETING:

Whereas, HERETOFORE, to wit; on the Twenty-first day of September, A.D. 1889, A.*.L.*.5889 a Dispensation was granted to Brothers James J. Bridges, Luther C. Kurtz, Emie E. Aukes, Andrew S. Casad, George Conant, Henry H. Silver, Orville R. Deming, William B. Sprague, Jacob Brucker, George F. Collins, and Charles F. Collins, Free and Accepted Masons, to assemble as a LODGE OF FREEMASONS, at CORTLAND, NEBRASKA, and to therein enter Apprentices, Pass Fellowcrafts, and Raise Master Masons, AND WHEREAS, petition has been made to the GRAND LODGE for perpetual CHARTER, or Warrant, to enable them and their successors to continue in all the rights of a regularly constituted LODGE, AND WHEREAS, they have passed a proper time of probation, and exhibited to this GRAND LODGE satisfactory evidence that they have conducted the work of FREEMASONRY agreeably to the original design:

Now, Therefore, be it known, That we, the GRAND LODGE aforesaid, reposing especial trust and confidence in the integrity well-known attachment of the petitioners to the sublime principles of FREEMASONRY, as originally taught, and earnestly believing that the trusts of the Intention will be promoted by granting the prayer of the petitioners, have constituted and appointed, and by these presents, constitutes and appoint them, Brothers Reuben Albert, Ulysses G. Albert, Emie E. Aukes, Jeremiah Bailey, Jacob Bond, James J. Bridges, Jacob Brucker, (?) Cauthers, George C. Conant, Andrew S. Casad, Martin A. Crosby, Orville R. Deming, Thomas Forhan, Luther C. Kurtz, R. Milton, (?), Albert B. McNickle, James F. Prentiss, John Rietfors, Henry H. Silver, William B. Sprague, and Richard J. Stockfeld, and their (?), a regular and constituted Lodge of Master Masons, by the name, style, or title of

HIGHLAND LODGE, NO. 194,

Thereby giving and granting unto them and their successor full power and authority to assemble together, on all proper and lawful occasions, as a LODGE, within the town of CORTLAND, NEBRASKA, to initiate good men and true, who may apply to be made acquainted with the sublime (?) of the several degrees of ENTERED APPRENTICE, FELLOWCRAFT, and MASTER MASON. Also, to make choice (?), to admit members; to collect funds for the relief of poor and distressed Brethren, their widows and orphans; to make by-laws and ordinances for their own government, and to do and transact all and singular such matters and things as are proper and lawful to be done in such an assembly.

And furthermore, We do hereby declare the (?) and precedence of said LODGE, in the GRAND LODGE, and elsewhere, to be from the twentieth day of June, A.*.L.*.5890, ...(?)

And furthermore, We do hereby (?) upon the said LODGE to conform, in all their doings, to the Landmarks of FREEMASONRY, and to the Constitution, Laws, and By-laws of the GRAND LODGE, and in (?) thereof, this CHARTER, and the powers herein granted, are to cease and be of us further (?),

In Testimony Whereof, We the GRAND MASTER, DEPUTY GRAND MASTER and GRAND WARDENS, by virtue of the high power and authority to us vested, have hereunto set our hands and caused the Seal of the GRAND LODGE to be affixed at FREEMASONS HALL, OMAHA, this twentieth day of June, Anno Domini 1890, Anno Lucis 5890.

Attest:

JOHN J. MERCER, Grand Master

ROBERT E. FRENCH, Deputy Grand Master

BRADNER D. SLAUGHTER, Grand Senior Warden

SAMUEL P. DAVIDSON, Grand Junior Warden

WM R. BOWEN, Grand Secretary.

Whereas, the original CHARTER of Highland Lodge No. 194, was destroyed by fire on on January 27th, 1925 the foregoing true copy (?)...and has the same force and validity as the original CHARTER. Done by order of the GRAND LODGE A.*.F.*. & A.*.M.*. of NEBRASKA, at Omaha, Nebraska this tenth day of June, A.D. 1925, A.*.L.*., 5925.

A TRUE COPY

ATTEST

Signed Robert (?), Grand Master

Signed (?), Deputy Grand Master

Signed (?), Grand Senior Warden

Signed (?), Grand Junior Warden

Signed Francis ?, Grand Secretary

Lodge Locations, courtesy of Emma Miller

The Cortland Freemasons originally met in the "BIG HALL". It was built by the International Order of Oddfellows in 1883 on the Northeast corner of Block 8 was later owned by an elderly Edward Heller, as a business venture. The fraternal insurance Modern Woodman of America organized in the Pfeiffer Building also in Block 8, circa 1890s.

The Masons found that the larger Heller Hall (35' x 75') was a bit costly. Many Masons were also members of Modern Woodman of America and then moved the Lodge to the M.W.A. building (20' x 53'). However, the M.W.A. grew rapidly, and in 1907 purchased the "Big Hall" from Mr. Heller, causing the Masons to meet in the very building they had just left.

At that time, the furnishings of the Lodge consisted of some stool chairs, some crude hemp aisle carpet, secretary's table, heating stove, station pedastals abandoned by another disbanded fraternal organization. The Alter, a finished dry goods shipping box, covered with black enamel and guilded with emblems crafted by a brother.

About 1910, the building next door housing the Post Office caught fire while starting the acetylene lighting equipment. A ladder was raised to a front window and a few items were rescued. Then, midnight, January 25, 1925, came the cry of FIRE! Below zero weather, the Meehan Buidling next door was already a roaring mass of flames too dangerous for any attempt to salvage. In an hour, four buildings were leveled and the Masons safe lay in the midst of the ashes. The Modern Woodmen of America immediately invited to share their quarters on the second floor of the building near the Southwest corner of Block #(?), which they happily accepted.

The original Charter was destroyed and obtained a new Charter for the Grand Lodge in June, 1925. The fiscal year was change to coincide with the calendar year and the Lodge moved to the Cooper building next door, who were Masons. The quarters were small but with new paraphernalia, furniture and decorations.

The Bonebright's decided to clear their upper floor and rent it to the Masons at a nominal figure. With the shock of Brother Carl Bonebright passing away, it was soon follwed by notice from the new owners to vacate immediately. Though they learned it was not that simple, the Masons felt it was time to obtain a home of their own. The current Lodge was built by members of the Lodge at its current location, 420 Sheridan Ave.

The Lodge was dedicated by a Cornerstone ceremony by the Grand Lodge of Nebraska on October 1, 1977 with the Grand Master of Nebraska A.B. Saum presiding.