HISTORY

LODGE HISTORY

     One Hundred thirty six years ago on March 31st 1887 LaMonte Lodge No. 568 was constituted by the R.W.Grand Lodge Officers of Pennsylvania.  The town of Derry Station was established in 1852 along the Pennsylvania Railroad line between Altoona and Pittsburgh. See Derry Borough for more information about it's history. The Lodge had its first meeting on the third floor of the Derry Citizen's Bank (presently called Ameriserve Bank) built by Amos O. Caven in 1886.  LaMonte Lodge met on the third floor, above the bank until May 4th 1978 when it moved to its current location on Third Street.

     On the evening of August 16th 1886 a group of Master Masons residing in Derry Station assembled in the office of Brother Edward Pitcairn.  Their names were recorded on the minutes kept that evening as; Johnson D. Neely, William Fowler, Jacob K. Russell, John H. Hep, Joseph Roth, John Houston and Edward Pitcairn. Their purpose was to petition Right Worshipful Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania Free & Accepted Masons for a warrant, to constitute a Lodge of Master Masons in Derry Station.  At that same meeting Brothers Hep and Houston reported that Mr. A.O. Caven would have his new hall ready by the holidays and it could be secured for $75.00 per year.

     The group of brethren met in Brother Pitcairn's RR Office 5 more times; November 6, 1886, December 25, 1886, March 5, 1887, March 12, 1887 and March 24, 1887.

If you desire .pdf copies of those minutes contact me at lamonte0568@gmail.com and they will be sent to you by email.