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Masonic Family Honors & Rededicates Tillamook Lodge
Tillamook 150th Anniversary
Submitted by Bro. Kristopher A. Torrey, Senior Warden of Tillamook Lodge No. 57
Joseph Dawson came to Tillamook in 1865 and held the fi rst meeting of Freemasons residing in Tillamook County on July 1, 1867. On September 18, 1873, Dispensation was granted and Tillamook Lodge No. 57 was officially chartered; the first official meeting was held on November 25, 1872.
Using the Lodge treasury, donations from Lodge members, and help from Silver Wave Chapter No. 18, they were able to purchase land and begin construction of the current Lodge building. For many years members were assessed $4 per year to make loan payments. The solid oak furnishings, which are still in use today, were made possible from a joint effort with Silver Wave Chapter No. 18. Th is has been the Lodge meeting place, and for other bodies of the Masonic family, since January 1, 1914.
On Friday, September 15, Tillamook Lodge No. 57 held its 150th anniversary celebration. Members of the Grand Lodge, Tillamook Lodge No. 57, Silver Wave Chapter No. 18 of the Order of the Eastern Star, Al Kader Shriners, Oregon Grand Commandery of Knights Templar, Oregon State Senator Suzanne Weber and Tillamook County Commissioner, Erin Skaar, along with friends, family, and community members came together to honor and rededicate Tillamook Lodge No. 57 in a beautiful ceremony.
M.W.B. Craig A. Sipp, Grand Master of Oregon, officiated the ceremony with the aid of Deputy Grand Master, Tim Best; Senior Grand Warden, Marc Strong; and Junior Grand Warden, Richard Varner. The Working Tools of Freemasonry for a ceremony utilizing the symbols of Corn, Wine, and Oil, were presented by several Past Masters of Tillamook Lodge, Ted Johnson, Del Schultz, Jack Naval, and Mark Kennedy. After the ceremony, M.W.B. Sipp presented Ted Johnson, Worshipful Master of Tillamook Lodge No. 57, with a certificate of rededication. W.B. Myron Miles, Grand Orator, gave a wonderful presentation on the history of Tillamook County and the history of the Lodge.
Senator Weber and Commissioner Skaar both congratulated Tillamook Lodge on its 150 years of service to the community and wished 150 more years of service and prosperity.
This Lodge is a great band of Brothers with a rich 150-year history. In the two years since I transfered from California I’ve seen two di erent Grand Masters in our Lodge. I’ve found a new Masonic home with Tillamook Lodge No. 57.
- Brother Mark L. Kennedy
On Saturday, September 16, the celebration continued with a Masonic open house honoring all aspects of Freemasonry in Tillamook County over the last 150 years.
Displays were set up to showcase the history of the Tillamook County Lodges who pioneered our community but have since consolidated into Tillamook Lodge No. 57. Those Lodges were Bay City Lodge No. 102, Wheeler Lodge No. 167, and Cloverdale Lodge No. 126. Since the time Brother Joseph came to Tillamook in 1865, Freemasonry has been strong in Tillamook County. The names of community leaders who were Masons can be seen throughout the community—from street signs to building names and community records. Freemasonry and the Masonic family is alive and well in Tillamook County, and like our predecessors, we continue “Pioneering Masonry Forward.”
Tillamook Lodge No. 57 has been involved in the futures of our youth and young adults through annual scholarships at Tillamook Bay Community College, encouraging reading comprehension and skills through the Bikes-for-Books program in the county elementary schools, teaching and guiding community youth through DeMolay, and working to bring Job’s Daughters and Rainbow Girls to the area. The Tillamook County Shrine Club and Legion of Honor North Coast Platoon raises funds to provide 60 pounds of shredded cheese monthly to the Shriners Children’s Hospital in Portland.
Many members of Tillamook Lodge have served throughout the community and nation in many aspects: military service, law enforcement, public works, various service industries, public news sources and information, as well as local industry like logging, fishing, and much more. Tillamook Lodge members continue to serve their community and each other using their Working Tools on a daily basis.
