|
In the 1880's the Northwest corner of the Arizona Territory began to experience a mining boom . That coupled with cattle ranching and the
Atlantic and Pacific RailRoad caused a major influx of people to the area. Kingman began to grow from a temporary army post ( Fort Beale) to
a young city in the Northern Arizona territory.
Masons came to the area and found that they had to go to Prescott or Flagstaff to attend Lodge. A number of them would take the train to Needles
to go to Lodge. Not being satisfied with having to make a several day trip to go to Lodge,several Masons met in front of the old post office and
decided that they should control their own destiny. They petitioned the Grand Lodge of Arizona and were granted a dispensation in 1914.In 1915 the
Kingman masonic group was granted a charter by the Grand Lodge of Arizona. Kingman Lodge #22 was an official Lodge. Dr. W.H. Bucher was installed
as the first Worshipful Master of Kingman Lodge #22 in 1915.
All regular Masonic Lodges must have either a Dispensation from the Grand Master or a Charter from the Grand Lodge. A dispensation is a document
that grants specified brothers the power to initiate, pass and raise masons for a limited period of time and is issued by the Grand Master when
the Grand Lodge is in recess. A charter grants the same powers but is not limited in time and is issued by the Grand Lodge during its regular session.
From 1914 to 1940 the Lodge met in the Independant Order Of Odd Fellows (IOOF) building located at the corner of 5th Street and Beale Street.
Work was begun on our present building in 1939 and on March 10, 1940 the Grand Lodge of Arizona dedicated the building as a Masonic Temple.
We had arrived !!!
|
