History of Hanford Lodge No. 279

Text Box:      In early 1879,  a group of Masons living in or near Hanford attempt to organize a Masonic Lodge  was unsuccessful when the Grand Master refused to issue a dispensation. However, in late 1884, ten brethren of Welcome Lodge No. 255 of Lemoore, together with a number of sojourning brethren decided to again, petition the Grand Lodge for a dispensation to form and open a lodge in Hanford.  On February 3, 1885,  the Most Worshipful Jonathan Hines, Grand Master of Masons in California granted the dispensation.  Text Box:       

Text Box: WBro  James Curtis Ensign, First Master of Hanford Lodge No. 279

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Text Box: Text Box:      The need to do some remodeling on the temple became urgent and in July 1917 the lodge passed a resolution to spend $9,000 on remodeling and refurbishing the temple.  The work started at once and was completed in about six months.   It was not until 1930 that the lodge was free from all indebtedness .  During this time they paid out a total of $30,101.46 and on September 19, 1930 all the cancelled notes were burned and the dreams of the pioneer Masons of 1885 were at last a reality.  The lodge from that day has never been indebted to any one. Text Box:      In June 1901,  WM Cunningham appointed a committee to formulate a plan for the building of the temple and to ascertain the amount of funds available.  At the following Stated Meeting, the committee made its report and a plan for the building was resubmitted.  The cornerstone was laid by the Grand Master Wiley J. Tinn on Wednesday, September 25, 1901 and the temple was dedicated on May 23, 1902 by Grand Master William T. Wells.

Text Box:       The temple went through an extensive  remodeling in 1967 including new rest room, new  storage areas and redesigned stairs on the main  floor.  The kitchen and dining room on the upper  floor also received some remodeling.  In 1978  under the direction of Ray Lee the ground floor was  completely remodeled and the area was  divided into four rental spaces:  two facing Douty  Street and two facing 8th Street.  The work was  done almost entirely by members of the lodge,  which included contractors, carpenters, painters,  electricians, and tile layers.  The income from the  rental portion of the temple provides the lodge with  enough income to maintain the temple in grand style,  and we are no longer completely dependent  upon our dues to support all the activities of the  lodge.      Located in the historical district of Hanford and  surrounded by other beautiful old restored buildings  the Temple is the pride of the members of this  Lodge.      --- from Hanford Lodge No. 279 Centennial  Celebration,  Jim St. Armour- Editor.  

Text Box: photo by Rudy M. Olano