The number of Master Masons in National City and vicinity was gradually increasing, the desire and necessity for the organization of a lodge of Masons became more intensified from the fact that we were located at the extreme southwestern limit of the United States, where distressed, worthy, brother Master Masons could go no further with manners and customs quite unlike those to which they were accustomed – a hardship which no Master Mason would for a moment think of forcing upon a brother. So it became plainly evident that here, of all places, was the place, the time and opportunity to dispense Masonic Charity.

In the evening of September 15, 1886, the following named Master Masons assembled in Grange Hall, National Avenue between 8^th and 9^th Streets, National City, California, to decide if the time has arrived when sufficient number of Master Masons could be brought together to successfully conduct a lodge. They were: Frank Augustus Kimball, George Little Kimball, William Eggleston, Charles Lewis Josselyn, George Lafayette Yenawin, George Hughes Hancock, David Henderson, Phineas Drew Vaughan, George Kelly Beachboard and John Russell.

After informal discussion, all present were in favor for an immediate action, and on motion of Brother Josselyn, Brother Frank Augustus Kimball was elected Chairman, and on the motion of Brother Yenawin, Brother George Hughes Hancock was elected Secretary. The Chairman, Brother Kimball stated briefly the objects of the meeting, to select a name for the proposed lodge and to obtain a dispensation from the Most Worshipful Grand Master of California, to "form and open" the proposed lodge. Several names were suggested, discussed and rejected. Brother Josselyn suggested "Sunshine Lodge" as a suitable name, moved its adoption and was unanimously adopted.

In compliance with Masonic Custom, a ballot was taken, Brothers Yenawin and Josselyn, the appointed tellers, announced the result, and the Chairman declared Brother Frank A. Kimball, elected Worshipful Master, Brother George L. Yenawin, Senior Warden and Brother Charles L. Josselyn, Junior Warden. The work of the committee of Brothers C. L. Josselyn, G. L. Kimball and W. Eggleston appointed by the Chairman to prepare a petition to the Most Worshipful Edmund C. Atkinson, Grand Master of Masons of California was adopted with the following Master Masons subscribed to the petition:

Frank Augustus Kimball, Aurora Lodge No. 43, New Hampshire

Phineas Drew Vaughan, Lansing Lodge No. 72, Minnesota

Charles Lewis Josselyn, Marrion Lodge No. 19, Florida

George Hughes Hancock, Scottville Lodge No. 420, Illinois

George Little Kimball, Aurora Lodge No. 43, New Hampshire

George Kelly Beachboard, La Junta Lodge No. 64, Colorado

David Henderson, Concord Lodge No. 50, New York

George Lafayette Yenawin, San Diego Lodge No. 35, California

William Eggleston, Yount Lodge No. 12, California

Franklin Pierce Reed, Wilmington Lodge No. 158, Indiana

George William Beermaker, Wahoo Lodge No. 59 Nebraska

Charles Abiel Mead, Union Lodge No. 2, Vermont

Herbert Thomas Risdon, Winooski Lodge No. 49, Vermont

Albert Reynolds

Samuel McHenry, San Diego Lodge No. 35, California

John Manning, York Lodge No. 56, Nebraska

John Felix Manning, York Lodge No. 56, Nebraska

On motion of Brother Hancock, Brothers Vaughan, Hancock and Beachboard were appointed members of the committee to secure a proper room in which to hold the meetings of the proposed lodge. On motion by Brother Josselyn, Brothers Henderson, Eggleston, Worshipful Master and Wardens were appointed to a committee to provide funds to secure dispensation and other expenses to be incurred in organizing the proposed lodge.

Upon request of the Chairman, the Secretary called the second preliminary meeting was held in Grange Hall, at 7 o’clock P.M., December 14, 1886. Minutes of the first preliminary meeting was read and approved. In accordance with the previous notice, Brother Yenawin moved to consider the vote, which adopted "Sunshine" as the name of the proposed lodge. The motion was duly seconded and was unanimously carried.

On motion duly seconded and carried, a ballot was ordered for a name for the proposed lodge. The ballots were cast and counted by Brother G. L. Kimball, appointed teller and the Chairman declared "SOUTH WEST" to be the unanimous choice for the name of the Lodge. On motion the Chairman was requested to transmit, by the hand of Brother E. C. Hare, Deputy Grand Lecturer of the Grand Lodge, the petition, the demits of the petitioners and the Dispensation fee to the Grand Secretary.

The prayer of the petitioners having been granted by the Most Worshipful Grand Master, Edmund C. Atkinson on December 29, 1886, the first meeting of South West Lodge, U.D. was held in Grange Hall at 8 o’clock P.M., January 4, 1887. The Secretary read the dispensation by and under which Brother Frank A. Kimball took his station in the East, Brother Phineas D. Vaughan in the West and Brother Charles L. Josselyn in the South. The Worshipful Master made the following appointments of subordinate officers: Brother George L. Kimball, treasurer; Brother George H. Hancock, Secretary; Brother George L. Yenawin, Senior Deacon; Brother George K. Beachboard, Junior Deacon; Brother William Eggleston, Tyler. By order of the Worshipful Master, each officer repaired to his respective place and South West Lodge, U.D. was opened in due form on the third degree of Masonry.

All the steps required in organizing South West Lodge, U.D. and in commencing its regular order of business having been completed and nothing further being brought to the attention of the Worshipful Master, the lodge was closed in due form.

February 8, 1887 – 2nd stated meeting of South West Lodge, U.D., received petitions for degrees from Augustus Brooks Kimball and Neils Peter Rouland.

June 4, 1887 - Master Masons degree conferred on Brother N.P. Rouland.

June 14, 1887 - Master Masons degree conferred on Brother A. B. Kimball.

September 27, 1887 – 10^th stated meeting, ballots were cast to petition Grand Lodge for a charter. The petition was prepared and the elected officers were instructed to present the petition and act as delegates at the next annual communications of Grand Lodge.

October 13, 1887 – The Charter was granted to South West Lodge and it was designated as number 283 of Masonic Grand Jurisdiction of California

The forming and opening of a lodge of Masons noted the beginning of a new era for National City; for organized effort was focused for goodwill at all times and in all places command respect, with respect comes consideration, and with consideration comes endorsement, and to the end, that South West Lodge should make its influence felt in this community, the members of the Lodge pledge themselves be diligent and faithful in the discharge of duty to themselves, their families, the lodge, distressed worthy brother Masons and the community. How faithfully and well these pledges have been kept, how carefully its charities have been concealed, how unremittingly its endeavors have been directed toward public good is best understood by results which cannot be concealed.