Natoma Lodge History

The first ten years of the records of Natoma Lodge were lost by fire. The following brief sketch was prepared in part by the late Brother Secretary M.C. Duchow and added selected portions of the works of "Sherman's Fifty Years of Masonry in California" and Grand Lodges One Hundred Years of Freemasonry in California".

On October 31, 1854 Brother T.A. Thomas, then Deputy Grand Master of the M.W. Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons of the State of California, issued a Dispensation to certain brethren to form Natoma Lodge No. 64, at the town of Mormon Island in the County of Sacramento, Brother W. Wallace being elevated to the high rank of Master.

On the 4th day of May 1855, the Lodge was made perpetual by Charter from the above mentioned Grand Lodge.

Late in 1857 or early 1858 the Lodge, by permission of Brother N. Green Curtis, then M.W. Grand Master, removed to the town of Folsom in Sacramento County and held it's meetings in the second story of a frame building located in the lower part of town, renting from the Odd Fellows the use of their Hall and furniture.

In the latter part of 1862, the Lodge removed to, and on New Years Night of 1863, installed it's officers in the second story of a brick building situated on the South side of Sutter Street, renting as before from the Odd Fellows.

In the Spring of 1870 the Lodge decided to fit up a hall of their own and for that purpose rented from Brother B.N. Bugbey the third story of his brick building situated at the corner of Leidsdorf and Wool Streets, furnished it neatly and after due preparation, was dedicated on the evening of April 13, 1870 by Past Grand Master Brother N. Green Curtis.

The occasion was celebrated with joyous festivity, in which the Members of the Craft and invited guests participated

The Fraternity now congratulated themselves upon having a comfortable hall of their own and though the change had proven to be a costly one in a pecuniary sense, the members felt proud of their new hall. This gratifying condition of the Lodge was of short duration, for on May 15, 1871 at midnight, a fire swept from existence their hall and all of it's contents-- with the exception of the Charter, the Holy Bible, Square & Compass and part of the Officer's regalia.

For the saving of these articles the Lodge is indebted to Mr. Herman Holzinger, who entered and rescued them while the hall was in flames. The book in which is written the minutes of the Lodge, since January 1866, chanced to be out of the Hall. The Lodge held insurance to the amount of fifteen hundred dollars, which was paid by the Fireman's Fund Insurance Company.

After this sad misfortune, Natoma Lodge humbly returned to and received shelter from Granite Lodge No. 62 I.O.O.F, which was at that time located on the South side of Sutter Street, between Decatur and Wool Streets. In April 1880, a committee was appointed to furnish, in a respectful manner, the second floor of a rented building, located at 805 1/2 Sutter Street, Folsom Ca. The hall was to have been dedicated to Masonic purposes on the 24th day of June, but on June 17th it was learned that enough money could not be procured, so the dedication was dispensed with.

On the 7th day of February 1884, a communication was read from Latrobe Lodge No. 189, F. & A.M., located at Latrobe, El Dorado County, asking if it would be willing for them to consolidate. On the 25th day of December 1884, the members of Latrobe Lodge were present and signed the bylaws of Natoma Lodge, which was in accordance with the Resolution of the Grand Lodge. There were fourteen Master Masons gained in this consolidation.

A long time dream of the early members of the Lodge was to have a home of their own. This dream temporarily ended in 1880, however, after the Lodge moved to its new location; the dream lingered although many members assumed it would be the permanent home of the Lodge. The dream was finally realized in August 1963 when the members moved to its present location at 1000 Duchow Street, Folsom, Ca. into what may be called the 'old' portion of the 'new' Temple.

To understand the reference to the 'old' and the 'new' Temple, one must be made aware that the original portion of the building was constructed by the members and their friends on land donated by Charles F. Anderson, P.M. It was affectingly known as the new temple. In 1990, an addition to the building was made using funds allocated for the purpose by a bequeath of the late Joseph H. Miller, P.M. This new addition bears his name and has been called the 'new' addition. The older portion of the building was all but eliminated leaving only the Meeting Room intact.

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