Montezuma
Lodge #30
Goldfield NV
The Masonic Order led the way for fraternal organizations in the new mining camp of Goldfield, Nevada. On June 24, 1904, M.E.E. Wadleigh and H.B. Lind issued the first call for a Masonic meeting. Four days later the meeting took place, in Mr. Lind's office. Many states and several foreign countries were represented at this meeting. There were 37 names on the original request for dispensation to organize a Masonic Lodge.
This Masonic Club was formed July 13, 1904, and they met as such until January 27, 1906, when M.W. Charles H. Beemer, Grand Master of Masons in Nevada, granted their request to organize a Lodge Under Dispensation.
The Committee on Charters introduced the following resolution to the Grand Lodge at its 42nd Annual Communication, in Reno, June 12/13 of 1906:
"Believing it would conduce to the good of Freemasonry, we offer the following resolution and move its adoption:
RESOLVED: A charter be granted to Montezuma Lodge at Goldfield, Esmerelda County, Nevada, to be called Montezuma Lodge Number 30, F.&.A.M., and the following brethren be named in the charter as its first officers:
Charles Beesley, Worshipful Master
William P. Wood, Senior Warden
Milton C. Ash, Junior Warden."Montezuma Lodge #30 operated on this dispensation and charter, and the report of MW Walter J. Harris, Grand Master of Masons in Nevada to the Grand Lodge of Nevada at its 43rd Annual Communication, June 11/12, 1907, the Grand Master states that on August 10, 1906, he, assisted by R.W. Robert Lowers, Deputy Grand Master, constituted, dedicated and consecrated Montezuma Lodge #30 of Goldfield, Nevada.
The Lodge had no regular meeting place for the first few months of its existence, until they obtained exclusive use of the Carpenter's Hall in January of 1908. Meetings were held at that location for many months, and then moved a hall in the Montezuma Club, which move was of short duration, and the Lodge moved to a hall above Sullivan's Hardware Store ... after a stay of a few months, the Lodge obtained the Max Meyer Building, which was their home until destroyed by the "Great Fire" of 1923, which destroyed the Lodge's meeting place, and almost leveled the entire town.
After the fire, a fine stone structure at the corner of Sundog and Crook Avenues was obtained and remodeled, and the Lodge moved in, holding meetings in the basement - thus becoming the second Lodgeroom located below ground level in the State of Nevada (see Eureka Lodge #16). This location served the Lodge well for quite some time, but was itself consumed by fire in September of 1945, destroying the Lodge Room itself, along with all their records and possessions.
However, "Frontier Masonry" is strong, and the brethren had no thoughts of giving up. Brother Jack Manhire, an officer in both Montezuma Lodge #30 and also in the Knights of Pythias Lodge, expended a great deal of effort, and was successful in bringing about a transaction which allowed the members of Montezuma Lodge #30 to acquire the fine, remodeled former residence that had been the Hall of the Knights of Pythias - and Montezuma Lodge has flourished in this new home. Also from this hall has sprung a Royal Arch Club, and a very successful Order of the Eastern Star Club.
At this time, Montezuma Lodge #30 is 46 members strong, and is very much alive!
Researched, collected and assembled by
Harold C. Hendersen, PM
Secretary, Montezuma Lodge #30, F&AM of Nevada