ORATION FOR CORNERSTONE CEREMONY
Escurial Lodge No. 7 F. & A. M.
Virginia City, NEVADA
MAY 21, 1988

Most Worshipful Grand Master, brethren and friends, it gives me a great deal of pleasure to have the opportunity to deliver this oration on the occasion of the laying of the cornerstone for this beautiful new lodge building for Escurial Lodge No. 7 F. & A. M.

Although every cornerstone ceremony is an historic occasion in its own right, today's ceremony is of particular historic significance. I'm sure that many of you share my feelings that just being in this town stirs visions of the rich history of the Comstock. When those visions are combined with the marvelous architecture of this new Lodge building, I feel that I could just as easily be giving the oration for the original cornerstone ceremony for Escurial Lodge which was held on October 12, 1875.

Escurial Lodge was one of the original Masonic lodges in Nevada. It was the fourth lodge on the Comstock, having been preceded by Virginia City No. 162, Silver Star No. 165 at Gold Hill, and Amity No. 163 at Silver City.

According to Torrence's "History of Masonry in Nevada," the Lodge's application to the Grand Lodge of California for dispensation for a charter was sent off in late 1863. It was accompanied by a personal letter from Brother W. A. Van Bokkelen requesting that the lodge be named "'Escurial' and stating that the name had been suggested to him when reading in Prescott's history of Spain "a description of Escurial Palace." The letter noted that the name seemed particularly appropriate for the new lodge, since the palace had been built high in the Pyrenees mountains in the vicinity of many mines.

On January 22, 1864, official dispensation was granted to Escurial Lodge by the Grand Lodge of California authorizing the charter brethren to organize. The charter was issued on October 13, 1864, during the 15th annual communication of the California Grand Lodge. Among the charter elected officers of Escurial Lodge No. 171 were George W. Hopkins, Worshipful master and William A. Van Bokkelen, Senior Warden. This is remarkable because George W. Hopkins went on to become Grand Master of Masons in Nevada in 1868 and 1869, and Wm. A. Van Bokkelen became Grand Master in 1872. That two brothers from the same lodge would serve as Grand Master within eight years of the lodge obtaining its charter is unheard of and would be impossible in the present day. The fact that this happened is certainly strong testimony to the strength and importance of Escurial Lodge in the early days.

The early history of Escurial Lodge is inseparably intertwined with the history of the Grand Lodge of Nevada in other ways as well. The first communication of Nevada Grand Lodge was held on January 18, 1865 in Virginia City at the joint invitation of Virginia City Lodge and Escurial Lodge. Escurial Lodge emerged from that first communication as Escurial Lodge No. 7 of the Grand Lodge F. & A. M. Of Nevada. Of those original lodges there still remain active today Carson Lodge No. 1, Amity Lodge No. 4, Escurial Lodge No. 7, and Lander Lodge No. 8.

The history of Escurial Lodge has been marred by a number of fires which have destroyed the lodge building on more than one occasion. The first occurred on May 19, 1875, when the lodge building burned to the ground along with a good portion of the business district of Virginia City.

Following the fire the brethren moved into the Odd Fellows building and immediately made plans to build a new temple. Plans for a new building were pursued immediately, and a cornerstone ceremony for the new lodge was scheduled for October 12, 1875. Unfortunately on September 3, 1875, another fire destroyed more of Virginia City including the Odd Fellows Hall, and much of the Masonic records and paraphernalia of the lodge were destroyed.

Although the fire was a tragedy, it inspired one of the most memorable communications of Freemasons in Nevada--that meeting which came to be known as "the Masons on the Mountains." Since the great fires had destroyed all buildings in which lodge were held and there was no other suitable place where the brethren could meet, on September 8, 1875, the Master of Virginia Lodge No. 3 called a communication on the top of Mount Davidson. The communication was well attended by over 300 brethren.

A fine account of the proceedings was reported in the Virginia Territorial Enterprise in its edition of September 9, 1875. While the account is too lengthy to share with you in its entirety, there are a few gems that are worthy of note:

It was reported that "the jewels worn by the officers of the Lodge have just been subjected to a fiery ordeal. They were made of Ophir bullion in the year 1863, at the order of the late Col. W. H. Howard, and by him presented to the lodge. Their cost was $500. They were saved from destruction which laid waste the Masonic Hall in the early summer, but the fire of last Friday morning found them in the Hall of the Odd Fellows, where the lodge met after being burned out. They were mourned over as lost, but were finally dug out of the ashes nearly perfect, but a single one being missing. Some of those recovered have had portions melted away, but there is enough left to show the original design and to carry the identity on down to future generations."

It was also reported that "the multitude yesterday upon the mountain were greatly indebted to Mr. Mackey for the thoughtful and timely donation of one hundred and fifty pounds of ice, which he hired toted to the top on the backs of two Chinamen's mules. These mules were afterward stationed between the flagstaff and the city, and may have been mistaken by near-sighted individuals for true Masonic goats."

Finally, it must also be noted that the brethren must have had an enjoyable day of fellowship, for it was also reported that "some of the gazers at the beautiful scenery were not content with the grandeur opened up by the aid of telescopes and double-barreled eye-helpers, and were now and then seen looking through the bottoms of tumblers, bottles and the like, with the most profound satisfactions."

The meeting on Mount Davidson must have inspired the brethren, for they hastened to complete the new temple, and the cornerstone ceremonies were held on October 12 as scheduled.

It is said that bad things sometimes come in threes. This prophesy was fulfilled in Virginia City, for on October 26, just two weeks after the cornerstone ceremony, a third fire swept through the town and destroyed just about everything that hadn't been consumed in the previous fires--including the new lodge building.

It gives me great encouragement to see the fire station right across the street. Let us hope that its presence will be all that is necessary for the new Escurial Lodge building to avoid the fires that seemed to plague its predecessors.

The brethren of Escurial Lodge have shared quarters with the Odd Fellows on several occasions in their history. Most recently, the brethren shared the Odd Fellows Hall from 1959 for the next 19 years. However, on December 30, 1987, in the midst of a snow storm that dumped 4 to 5 inches on Geiger Grade, a new group of Masonic pioneers gathered in this new lodge building for the purpose of conferring a Past Masters degree upon Worshipful Brother Dean Borges, the present Worshipful Master of Escurial Lodge. A new era for Escurial Lodge was initiated that night. I just know that this new building which stands behind me is the herald of a bright future for Escurial Lodge.

This magnificent structure which we are dedicating today was made possible through the generosity of M. W. Brother Frank N. Fisher, P. G. M. Of Masons in Nevada in 1964. No dedication of this Masonic Temple could be complete without a few words in tribute to M. W. Bro. Fisher.

Francis Neil Fisher was the 91st brother to serve the Grand Lodge of Masons in Nevada as its Grand Master. He attended public school here in Virginia City, graduating from Virginia City high School in 1931. He then attended the University of Nevada in Reno, where he obtained a bachelor of science degree in electrical engineering.

Brother Fisher was raised to the sublime degree of Master Mason in Escurial Lodge No. 7 on June 23, 1939. He served that lodge as its Worshipful Master in 1949, and as noted, he served the Grand Lodge as Grand Master in 1964. While he served his lodge in many capacities over the years, his love for the lodge will be known for many years after his death on September 22, 1985.

We, as Masons, are taught the importance of faith, hope and charity. We are also taught that the greatest of these is charity, for faith may be lost in sight, hope ends in fruition, but charity extends beyond the grave through the boundless realms of eternity. This building is a striking example of that maxim, for it is built here today through the generosity of Frank Fisher. Thank you, brother Frank.

While any listing of the brothers responsible for the construction of this lodge will necessarily be incomplete, there are a few brethren of whom I am aware who should also be recognized as "lodge builders." I am personally aware of the efforts of Brothers Earl Everett, Dean Borges, and Chandler Johnson, for each of these brothers had a part in seeking approvals of this project through Grand Lodge. Additionally, I understand that not only these brethren but also John Polastro, Robert Karrasch, and Gene Foster were involved in the evolution of the lodge plans, construction and site selection. Other brethren who deserve special recognition are Gordon F. Barkley, Jr., Don Olson, Ted Glizcinski, and Bill Branstetter who helped with suggestions, their time during the detail work, and monetary contributions. I'm sure I've missed others who deserve mention as well, and to them I add my congratulations as well.

And now, my friends and brothers, we are about to conclude this cornerstone ceremony, and what we do here today will become another page in the history of the Comstock and Escurial Lodge. I thank you for your attendance here today, and I encourage you to come in, look around, and share the good feeling of this lodge building with the brethren of Escurial Lodge. I know that Brother Frank would have wanted it that way.

Thank you and God bless you.

Oration by M.W. David J. Guinan
at that time - Grand Orator ...
Grand Master of Masons in Nevada/1999

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