The History of Petaluma and our Lodge

Therefore, let us drop back in time for a glance at the people and the circumstances that produced this proud work. Back before there were Masons in Petaluma, before there was a Petaluma, the Coast Miwok Indians dwelled in this land. Nature had provided an abundance of plant and animal life. Waterways and lakes were home to many species of fish, shellfish and waterfowl. Deer and tule elk grazed in the meadows. Resident predators included the California lion and the grey wolf. In addition, the grizzly bear and his more plentiful cousin the cinnamon bear, roamed the area.

It was 1776, the year our nation was born, when a small Spanish boat brought the first explorers up river into Petaluma valley. They were seeking a possible linkage between San Pablo Bay and Bodega Bay. Failing in this, little further interest was given to this area for several years. Undoubtedly, these lands must have been crossed many times later on by Russiansf rom Fort Ross to the northand from the south by the Spanish mission builders whose settlements ultimately reached San Rafael and Sonoma.

Although General Vallejo established his vast holdings nearby in 1833 -1834, it wasn't until 1850 that the site of Petaluma itself saw its first residents - hunters who built their homes here. and shipped their game down river to feed the rapidly growing population of San Francisco.

Petaluma's own population vigorously expanded. As elsewhere throughout California and the West, a goodly number of the new men were Masons who sought the fraternal relationship of their brothers. In only five short years after these first permanent settlers arrived, the Grand Lodge of California granted a charter to the twenty-five original members who formed Petaluma Lodge No. 77, Free & Accepted Masons.

Three years later, Petaluma Chapter No. 22, Royal Arch Masons was instituted, and the City of Petaluma was officially incorporated.

Masons held their early meetings in a hall on Main Street (now Petaluma Boulevard), somewhere between the present temple and Washington Street. In 1872, Hinshaw Hall, which was probably just north of the corner of Main and Washington, was leased.

A desire was soon expressed for a more permanent home. In February of 1878, the Masonic Hall Association was incorporated. The principal stockholders were ... but we are getting just a little ahead of our story. For now we find that Petaluma had not one, but two Masonic Lodges. The enflamed passions of Civil War days that nearly tore our young nation apart reached all the way West to heat the emotions of our own brethren. That harmony might truly prevail and Masonry not suffer because of private opinions, the Lodge split in two, and Arcturus Lodge No. 180 received its charter in 1866. It was known for the Confederate sympathies of its members. Curiously, the two lodges existed together with a harmony quite unexpected. Apparently, our early brethren were indeed striving to live by those enduring principles of Masonic brotherhood, in spite of their political feelings.

The enflamed passions of Civil War days that nearly tore our young nation apart reached all the way West to heat the emotions of our own brethren. That harmony might truly prevail and Masonry not suffer because of private opinions, the Lodge split in two, and Arcturus Lodge No. 180 received its charter in 1866. It was known for the Confederate sympathies of its members. Curiously, the two lodges existed together with a harmony quite unexpected. Apparently, our early brethren were indeed striving to live by those enduring principles of Masonic brotherhood, in spite of their political feelings.

Now, back to the story of our Temple. Shares of ownership for the Hall Association were apportioned as follows: Arcturus No. 180,394; Petaluma No. 77,394; Royal Arch Masons, 194. Each of the nine Directors held two shares.

Now, back to the story of our Temple. Shares of ownership for the Hall Association were apportioned as follows: Arcturus No. 180,394; Petaluma No. 77,394; Royal Arch Masons, 194. Each of the nine Directors held two shares.

On February 28, 1878, John A. McNear deeded to the Association Lot 226, fronting 85.7 feet on Main Street, by 100 feet on English Street. Due to street widening, fifteen feet of the 85.7 feet became a part of English Street (now Western Avenue). Price of the lot: $6,750. The property, however, was not vacant. On it rested the Union Hotel.

This structure was maintained until June 1881 when it was sold for $800 to Mr. Wickersham, who moved it to the corner of B and Third Streets and completed extensive remodeling. It reopened in August as one of Petaluma's finest stopping places.

The Hall Association had earlier voted to accept plans submitted by J. S. Tebbals of Oakland for the new Masonic Temple. Just prior to the sale of the Union Hotel building, the Association's building committee was empowered to determine costs and to proceed with the building plans.

Petaluma's two weekly newspapers, the Argus and the Courier, enthusiastically reported each event, from the decision to build, the details of the building's erection, the celebrations observing its cornerstone-laying, and the final dedication of the completed structure.

These were bold and exciting times. 1881 was a year filled with great events as the city grew, worked, endured its share of hardships, enjoyed its social events and watched the new Temple rising.

The city's population swelled to over 3,300. The week the cornerstone was laid for the new Temple, the Argus reported that nine schooners and eight steamers had headed down river, variously loaded with wood, hay, wheat, onions, potatoes, eggs, butter, dried fruit and cheese. It was reported that a thighbone of a mastodon was plowed up on a nearby ranch.

A lion measuring seven feet from nose to tail was shot within city limits. Local advertisers offered white shirts at 900 and black dress suits at $24. Pocketknives were ten cents. Chuck roast cost 1 00 a pound, cauliflowers and cabbages sold for 75 cents a dozen and coffee was six pounds for a dollar. The Courier complained that "our people are so accustomed to paddle and waddle through the adobe mud in our streets up to their ankles, that they have become oblivious to the comfort and convenience there is in paved streets". This was the year President Garfield was shot, and the Aetna Springs stagecoach was held up a couple miles from St. Helena. Lodge visitations were common occurrences. Special trains were often run for such outings between Petaluma and such places as Santa Rosa, Duncan's Mills, Marin County, and, via ferries, San Francisco. The list is not inclusive. Often the festivities which followed the Lodge work resulted in our brothers returning home long after Low Twelve. Choice new popular music of the day included "Our Darling Bangs Her Hair", "The Spanish Cavalier" and "High Tide Schottische".

Ground was broken for the new temple in mid-June. About this time, the Courier printed a letter to the Editor, signed simply, "Citizen", suggesting that a handsome adornment to this magnificent building would be a Town Clock! Both newspapers' editors excitedly advanced the cause. The idea caught on. The Courier's editor wisely observed that, "what is everybody's business is nobody's business", and exhorted public-spirited citizens to organize fundraising activities. The Petaluma Minstrel Club and the Petaluma Choral Society were among those quick to answer the challenge with benefit performances greatly advancing the community endeavor toward the $1,030 goal.

Admission Day, Friday, September 9, 1881, dawned bright, clear and very hot! This day was observed by the usual hoisting of flags, but it was a day for even greater pageantry as the cornerstone for the Temple was officially laid. Some two hundred Masons, representing several nearby lodges participated in a parade led by the Knights Templar of Santa Rosa and the Petaluma Concert Band. The imposing procession made its way to the Temple site. Representing the Grand Master, Thos. H. Caswell, Grand Secretary of Royal Arch Masons, officiated at the impressive ritual of the Craft in placing the cornerstone. Into the stone's hollow interior was placed a copper container eight inches square. It contained the following information, documents and memorabilia:

The upper stone was lowered into place and the ancient ceremonies were concluded. Festivities ended with a luncheon. It was a great celebration, but the best was yet to come!

Less than three weeks later, on Tuesday evening, September 27, 1881, an organizational meeting was held at Hinshaw Hall which resulted in the formation of Morning Star Chapter No. 61, Order of the Eastern Star.

The building progressed rapidly. The tower to house the Town Clock was completed, and awaited arrival of the clockworks. By the end of January 1882, the Petaluma Social Club occupied their new and elegant rooms on the third floor of the new Temple. These quarters consisted of a large billiard and dancing hall, two parlors and card rooms, dressing room, dining room, kitchen and closets. On the second floor, besides the Masonic Lodge room and usual adjoining anterooms, there were seven offices on the Western Avenue side.

The ground floor originally had three stores, all fronting on Main Street.