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| The story of a building can scarcely be told out of the context of the environment which forged its need and shaped its creation. Nor do mere brick, mortar and an iron front constitute a Temple. It is instead, those who built, preserve and practice within its walls the lessons of Freemasonry that dedicate and hallow this grand old building.
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 |
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