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History

Hinsdale Masonic Lodge has played a pivotal part in the history in the village since the late 1800's. One of our early members contributed the wood used to lay the first boardwalk in Hinsdale.

The secretary's notes detail the end of World War I and the celebration in the streets that followed, as well as "The Great Influenza Epidemic" of the early 1900's. The lodge paused for a moment of prayer after the bombing of Pearl Harbor and saw many of its young members depart to fight in yet another war.

Our Lodge hall, pictured below, was a gathering place for young men, above what was Evernden's Drug Store. "Doc" Evernden, also a prominent Hinsdale Mason, rented the hall above his store to other fraternal organizations such as the Ancient Order of United Workmen, the Modern Woodmen of America, the Knights Templar, as well as dance schools and other groups.

When other organizations experienced losses such as fire, our Hall served as their meeting place.

While the downstairs tenants have changed many times, one constant in Hinsdale has been Freemasonry. Serving as the bedrock of Hinsdale for more than a century, we continue to give back to the community by way of charitable donations of time and money.

1909

Hinsdale Washigton Street 1909

1920

Hinsdale Lodge Circa 1920