Oregon City Elks Lodge was chartered on March 4, 1910.  The first meetings were held in the Masonic Lodge.  The membership was 52.  The first Exalted Ruler was Walter Carll.  The Lodge building was completed in 1912.  The building cost was $12,962.75. 

This Lodge has been involved in civic and charitable programs from the beginning.

The first Flag Day was June 14, 1911.  The ceremony was held at 6th and Main St. in downtown Oregon City.  The Lodge currently partners with the Scout Troops sponsored by the Lodge to have a flag retirement ceremony.

The first Christmas Basket Program was started in 1913.  Baskets have been delivered each year, no matter the weather or locations.

The Bowling programs were started with the installation of the bowling alley in 1916.  The Leagues are still playing.

The Lodge building burned to the ground on December 2, 1922.

The meetings were held again at the Masonic Temple until the new Lodge was completed in 1923.  The only items rescued were the records from the office.  The first meeting was held in the new Lodge building on December 7, 1923.  The new bowling alleys were installed with the new building.

.

The late 1920’s and 1930’s were difficult for everyone.  The Lodge stayed open and worked with the Charities and events they held and sponsored.

In 1929, the Lodge published its’ first newsletter. In 1946, This had become an award-winning publication named “AULD LANG SYNE”.  It is currently published monthly and mailed to each member. Through the Depression, the Lodge established a Turkey Drawing (now referred to as the Turkey Shoot), completed a shooting range in the basement and organized the Salmon Derby-still being held each year.

The Lodge continued to support the members and their communities through the world-wide depression.

The Oregon City Lodge became involved with the Casey Eye Clinic due to a need of help in the Area. A member, Judge Robert Mulvey, had twins both blinded at birth.  Very few Ophthalmologists were in the area.  The Lodge became involved in 1949 to establish the Elks Childrens’ Eye Clinic.  From that point on, the clinic has been supported statewide by other lodges and funds were raised to furnish rooms at the clinic.  We did not provide medical equipment, just furniture, lamps, etc. 

Also in 1947, the Lodge chose to become involved with the State Scholarship program.  The Lodge has provided much needed scholarships for Oregon City Elks children and grandchildren.  The Lodge currently issues thousands in scholarships. The Lodge currently has a trust fund, using the interest for scholarships.  This fund was currently renamed the “Frank Maxwell Scholarship Fund”.  He was very involved in making sure the fund was taken care of.  The Lodge encourages donations. Many are estate requests, memorials, etc.

The Lodge also instituted Life Memberships for those who were 65 or older and a member of the Lodge for 35 or more years.  Most of these were members who kept up their membership even during the difficult time of the 1930’s and 1940’s. 

The decade of 1950, was the largest growth to date.  Improvements were made to the lodge room.  Theater seats were installed, paneling was completed, and sliding doors were installed to be able to open the whole room to large gatherings.  Air conditioning and new lighting was installed in the entire building.  A new speaker system was also installed.  The Lodge purchased the property that is now the Elks park in Canby. The Ritual Teams placed well in Oregon State competition and placed 1st in 1956.  The team placed 12th in national competition that year. 

In 1965, the membership voted to purchase additional property next door.  This added more then 5300 square feet to the Lodge. The addition and remodel was completed in 1968.  It was dedicated the week of November 13-17, 1968.  In 1969, a parking space was designated for the Exalted Ruler. 

In 1988, the mortgage for the Lodge was paid and a burning of the paperwork was celebrated. 

In the 1990’s a new manufactured home was purchased for the park attendants, and an elevator was installed and dedicated at the Lodge. In 1996, Women were allowed to become members. 

During the early 2000’s changes were made and installed. A lift was installed to allow handicapped access to the basement.

2010 was the 100th Anniversary of this Lodge.  A History book was written and published by the Lodge.  A campaign to boost membership was run. It was called “100 for 100”. 

In 2014, a tree crashed and destroyed the kitchen at the Park.  It was a long time with the County to receive permits to rebuild, but thanks to Park Trustee, Margaret Wright, it was successful.  She put in many, many hours with the County to get what the Lodge deserved.   New kitchen and rest rooms were built and have been a huge success for the Park.  The kitchen was recently renamed for Margaret Wright. 

During all these years, Charity Night continued to raise funds for the Lodge charities, the scholarship trust fund has become stabilized and is awarding scholarships each year.  Christmas food baskets were delivered every year, no matter the weather.  The Childrens Picnic at the Park is ongoing and the Adult Picnic is a success every year.  So much goes on that is not always publicized and keep going due to volunteers in the Lodge.  This Lodge currently has many activities going all the time.  We have bowling leagues, Chuckwagon Breakfast every Sunday, Bingo every Wednesday, Friday night dinner and. of course, Thursday Lodge Night.