This is just the beginning! Our collection holds over 300 years of history, including rare newspapers, obituaries, marriage records, birth records, and so much more—most of which you won’t find anywhere else!
Founding of the Elks and Early Lodge Struggles
The article recounts the 1868 birth of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, from the Jolly Corks to Elk institution, Vivian’s contested founder role, expulsions, and the push to form grand lodges. It notes early venues at 17 Delancey Street and civic debates over leadership and ritual, leading to New York No. 1 and Philadelphia No. 2 charters in 1871 and the expansion to a national lodge system.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Vievian
Bowron
England
William L. Bowron
New York
Richard R. Steirly
Hoboken
John T. Kent
Jersey City
Harry Bosworth
Astoria
Long Island
John H. Bloom
Frank Langhorn
Plainfield
N. J
Delancey Street
Vivian
Steirly
Riggs
Vandermark
McDonald
Elk
Elkdom
Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks
Grand Lodge
Primo
Charles VI
R. R. Steir
Rable
William Calton
He Vandermark
Tyler William Sheppard
R. H. Primo
Arthur C. Moreland
Academy of Music
Kent
Lodge
Lodge of Ellis
Meade D. Detweiler
Ellis
New No. 1
Philadelphia
B. P. O. Ellis
New York No
J. T.hoffman
Grand Lodge Incorporated
New York No. 1
San Francisco
Chicago