Masons, Stars, a century of serving communities

Charter members of Columbia Falls Lodge No. 89, AF & AM, were among first businessmen when the community was begun in the early 1900s.

Members observed 100th anniversary of the lodge Sept. 19. This coincided with actual date the lodge was chartered in 1912.

Worshipful Grand Master Thomas H. Chisholm, Plains, was speaker for the centennial observance. Lodge history was given by Mike Shepard, lodge historian, and Ted Langton received his 50 year pin. Roger Dean Halden is worshipful master.

Their wives met March 20, l915, to discuss starting an Eastern Star chapter. This became a reality when Estella Chapter No. 68 was constituted Oct. 26, 1915. Name was changed to Estella Pomeroy Chapter on Aug. 23. 1924, to honor Estella Pomeroy, Kalispell, who served as worthy grand matron of Montana Grand Chapter in 1906-07. Her photo was given to the Chapter by her nephew, Bill Brass, Lakeside, during 75th anniversary celebration conducted by Laurie Shay, worthy matron, in 1990

Masons and Eastern Star sessions were conducted in the I.O.O.F hall, large brick building at the corner of First Avenue and Sixth Street West. Building was owned by John and Pete Anderson, who had Anderson Bros. Grocery on the main floor. Banquet room was in the basement. Both Independent Order of Odd Fellows and Rebekah Lodge were active in Columbia Falls.

Cornerstone laying for Masonic Temple at Nucleus Avenue and Fifth Street took place April 30, 1951. Meetings were held in the basement until upstairs was completed.

Both organizations survived through World War I and Depression years, when memberships decreased. Construction of Hungry Horse Dam brought members who transferred from home lodges and chapters. Memberships also increased with construction of Anaconda Aluminum Co. Aluminum Masonic emblem on front of the building was made by A.A.C. employees for their new building.

Masons and Eastern Stars have been active in community organizations during the century. They served as city and county elected officials and volunteer board members, officers and members of their churches, Lions, Kiwanis, Columbia Falls Food Bank, Columbia Falls Community Dinners, leaders of youth groups including Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, 4-H clubs, to name a few.

Projects in conjunction with state Masons and Eastern Stars include college scholarships, bicycles for local grade school students excelling in reading programs, cancer research, Shriners hospitals, and sight and speech programs for youths.

Estella Pomeroy Chapter consolidated with Vista Chapter No. 44, Whitefish, April 22, 1998. Both Libby Chapter and Lillian Chapter, Eureka, have consolidated with Vista. These chapters were also chartered in 1915. Centennial observance for Vista Chapter was observed in 1908. 

Betty Baldwin is worthy matron of Vista Chapter, with Curtis Peterson, worthy patron. Betty was worthy matron and her father, Ray Nelson, was worthy patron when Vista Chapter members observed the 75th anniversary on May 3, 1958.

Masonic lodge meetings are first and third Wednesdays and Eastern Stars meet first and third Mondays in Columbia Falls.

Gladys Shay is a longtime resident and columnist for the Hungry Horse News.