Section D Pg 19 Missoulian Centennial Moose Lodge Here for 49 Years
Moose Lodge Active Here for 49 Years
Missoula’s Moose Lodge, housed in the 400 block on Stevens street, has contributed to the community for 49 years.
Missoula Lodge 556, Loyal Order of Moose, was chartered April 21, 1911. The original charter was signed by the first 154 members. Among them were H. E. Blakely, E. H. Barnwell, James D. Finefrock, J. L. Spohn, Charles Mace, James Orr, F. H. Finely and W. J. Gibson.
The auxiliary, Missoula Chapter 243, Women of the Moose, was chartered in 1918. Mr. Rose Thibodeau, Mrs. Anna Pigg, Mrs. Annetta Hayden, Mrs. Welta Townsend, Mrs. Emily Barrett, Mrs. Eva Johnson and Mrs. Mella Carter were the charter members.
Youth Honor Day
The civic affairs program of the Moose embraces Youth Honor Day and the blood program. The Red Heart Tag Day was initiated in 1938 as a benefit for the Shodair Crippled Children’s Hospital in Helena.
Women of the Moose are concerned not only with the philanthropic work within the organization, but with furthering all civic movements and other enterprises directed toward greater welfare and better health for children and the betterment of homes and communities.
$150,000 Project
Members constructed a new lodge in 1940 at a cost of $150,000. Their previous address had been 218 Stevens St.
In 1928 the Missoula Moose had two elected to state offices. They were W. O. Blair, who was elected state president, and Mrs. Eva Johnson, who became president of the Montana auxiliary.
In 1938 Hezekiah Van Dorn was re-elected to the highest office of the lodge – that of dictator. It was the first time the post had been filled successfully by the same man.
Certificate Received
In 1957 the Missoula Lodge erected signs with the legend “Protect Our Children” urging drivers to be careful. The same year the local lodge was awarded a special certificate of merit in the Moose International Community Service Awards competition for outstanding work.
Moose officers for 1959-60: Jess McDonald, junior past governor; Harley Morris, governor; Frank Ward, junior governor; Wilson Minnerly, prelate; Richard Mitchell, treasurer, and Frank Kurth, three-year trustee.