Lodge History

History of Fall River Elks Lodge No. 118

A Legacy of Service Since 1889

Fall River Elks Lodge No. 118, B.P.O.E., has been a part of the Greater Fall River community since 1889. For more than a century, the Lodge has promoted the ideals of charity, patriotism, and fellowship while supporting local charitable causes, youth programs, veterans initiatives, and community events.From its early meeting halls in downtown Fall River to its present home on North Main Street, Lodge 118 has continued the proud traditions of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks while adapting to serve each new generation of members and the community they call home.

The History of Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks (B.P.O.E.)

The Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks traces its origins to February 16, 1868, when a group of actors and entertainers in New York City formed a social and charitable brotherhood known as the “Jolly Corks.” Within a few years the organization adopted the name Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks (B.P.O.E.), expanding its mission beyond fellowship to include charitable work, patriotism, and community service. The organization grew rapidly across the United States and eventually became one of the largest fraternal and charitable organizations in the United States.Just over two decades after the founding of the Order, the Elks movement reached Fall River.

Founding of Fall River Lodge No. 118

Fall River Lodge No. 118 was officially organized on May 20, 1889, with fifty-five charter members. From its earliest days, the lodge quickly became an important part of the civic and social life of the city.The lodge’s first officers included:

Exalted Ruler: Albert L. Nichols
Esteemed Leading Knight: Jonathan W. Lindsey
Esteemed Loyal Knight: Michael McManus
Esteemed Lecturing Knight: John Moriarty
Secretary: George W. Rankin
Treasurer: Warren S. Barker

During its early years, the lodge temporarily adopted the by-laws of the nearby New Bedford Lodge until it established its own governing structure.The formation of the lodge occurred during a time when fraternal organizations played a central role in American civic life. Lodges provided fellowship and mutual support while also serving their communities through charitable works, civic engagement, and patriotic observances.

Early Meeting Places

During its early years, the Fall River Elks did not yet have a permanent home. Instead, the lodge met at several locations throughout the city as membership steadily increased.Among the early meeting places were:

G.A.R. Hall
The quarters of Puritan Lodge, Knights of Pythias
Leased rooms in the Massasoit-Pocasset National Bank Building at the corner of Second and Bedford Streets

These locations served the lodge during its formative years while members worked toward establishing a permanent home for the organization.

The Downtown Elks Home (1911–1972)

In 1911, Fall River Lodge No. 118 dedicated its first permanent lodge home at the northeast corner of Bank and Purchase Streets in downtown Fall River.The three-story building soon became a prominent landmark in downtown Fall River. Designed to serve both the lodge and the surrounding business district, the structure included retail storefronts on the ground floor, which generated rental income for the lodge. Above the commercial spaces were the lodge’s social rooms and meeting facilities, where members gathered for meals, social functions, and lodge business. The main lodge hall, located on the upper floor, served as the setting for official meetings, initiations, and ceremonial events.For more than six decades the building served as the center of Elks activity in Fall River. Members gathered there to plan charitable efforts, host social events, conduct meetings, and observe important patriotic traditions.A distinctive feature of the building was the large gilded Elk head mounted high on its exterior, which became a familiar symbol of the lodge’s presence in downtown Fall River.

Early Flag Day Observances

Fall River Lodge No. 118 also played an important role in promoting patriotic observances in the community. Long before Flag Day became a nationally recognized observance and later an official federal holiday, Elks lodges across the country held annual ceremonies honoring the American flag.In June 1930, the Fall River Herald News reported that Fall River Lodge hosted a large Flag Day celebration that included a parade through the city and patriotic exercises at South Park, attended by more than 1,000 spectators.Events such as these reflected the lodge’s long-standing commitment to patriotism and civic engagement.

The Golden Anniversary – 1939

In 1939, Fall River Lodge No. 118 celebrated its 50th Anniversary, marking half a century of service to the community. The celebration was held with a formal banquet at the historic Hotel Mellen in downtown Fall River.The event drew distinguished guests from across the Commonwealth, including the Grand Exalted Ruler of the Order, members of the Massachusetts judiciary, and prominent political leaders such as Governor Leverett Saltonstall and Congressman Joseph W. Martin Jr.Approximately 350 members and guests attended the celebration, reflecting the lodge’s growth and prominence within the community. At the time of the Golden Anniversary, the lodge had grown from its original fifty-five charter members to approximately 570 members.

Traditions of the Elks

Like Elks lodges across the country, Fall River Lodge No. 118 carries forward many of the traditions that define the organization.Central to the identity of the Order are the four guiding principles:

Charity
Justice
Brotherly Love
Fidelity

One of the most meaningful traditions observed throughout the Order is the Eleven O’Clock Toast. At gatherings of Elks, when the clock reaches the eleventh hour, members pause to offer a toast “To Our Absent Members.” The toast serves as a moment of reflection and remembrance for members who have passed away.Elks lodges also observe a number of patriotic ceremonies throughout the year, including Flag Day, Memorial Day, Mother’s Day, and Elks Memorial Day, as well as participation in Americanism Week.

The Diamond Jubilee – 1964

Fall River Lodge No. 118 celebrated its 75th Anniversary, known as its Diamond Jubilee, in 1964. The event was marked with a large celebration held at the Bank Street Armory.The program included entertainment by the Bishop Stang Junior-Senior Glee Club, as well as dancing with music provided by Jimmy Seneca’s Orchestra. Civic leaders and public officials attended the celebration, recognizing the lodge’s long-standing commitment to community service and charitable work.The Diamond Jubilee highlighted the lodge’s continued importance in the civic and social life of Fall River.

Planning for a New Lodge Home

By the mid-1960s, membership in Fall River Lodge No. 118 had grown substantially, and the downtown building that had served the organization since 1911 was no longer sufficient for the lodge’s needs.In 1966, the lodge purchased property on North Main Street near the municipal airport, located on the site of the former Northfield Farm, also known as Cote’s Farm.A key figure in the project was Anton M. Kaiser, a longtime lodge member who volunteered his professional expertise. Kaiser donated his time and services to prepare the architectural plans and specifications for the new building.At the time the new building was nearing completion, the lodge had grown to more than 900 members.

Dedication of the North Main Street Lodge

After several years of planning and construction, Fall River Lodge No. 118 officially dedicated its new home on August 12, 1972.The gilded Elk head that had adorned the Bank and Purchase Street building for decades was carefully preserved and relocated to the new lodge, where it was installed above the entrance of the North Main Street facility as a symbolic link between the lodge’s past and present.

Lodge No. 118 Today

Today, Fall River Elks Lodge No. 118 continues to serve the Greater Fall River community more than a century after its founding.Through charitable giving, scholarships, veterans programs, youth activities, drug awareness programs, and community events, the lodge remains committed to the ideals that have guided the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks since its founding: Charity, Justice, Brotherly Love, and Fidelity.

Looking Toward the Future

For more than 137 years, Fall River Elks Lodge No. 118 has remained dedicated to serving its members, supporting the community, and preserving the traditions of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. From its beginnings in downtown meeting halls, through its decades at Bank and Purchase Streets, and now at its home on North Main Street, the lodge has continued to serve the people of Fall River and the surrounding communities.As new generations of members join the Order, Fall River Elks Lodge No. 118 carries forward a proud tradition of service while honoring the legacy built by those who came before.

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