History of the HUNTINGTON Beach Elks Lodge No. 1959

    In 1954 a committee was formed for the purpose of looking into the feasibility of
instituting an Elks Lodge in Huntington Beach. Santa Ana Elks Lodge No. 794 (who had
jurisdiction over this area) was presented with a petition to for them Huntington Beach Elks
Lodge.

    After many meetings were held all over Huntington Beach on March 7, 1955, Grand
Lodge granted Huntington Beach dispension to form a Lodge.

    On March 26, 1955 at 3:30 P.M., about 219 men met at Memorial Hall in Huntington
Beach to become charter members of Huntington Beach Elks Lodge.

    On April 5, 1955 Huntington Beach Elks Lodge held the first regular meeting at 380
Ocean Ave. (corner of Main and Coast Highway), Dr. S.N. Kowitt, E. R., presided with about 150
members in attendance.

    On July 14, 1955 Grand Lodge issued the charter to officially form Huntington Beach Elks
Lodge No. 1959. Meetings were held at 380 Ocean Ave. for about three years in March of 1958
the Lodge purchased the Old Huntington Beach Inn. It was at this time that the Ocean Front
Corporation was formed. On March 4, 1958, the first meeting was held in the Old Huntington
Beach Inn, 804 Ocean Ave. (corner of 8th and Coast Highway). Dedication Ceremonies were
held on September 13, 1958, George Cottingham, E. R., presided.

    The Elks met at the Lodge on 8th and Ocean for the next 11 years. In 1968 after much of
the building had been condemned by the city, a committee was formed to find a new home for
the Lodge. After many buildings and properties had been checked out, the property on the
northeast corner of Clay and Florida St., (about 2 ½ acres), were purchased for about
$50,000.00 from the sale of the property on 8th and Ocean to Union Oil Co. for $200,000.00.
Before construction could be started the State of California put a halt to it, stating that they
had plans for a freeway offramp on the site. After over a year of negotiation with the state, a
trade was made for the property on the southwest corner of Talbert Ave. and Ward St. in
Fountain Valley.

    During the time of the negotiation with the state, and the construction of our new
Lodge in Fountain Valley, the Elks met at the Old Huntington Beach Country Club until it was
closed, and then at the Huntington Beach Moose Lodge for the remainder of the time.

    In December of 1970 we received permission from Grand Lodge to start construction in
Fountain Valley. Ground Breaking Ceremonies were held at the site, Chuck Sperrazzo, E. R.,
presided.

    Construction went well and we were able to hold our first meeting in July at the new
Lodge at 10840 Talbert Ave. All of the landscaping work was furnished by the members of the
Lodge. On November 6 and 7, 1971 Dedication Ceremonies were held, Jerry B. Dryden, E. R.,
presided.
    By 1976 there was again a need to expand, and on March 13, 1977 Ground Breaking
Ceremonies were held for a new building, Al Rochlin, E.R., presided.

    On October 29, 1977 Dedication Ceremonies were held in the new Lodge building, Jack
Cullison, E.R., presided.

    During the next ten years the Lodge had its ups and downs. During the period of 1987
through 1989 committees worked on relocating the Lodge, possibly back to Huntington Beach.

    On October 17, 1989 the Lodge voted on, and approved the sale of the property in
Fountain Valley for $4,000,000.00 and the purchase of the property in Huntington Beach for
the purpose of relocating the Lodge.

    Grand Lodge approval came on November 6, 1989.

    On February 17, 1990 Ground Breaking Ceremonies were held, Gene Taylor, E.R.,
presided.

    On August 21, 1990 the last meeting was held at the Lodge in Fountain Valley, P.E.R.
Jerry B. Dryden presided, and during construction of our new Lodge, we met at the
Westminster Elks Lodge.

    On December 18, 1990 the first meeting and initiation of 9 new members was held in
our new Lodge in Huntington Beach, John Cirillo, E.R., presided.
    On March 16, 1991 Dedication Ceremonies were held in our new Lodge, John Cirillo,
E.R., presided.
    On March 21, 1992 our first Anniversary Celebration was held.

    This history was written to the best of my knowledge.
____________________________________
P.E.R., Jerry B. Dryden