Clay Center Lodge #134 A.: F.: & A.: M.:

Wakefield Lodge #396 History

The following is a History written by Donald Swezey at the dedication ceremony of the lodge on January 4, 1966.

The following is a brief account of events in Wakefield Lodge #396 A.F.&A.M. of Wakefield from 1926 to 1966 inclusive. This is more or less of a supplement to the Lodge history from 1911 to 1926, compiled by Brother James B. McIntire a Charter Member, now deceased. Donald H. Swezey submits this at the request of our Grand Secretary M. W. Charles S. McGinness. Nay more my Brethren, I should say at his insistence.

Our Lodge has moved along very smoothly during these Forty- Three years, the writer having been a member for some Forty- Three years and a constant attendant. To my knowledge there has been no friction among the Brethren during that time. We lost many members during the depression years but we also very active during those same years. Starting in 1926 with a membership of 110 we increased it to 168 in 1954. Since then we have steadily declined and the present membership is 135.

In 1954 misfortune overtook us as the worst fire in the history of Wakefield burned the very fine Rankin building in which our lodge occupied the second floor. Three other business buildings were burned at the same time and everything in our lodge was lost except the safe with the lodge records within. The safe fell through 2 floors into the basement and was ruined. However the contents though somewhat charred were still legible. Naturally our insurance was inadequate.

The local I.O.O.F lodge offered us use of their hall until we could decide what wanted to do. We thought this was very generous of them. The resident Mason me in the I.O.O.F hall and decided unanimously to carry on. A two-story building adjoining the I.O.O.F. hall was available and was for sale. It was badly run down and had not been occupied for some years and we purchased it. Lodge members were contacted for cash donations and the response was gratifying. Then it was a matter of labor donations and many of the Brethrens responded. Also other lodges all over the state donated cash and used paraphernalia we were able to finish a very creditable lodge room. We were able to move in for the first meeting in September of 1955. Truly the Masonic spirit was well exemplified during this whole period.

Once again we were in business and things were running along smoothly as before. One of the highlights in our new home was Raising Brother Bill Avery, who later became the Governor of Kansas. On occasion we invited all neighboring lodges and the hall was packed.

Our prosperity was short lived. For years Wakefield had threatened with a dam on the Republican River a few miles down river from town. This became known as the Milford Dam.

This project, sponsored by the U.S. Army Engineers displaced more than half of the town, including our lodge hall. The Engineers began purchasing property late in 1963 and residents could either move away or relocate in part of the “New Wakefield” which was adjoined the upper portion of that part of town which was not taken. Some moved away, some built houses, and many moved their old homes. The final offer for the lodge hall was $7400.00, which we accepted after being threatened with condemnations proceedings. The Odd Fellows received about the same amount for their holdings and since neither lodge could build a hall for that amount, both lodges decided to construct a building to be used jointly. This plan seems to be working out successfully and we are again grateful to that offer.

This called for contacting the membership again for help and though it had been only nine short years since we asked for financial aid, we received more than $1,000.00. Then came the labor problem and once more the Brethren responded. The building was completed late in 1965 and we were able to move in for the first meeting in January 1966. \In May 1966 the town decided to hold a three-day celebration in honor of the “New Wakefield” and on the 28^th of that month our hall was formally dedicated by our M.W. Grand Master, William E. Montgomery and other Grand Lodge officers. A copy of the program for this event is attached hereto. Our Grand Secretary, who was also present for the ceremony, prepared it.

Following is a record of the activity of this lodge from 1926 to 1966 inclusive:

Raised 166, Restored 31, Admitted 27, Demitted 56, suspended 69, Deaths 73.

A copy of this history will be sent to our Grand Secretary M.W. Charles S. McGinness to be filed in his office with the previous lodge history.

Fraternally submitted

Donald H. Swezey