Tompkins History
In most minds, Huguenot Lodge, No. 381 is older than Tompkins Lodge. That is true only under the present Charter of Tompkins Lodge. Under the original Charter, Tompkins Lodge was instituted about a year-and-a-half earlier. A Warrant was issued on December 6, 1853, to Isaac Lea, Master; Jack B. Wood, Senior Warden; and James Harcour, Junior Warden; authorizing them to open a Lodge at Stapleton, to be known asTtompkins Lodge, No. 145. Their first meeting place was in the old Tompkins Lyceum, located at the spot later occupied by the German Club Rooms. In 1856, they removed to Masonic Hall, located at what was then Front and Minthorne Streets, in Tompkinsville. A year later the building was destroyed by fire and the Lodge lost everything. It is believed that they did not meet again under the old Charter.
On March 31, 1859, a new Dispensation was granted by MW John L. Lewis, Grand Master who appointed Isaac Lea, Master; Henry Crabtree, Senior Warden; and Mark Cox, Junior Warden. The first communication under the new Dispensation was on April 5, 1859, in Tompkins Lyceum. In the following June, a charter was issued to Tompkins Lodge, No. 471. It moved to the Week Building on the west side of Griffin Street; and in May, 1866, to Egbert Hall; and again on May 1, 1876, into new quarters in Tynan's Building. The present Temple at Bay and Sand Streets, was occupied in 1901.
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