In 1876, Granite Lodge #352, Parry Sound, was the first of our
District Lodges to obtain a charter. The first Master was R. W.
Bro. R. Nettleton and was a part of Toronto District.
Muskoka Lodge #360, Bracebridge, was chartered in 1877. They
too were a part of Toronto District. The first Master was
W.
Bro. I. Huber.
In 1878 the Districts were numbered and
our District became
Toronto #8.
In 1879, Unity Lodge #376, Huntsville , obtained its charter
under their first Master, W. Bro. (Rev.) W. M. Tooke.
The same year, Georgian District #9 was formed and the three
Lodges became a part of it.
In 1885, Golden
Rule Lodge #409, Gravenhurst, was chartered,
with W. Bro. W. B. Irving as their first Master. Now we were
four.
... Fire severely damaged the Muskoka Lodge room and the
furniture in 1886.
In 1889, Strong Lodge #423, Sundridge, was given their charter
and the first Master was W. Bro. Bernard Wickett. Now we were
five.
Georgian District #9 became Nipissing District #18 in 1892.
The first DDGM was R. W. Bro. I. Huber of Muskoka Lodge #360.
We were soon to be joined by Algonquin Lodge #434, Emsdale in
1895. W. Bro. Wm. A. Killpatrick was their first Master. Now we
were six.
In 1897, Powassan Lodge #443, Powassan, received its charter
with W. Bro. Wm Carmichael as the first Master. Now we were
seven.
The District was completed in 1902 when Corona Lodge #454,
Burks Falls, was given it’s charter. W. Bro. R.J. Watson was
the first Master.
The minutes of the annual district meeting on July 16, 1903
have the following entry. " While we were swimming, the
northern and newer part of Nipissing District #18 stole our
name, our number and our clothes; now the southern and older
part of it is Muskoka District #19".
R.W. Bro. A. J. Whitby
of Strong Lodge was the first DDGM.
... In 1906, the Corona Lodge room and contents were totally
destroyed by fire, with no insurance. They worked under
dispensation till a suitable room could be procured wholly for
their own use.
It took six ballots to elect a DDGM at the 1909 annual
meeting perhaps leading to the present practice of each lodge
taking its turn. This was discussed at the 1924 annual meeting.
... On March 10, 1911, the new Corona Lodge room was dedicated.
About a year later, on Apr. 24, 1912 the Algonquin Lodge was
totally destroyed by fire -some insurance.
Lodges of instruction were a regular part of District
activities. The format of one held in Huntsville in 1913, and
another held in Bracebridge in 1921, indicate that our former
brethren had stamina and dedication. The first session was from
about 2:45 p.m. to 5:45 p.m. then a break for refreshments. Then
an evening session from 7:15 to 10. 30 p.m. Then a banquet
starting at 11:15 p.m. with the usual toasts and entertainment.
Each District Lodge took a part in presenting the work.
At the official visit of the DDGM to Golden Rule Lodge #409,
in Feb. 1907, the work of the evening consisted of two passings
and one raising. A busy night!
On May 1, 1916, the Granite Lodge building was sold.
The Lodge
remaining as tenants. On June 1, 1922, Granite Lodge bought the
building back and renovated it at a cost of $24,000.
At the 1921 annual meeting, the following membership
information was submitted: Granite 248; Muskoka 108; Unity 153;
Golden Rule 128; Strong 93; Algonquin 115; Powassan 69; Corona
102.
Total District membership was 1018 which is not far from the
District membership at this time.
During 1921 there were 91 initiations in the District, 27 of
which were done by Unity Lodge.
"On June 16, 1921 Golden Rule Lodge acquired a new and
beautiful name and new Lodge building facilities." (
I need
help on this. Did Golden Rule Lodge have a different name early
in it’s history? )
We almost became a District of nine lodges. At the 1920
annual meeting, "R.W. Bro. Clipshaw read a report of an
investigation into a petition of Bala and Port Carling Brethren
re; forming a new Lodge to be known as Moore Falls Lodge. No
further mention of this proposed Lodge is made.
In 1925 reference is made to an ‘enlarged, remodelled and
greatly improved Muskoka Lodge room and banquet room.’
In 1928, R.W. Bro. Wilson was appointed permanent custodian
of the District minute book.
R.W. Bro. Buret of Corona Lodge informed the 1933 annual
meeting "He understood that Nipissing District was
contemplating making an effort to have Powassan Lodge
transferred to that District. W.Bro. Paul of Powassan assured
the meeting that their Lodge had no intention of leaving Muskoka
District. He was heavily applauded by the delegates
present."
This same proposal was made regarding changes in District
composition in 1988. Protests from Sister Lodges in our District
and other individual protests to the Grand Lodge were made, and
in 1989, R.W. Bro. Bev Roberts expressed his thanks that
Powassan was to remain in our District. There was, and is, a lot
of loyalty and fraternal brotherhood in our District.
At the 1934 annual meeting it was moved that the name of
our
District be changed from Muskoka District #19 to Parry Sound and
Muskoka District. It was carried. This was rescinded at the 1935
meeting but no reasons appear in the minute book.
In 1936 and 1937, the formation of a Past Masters Association
in our District was proposed.
In 1942, it was proposed again and a committee formed. At the
1943 annual meeting, the DDGM reported that the Past Masters,
Masters and Wardens Association had been formed. "R.W. Bro
Hayward read the history of the formation of the Association
which he had incorporated in the District history." This
District history book was referred to at the 1950 meeting. The
need to keep an up-to-date history of the District is mentioned
in many annual meeting minutes. R.W. Bro. Preston Gerhart took
over as District historian in 1954. Does anyone know where these
records are now?
In 1944, R.W. Bro. Thomas Millest, of Huntsville, the father
of Bro. Jim Millest, holder of the William Mercer Wilson medal,
was elected as District Deputy Grand Master.
In 1953, R.W. Bro. Stanley Anderson of Powassan Lodge,
(who
just recently passed away), was elected as DDGM.
In 1955, Grand Lodge met at the coliseum at the Canadian
National Exhibition in Toronto. "as this was our one
hundredth communication, the Grand Lodge opened at three
o’clock on the Sunday afternoon with a giant church service in
front of the grandstand. Dr. Harold Young was the speaker, the
Bishop of Algoma, the Right Rev. W. L. Wright assisting. The
grandstand was filled to overflowing."
In 1956, "Bro. Mckinley spoke regarding changing the
name of Muskoka District to read Muskoka-Parry Sound or Parry
Sound -Muskoka District, and a very interesting discussion
of the subject followed" (I’ll bet it did.) This was
referred to the Grand Master.
In 1957, the name change was again discussed and referred to
the Past Masters, Masters and Wardens Association.
In 1958, the name change
subject was referred to the DDGM to work with
the Grand Lodge and report to the 1959 meeting.
In 1959, the annual meeting adopted the name "Muskoka-Parry
Sound District" as authorized by Grand Lodge.
In 1969 the per capita levy for the expenses of the DDGM was
increased by 66 2/3%.........from $.15 to $.25.
Up to 1971, banquet tickets for the official visits were
charged to the Lodges. It was recommended to the Past Masters ,
Masters and Wardens Assn. that the tickets should be charged to
each member.
Up to 1973, Grand Lodge had met at different cities in the
jurisdiction for the annual communication. In 1973 it was held
at the Royal York Hotel in Toronto and has met there since that
time.
In his report to Grand Lodge in
1907, R.W. Bro. James Whitten,
DDGM, at Grand Lodge described Muskoka District #19 as
follows: "I have found the various lodges enthusiastic in
the work of the Craft. It has been a continual delight to me to
see how familiar the Brethren are with the work. Good feeling
prevails. The Brethren are seeking for the best and are glad to
receive any suggestions that promise a better practice of the
Masonic art. There is still room for growth even in our most
privileged lodges." This description is just as appropriate
now as it was then.
What have we learned from this glimpse at the evolution of
Muskoka-Parry Sound District? Should we be locating the history
of the District and arranging the mechanics of keeping District
history up to date on a year to year basis?
Should we be arranging the mechanics of putting the history
on the District web page and thereby making it accessible to
District members and the public alike? Either through their own
computer or at local libraries. Where do the district Lodges
store historic records, such as minute books? Are the storage
facilities fireproof? Are these topics that should be discussed
and acted on by the Past Masters, Masters and Wardens
Association? Some things to think about.
One final thought to leave with you. "To neglect the
past is to ensure having to put up with, rather than affecting
the future." Thank you.
The above District History
was compiled and presented by V.W. Bro. Gordon Finbow, of
Unity Lodge No. 376, Huntsville.
We thank him for allowing us to place it on the Internet as he
so eloquently had delivered it to the brethren of the District.
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