Hinsdale Masonic Lodge has played a pivotal part in the history
in the village since the late 1800's. One of our early members
contributed the wood used to lay the first boardwalk in Hinsdale.
The secretary's notes detail the end of World War I and the celebration
in the streets that followed, as well as "The Great Influenza Epidemic"
of the early 1900's. The lodge paused for a moment of prayer after the
bombing of Pearl Harbor and saw many of its young members depart to
fight in yet another war.
Our Lodge hall, picture at right, was a gathering place for young men,
above what was Evernden's Drug Store. "Doc" Evernden, also a prominent
Hinsdale Mason, rented the hall above his store to other fraternal
organizations such as the Ancient Order of United Workmen, the Modern
Woodmen of America, the Knights Templar, as well as dance schools and
other groups.
When other organizations experienced losses such as fire, our Hall
served as their meeting place.
While the downstairs tenants have changed many times, one constant in
Hinsdale has been Freemasonry. Serving as the bedrock of Hinsdale for
more than a century, we continue to give back to the community by way of
charitable donations of time and money.
Hinsdale Lodge Circa 1920