Grand Junction in Mesa County, Colorado — The American Mountains (Southwest)
Grand Junction Elks Lodge #575
c. 1900
Photographed By Mark Hilton, July 7, 2018
1. Grand Junction Elks Lodge #575 Marker
Lodge #575 was designed with a strong Italian Renaissance style by the firm of Jenkins and Branscombe, a local firm of architects and engineers. In March 1914, a race to raise money to help pay for the lodge was staged at the fairgrounds at Lincoln Park. Famous race car driver Barney Oldfield drove an automobile while aviation pioneer Lincoln Beachey flew an airplane. Oldfield and his car won the race. The building cost $38,326.25 to build; with furniture and fixtures, the total cost was $79,815.31.
In 1949, the lodge approved a reconstruction of the interior and the dark walls were painted over. Gone were the Music Room, Library, and the elaborate Palm Room with its live fish pond and fountain. The remodeled lodge included a new ballroom. Through its years of use, this lodge has hosted school proms, WWI and WWII soldiers, dances, and fundraisers.
Erected by Colorado Historical Society. (Marker Number 2.)
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Fraternal or Sororal Organizations
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Location. 39° 3.94′ N, 108° 33.978′ W. Marker is in Grand Junction, Colorado, in Mesa County. Marker is at the intersection of South 4th Street and Ute Avenue (U.S. 50), on the right when traveling south on South 4th Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 249 South 4th Street, Grand Junction CO 81501, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Whitman School (within shouting distance of this marker); St. Regis Hotel (within shouting distance of this marker); Sampliner’s Dry Goods (about 600 feet away, measured in a direct line); Mesa Drug/City Market (about 700 feet away); Grand Junction News Established (about 700 feet away); Bannister Furniture (about 700 feet away); The Fair Building (approx. 0.2 miles away); Benge’s Shoe Store (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Grand Junction.
Regarding Grand Junction Elks Lodge #575. A one-story room for dancing and an enlarged meeting room were later added to the south side of the original Italian Renaissance-Style structure. The second floor interior ceiling is composed of numerous small stained glass panels, each bearing the name of a deceased lodge member.
Photographed By Mark Hilton, July 7, 2018
2. The Grand Junction Elks Lodge #575
Credits. This page was last revised on July 13, 2018. It was originally submitted on July 13, 2018, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama. This page has been viewed 313 times since then and 15 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on July 13, 2018, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama.
