Montrose in Montrose County, Colorado — The American Mountains (Southwest)

Elks Lodge

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, July 19, 2025

1. Elks Lodge Marker

Inscription.
This property has been placed on the
National Register of Historic Places
by the United States Department of the Interior

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Fraternal or Sororal Organizations • Notable Buildings. In addition, it is included in the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1927.

Location. 38° 28.716′ N, 107° 52.522′ W. Marker is in Montrose, Colorado, in Montrose County. It is at the intersection of South Cascade Avenue and South 1st Street, on the right when traveling north on South Cascade Avenue. The marker is mounted directly on the subject building, on the right side of the front entrance. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 107 South Cascade Avenue, Montrose CO 81401, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the Western Slope.

It is also in the American Mountain West,

in Colorado Plateau,

and at the Four Corners.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Rocky Mountains,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once Mexico’s Alta California.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Montrose City Hall (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Preserving Our Heritage (about 400 feet away); Montrose County Jail (about 400 feet away); Veterans Memorial (about 400 feet away); Instrument of Surrender (about 400 feet away); The Winds of Change (about 400 feet

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away); a different marker also named Preserving Our Heritage (about 500 feet away); a different marker also named Preserving Our Heritage (about 500 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Montrose.

Regarding Elks Lodge. National Register of Historic Places № 04000260. Also Colorado State Register of Historic Properties Site № 5MN.5045.

From the National Register Nomination prepared by Janice Welborn-Downin & Nan Anderson, 11/19/2003:
The Mixed style Elks building was designed in 1926 by local architect J.H. Antrobus and constructed in 1927 by local contractors White and Okey at a cost of $34,600. The building was officially occupied on May 26, 1927. The local newspaper proclaimed it as being the new “social gathering place of Montrose.” The building included a permanent Lodge room in which all Elks club meetings were held. The upstairs of the building was used for social gatherings and was the largest meeting hall in town. Also located on the upper floor, the ballroom was used for social gatherings such as the annual “Yellow Rose Ball,” hosted by a local sorority. In addition, high school dances, graduation ceremonies, community dances, and dinners took place here.
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, July 19, 2025

2. Elks Lodge Marker
The marker is mounted above eye level on the right side of the front entrance.
The Ladies Auxiliary, begun in 1939 and chartered in 1944, also held meetings and social gatherings in the Lodge.
The building is significant architecturally as an excellent example of Mixed style. Elements of various styles are represented: the curvilinear parapet and arched second story window reflect the Mission Revival influence; the southwestern Indian geometric brick pattern and the use of polychromatic brick are indicative of Pueblo Deco; and Gothic influences are exhibited in the crenellated parapet and contrasting materials. Brick pilasters on the façade frame the curvilinear parapet. The Lodge number “1053” is inscribed in a stone block at the center of the curved portion, “B.P.O.E.” letters are created in accent brick across the facade, and “HOME” is spelled in individual tiles inset across the balcony front.
The Elks Lodge is associated with the history of fraternal lodges in Montrose having served as the home of the Montrose Elks from 1927-1969. The effort to establish an Elks Lodge in Montrose began shortly after the turn of the 20th century among a group of men living in Montrose at the time. Several of the men involved were charter members of the Ouray Lodge located in Ouray, a mining town 35 miles to the southeast in the San Juans. Judge John Gray, Hugo Selig (attorney), Oscar Lampman, and Mead Hammond (State Representative from Delta) are noted as being
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, July 19, 2025

3. Elks Lodge Building Entrance and Patio
Today the building houses the Municipal Court and Visitor Center.
leaders in this cause. The intention to institute a Lodge in Montrose was announced at the State Convention held in Aspen in 1904. The request to initiate a Lodge in Montrose was sought out in 1906 in Denver from the Grand Lodge Trustees. On November 30, 1906, the newspaper announced the organization of the Lodge. The article described Elks coming from all over the state to attend the installation of the local branch in Montrose.

Also see . . .
1. Benevolent & Protective Order of Elks Lodge (History Colorado).

Excerpt: Designed by locally known architect J.H. Antrobus, the building exhibits the eclectic elements typical of his design and seen on the nearby City Hall building. In addition to serving as the meeting place for the Elks for over forty years, the building was a center for community activities, hosting dinners, graduation ceremonies, and fundraising events. The bowling alley in the basement, no longer extant, provided entertainment to Lodge members.

(Submitted on January 4, 2026, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)

2. Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks Lodge (Wikipedia).

Excerpt: The cornerstone was laid on November 18, 1926, to an audience of seventy-five Elks members, and construction began in early 1927. The lodge
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, July 19, 2025

4. Elks Lodge Building (west entrance)
From the National Register Nomination: Set five feet above grade, the building's main level is accessed by concrete steps. The steps terminate at the face of the one and a half story masonry porch that projects out eight feet from the front of the building. The porch contains the main entry and has a central section featuring a baskethandle brick arch above the door with square openings on either side.
was officially occupied on May 26, 1927, and served as an Elks lodge until 1969, when the group moved to a new building that was constructed downtown. The former lodge was then used by Colorado Western College until this educational establishment closed in 1972 for lack of funding. Montrose County Social Services used the building from 1976 to 2003. The building was bought in 2003 by the City of Montrose for $400,000. It underwent renovation to house city offices and was renamed the “Elks Civic Building”. Today the building houses the Municipal Court and Visitor Center.

(Submitted on January 4, 2026, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)

Elks Lodge Building Cornerstone image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, July 19, 2025

5. Elks Lodge Building Cornerstone

Elks Lodge Building (<i>northwest elevation</i>) image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, July 19, 2025

6. Elks Lodge Building (northwest elevation)

Elks Lodge Building (<i>southwest elevation</i>) image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, July 19, 2025

7. Elks Lodge Building (southwest elevation)

Elks Lodge Building (<i>west elevation</i>) image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, July 19, 2025

8. Elks Lodge Building (west elevation)

Credits. This page was last revised on January 4, 2026. It was originally submitted on January 1, 2026, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 41 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8. submitted on January 4, 2026, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.