LeDroit Park in Northwest Washington in Washington, District of Columbia — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)

Elks Columbia Lodge No. 85

1844 Third Street, NW

— African American Heritage Trail, Washington DC —

Elks Columbia Lodge No. 85 Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Allen C. Browne, August 8, 2015

1. Elks Columbia Lodge No. 85 Marker

Inscription. Columbia Lodge No. 85 of the Improved Benevolent and Protective Order of the Elks of the World was incorporated in Washington in 1906, eight years after the parent organization was incorporated in Cincinnati, Ohio. Lodge No. 85's first meeting took place at the True Reformer Hall on U Street, NW. By the 1940s, the organization counted 3,000 members and was well known for its community service and grand parades. In 1925 the Elks purchased a large house at 301 Rhode Island Avenue. Forty years later they sold that headquarters and most of the land, retaining only the portion where they built this new lodge in 1968.

Erected by Cultural Tourism DC.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Fraternal or Sororal Organizations. In addition, it is included in the African American Heritage Trail series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1844.

Location. 38° 54.906′ N, 77° 0.95′ W. Marker is in Northwest Washington in Washington, District of Columbia. It is in LeDroit Park. Marker is on 3rd Street Northwest south of Rhode Island Avenue Northwest (U.S. 1), on the left when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1844 3rd Street Northwest, Washington DC 20001, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within

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walking distance of this marker. A Voice from the South (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Anna Julia Hayward Cooper Residence (about 400 feet away); The Prettiest Place (about 500 feet away); DC and the Development of the International Bear Brotherhood Flag (about 600 feet away); Government Girls (about 600 feet away); T Street Elites (about 700 feet away); Christian Fleetwood and Sara Fleetwood Residence Site (about 700 feet away); Alice Moore Dunbar [Nelson] and Paul Laurence Dunbar Residence (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Northwest Washington.

Regarding Elks Columbia Lodge No. 85. Scurlock Studio Collection, Archives Center, National Museum of American History, Smithsonian Institution

[This goes along with photo 4.]

Photographed By Allen C. Browne, August 8, 2015

2. Elks Columbia Lodge No. 85 Marker

Photographed By Allen C. Browne, August 8, 2015

3. Elks Columbia Lodge No. 85 Marker

The Elks Public Appearance Club in front of the Elks headquarters, 1930s image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Allen C. Browne, August 8, 2015

4. The Elks Public Appearance Club in front of the Elks headquarters, 1930s

Close-up of Scurlock photo on marker

Columbia Lodge No. 85 image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Allen C. Browne, August 8, 2015

5. Columbia Lodge No. 85

IBPOEW
Organized 1906

Elk Columbia Lodge No. 85 image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Allen C. Browne, August 8, 2015

6. Elk Columbia Lodge No. 85

I.B.P.O.E. of W. image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Allen C. Browne, August 8, 2015

7. I.B.P.O.E. of W.

Dedicated Oct. 25, 1970. Cornerstone Layed
E.R. Pembroke J. Duvall June 14, 1980
E. S. Hubert Parker E.R. Rev. Stanley B. Barry, PCER,
F.S. James Wilson PCER.

Photographed By Allen C. Browne, August 8, 2015

8. Elk

11:00 O'Clock

Credits. This page was last revised on January 30, 2023. It was originally submitted on August 14, 2015, by Allen C. Browne of Silver Spring, Maryland. This page has been viewed 699 times since then and 80 times this year. Last updated on April 12, 2021, by Carl Gordon Moore Jr. of North East, Maryland. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8. submitted on August 14, 2015, by Allen C. Browne of Silver Spring, Maryland. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.