ABOUT LODGE #1713
The History of Jackson Elks Lodge #1713
We are very proud of the history of the Jackson Hole Elks Lodge #1713. The lodge began in 1946 with 50 charter members with the official charter being received on July 17th, 1947. Meetings were held at the Clubhouse on the east side of town square.
Notable founding exalted rulers were George Halbrook in 1946. He was followed by Fred Houchens, Fred Abercrombie, Harold Livingston, Van McKinstry and Jack Frome.
In 1952, Neil Rafferty built the ski shelter on Snow King Mountain and the Elks met there regularly until they traded that land plus $50 for the location on West Broadway where members still meet today.
The current club was remodeled and enlarged in 1961. Jackson’s kindergarten class was held in the basement of the lodge until the bowling alley was installed in 1964.
Jackson’s membership is up to 700 members and growing.
Jackson Elks Lodge Today
In the past five years the group has given over $350,000 to local organizations and people in need, including the Boy Scouts of America, C-Bar-V, Central Wyoming College, the Children’s Learning Center, the Jackson Food Cupboard, the Senior Center of Jackson Hole, and Wyoming Special Olympics. The money raised has also gone to veterans and active troops, youth athletics, needy youth, medical fundraisers and Elks Angel scholarships for children of fallen servicemen and women, among other causes.
The Elks provide a free annual Mother’s Day brunch and have adopted the free community Thanksgiving dinner. Wednesday night bingo games throughout the winter fund up to $12,000 annually in scholarships for deserving high school students every year.
The Jackson Elks Lodge is a home for all Elks. Both local and visiting members alike congregate and have social interactions five days a week throughout the year. With a full bar and different social events and occasional food service, the Lodge is a great place to relax or watch the game.
Elks Lodge #1713 Meetings - Officers and members meet the 2nd & 4th Mondays of each month, except July & Aug only on the 4th Monday. December meetings are the 2nd Monday only.
Initiations take place at the first meeting of the month.Bowling - The Elks Lodge is home to the only bowling alley in the town of Jackson. The bowling alley operates as a rental space, so you do need to reserve lanes in advance of your visit. The alley is comprised of four lanes and comes with a wide array of bowling balls and rental shoes.
Beverages are available for purchase at the bowling alley bar. You can even create your own party playlist on the jukebox.
For availability contact Bowling Manager Sam Carey via email to reserve the lanes here.Lodge Bar - Join your fellow Elks for a beverage at the Lodge Bar. Open nightly, the Lodge Bar is fully stocked with beer, wine and spirits. There are typically three different beers on tap, as well as nightly specials.
The Lodge Bar is open M-F 5pm to close. And additional times as events occur. Check the calendar for details.Lodge Celebrations – Looking for a fantastic venue to host a birthday party or a fundraiser? The Elks Lodge has it all. It’s no problem to host a party for twenty or two hundred.
The lodge has a commercial kitchen if you’re looking to have dinner with your event, and the bar is always available to serve your guests their favorite alcoholic and non alcoholic beverages.
For more information and pricing, please contact the lodge via email here or by phone at 307-733-1713.
Do you have a piece of Elks history? Please share it with us!
You can send us photographs, news articles, and share your stories. We would love to feature Lodge #1713 history here on the website and with members in our newsletter.
Please email us at elks@jacksonholeeelks.org
Lodge #1713 Officers and Trustees
Lodge officers perform the Initiation Ritual and other ritual and Lodge services throughout the year for our membership. You will find them at Lodge meetings, activities and out in public representing our Lodge in the community for special events.
Officers and Trustees meet the 2nd & 4th Mondays July & Aug meet on the 4th Monday only. December meets the 2nd Monday only.
ER- Michelle Voorhees
Leading Knight- Matt Hall
Loyal Knight- Rob Weed
Lecturing Knight- Jeff Brown
Treasurer- Drew Scott
Secretary- Madeleine Donovan
3 year Trustee- Brad Abrams
2 year Trustee- Lance Ash
TRUSTEES
The trustees are the governing body of the lodge finances. Budget, charitable disbursements, and all lodge revenue and expenditures are under the oversight of the trustees.
John Fox Georgia Ligori
Gail Miller Pete Kendzior
Photo of most of the founders. From left to right E.M.Platt, F.Langhorn, W.M.Carleton, W.W Shepard, R.R.Stirely, Charles Vivian, John T.Kent, M. Vandermark, Bosworth, M.G. Ashe.
History of the Benevolent and
Protective Order of Elks
MISSION STATEMENT
To inculcate the principles of Charity, Justice, Brotherly Love and Fidelity; to recognize a belief in God; to promote the welfare and enhance the happiness of its Members; to quicken the spirit of American patriotism; to cultivate good fellowship; to perpetuate itself as a fraternal organization, and to provide for its government, the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks of the United States of America will serve the people and communities through benevolent programs, demonstrating that Elks Care and Elks Share.
HISTORY
The moving spirit for the Elks was an Englishman named Charles Algernon Sidney Vivian. Born October 22, 1842, this son of a clergyman was a successful comic singer and dancer in the music halls of London. In November 1867, Vivian arrived in New York City to try his fortune.
Other actors and entertainers soon gravitated toward his magnetic personality. With everything closed on Sunday because of New York City Blue Laws, a group of theatrical people began meeting for their own amusement under Vivian's leadership. A loose organization was formed to make sure the larder was well-stocked for these gatherings. They called themselves the Jolly Corks, a name derived from a trick introduced by Vivian in which the uninitiated purchased a round of refreshments.
When one of their members died shortly before Christmas in 1867, leaving his wife and children destitute, the Jolly Corks decided that in addition to good fellowship, they needed a more enduring organization to serve those in need.
On February 16, 1868, they established the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks and elected Vivian to head it. Its social activities and benefit performances increased the popularity of the new Order. Membership grew rapidly. Elks traveling to other cities spread the word of the Brotherhood of Elks. Soon there were requests for Elks Lodges in cities other than New York.
In response to these appeals, the Elks asked the New York State legislature for a charter authorizing the establishment of a Grand Lodge with the power to establish local Lodges anywhere in the United States. When the Grand Lodge Charter was issued, the founders then received the first local charter as New York Lodge No. 1 on March 10, 1871.
