Drytown Lodge No. 174

Chartered - October 13, 1865

History of Our Grand Old Lodge

This is a historical recapitulation of meeting minutes and other notations made by the officers and members of Drytown Lodge No. 174; it is a history of Drytown Lodge No. 174.  This history, as presented here, was researched and prepared by Worshipful Franklyn A. Dominy, P.M. in celebration of Drytown's 100th anniversary (1965) and is once again presented here as a testimonial to those who came before.

The history of Drytown Lodge No. 174 cannot be told without mentioning the first Masonic Lodge in the gold rush mining town of Drytown. Tyro Lodge No. 73, first served the community however Tyro Lodge was dissolved in 1859. It was the perseverance and spirit of brotherly love sustained by the last remaining members of Tyro Lodge that became the foundation of Drytown Lodge.

These members by their fine example left a heritage of inspiration and loyalty that instilled in Drytown Lodge members the courage and will to carry on through the lean years when gold mining declined and members moved away.

So it was that ten former members of Tyro Lodge #73, one member of St. Mark's Lodge #115 and a single member of Henry Clay Lodge #95 petitioned Grand Lodge for a dispensation to start a new Lodge. It had been decided that the proposed Lodge should be named "Drytown" since the Lodge would meet in this bustling mining town and which also was the home of the former Tyro Lodge. A dispensation dated April 12, 1865, from the then Grand Master Belcher, was received and the first meeting of Drytown Lodge was held on April 19, 1865. According to the by-laws, "The stated meeting of this Lodge shall be holden (SP) on the Wednesday of or the next preceding the full mood of each month". The Charter was dated October 13, 1865.

Although the Lodge was named Drytown, it could well have been named Hinkson Lodge. The minutes reveal that each of the Hinkson brothers, fathers and sons, numbering six in all, were devoted through the ensuing years to the welfare of Drytown Lodge. In 1879, when membership had sadly declined, five Hinksons were holding office; namely John Milton Hinkson, Milton Adams Hinkson, Andrew Henry Hinkson, Nelson Cicero Hinkson and Richard S. Hinkson.

Outstanding in his loyalty and love for Masonry was John Milton Hinkson; he was the second Worshipful Master of Drytown, following Brother John B. Hill P.M., and served in that capacity eleven times during the periods from 1868 to 1894.  He lived to become the first fifty-year member of Drytown Lodge in February, 1908, and when he died, on February 18,1917, he had been a Master Mason for Fifty-nine years. It is ever hoped that the members of Drytown Lodge will emulate the true spirit of this dedicated Masonic family.

Drytown Lodge was fortunate that its records are intact from the first meeting held in the hall of the Aurora Camp, Independent Order of Knighthood.  Early Lodge history reveals that the Lodge, at different times, occupied every hall in Drytown.

In 1866 the Lodge rented a brick hall for $12 per month. The Lodge then sub-let the hall to another organization for $5 per month. This rental arrangement eventually proved unsatisfactory; in April, 1867, it was agreed to accept: 1 atlas, 1 picture frame, 3 officer's stands, 3 candle stands, 6 candlesticks, 4 spittoons and 5 chairs in lieu of $15 of unpaid rent by the Aurora Camp, Independent Order of Knighthood.

In June 1867 the Lodge moved again, this time into the Evans Hall at the monthly rental of $8. The Lodge agreed to sublet the hall once again to the Ironclad Lodge, Independent Order of Good Templars for $6 per month.

In April of 1870, because of the gold miners moving to more profitable fields, there was a lack of officers to fill the stations and it was deemed advisable to move to the George Grimes Hall at a monthly rental of $5 per month.

The meeting place was again moved in 1871, this time back to the Evans Hall, and in July of that year plans were formulated to build their own hall. The new hall was completed in February, 1872, at a total cost of $582.50.  It was an addition, the second floor, to a local store. At last Drytown Lodge owned its own home and seemingly the moving days were over.

A catastrophe occurred five years later in February, 1879; the event was recorded in the minutes as "damage by God's destructive elements." The rebuilding cost was $400.  

In June, 1879, it was learned that St. Mark's Lodge #85 of Fiddletown wished to move its meeting place to Plymouth and since Plymouth was considered, by Drytown Lodge, to be within their jurisdiction, an official protest was made to the grand Master, citing the cost of hall repairs occasioned by "God's destructive elements" and the possible loss of some their 26 members, some of whom were then residing in Plymouth, to St. Mark's Lodge. There was no further mention of this proposed move by St. Mark's Lodge in the minutes, but in April 1881 there was a record of St. Mark's Lodge petitioning for consolidation with Drytown Lodge. The latter promptly resolved the issue.

On the night of October 16, 1884, the lodge suffered another loss. The Secretary, William Jennings, kept the Lodge funds in the safe in his store. Jennings' store, located below the Lodge Hall, and safe were robbed and the Lodge's funds amounting to $151.60 were taken. The Secretary and the Treasurer were subsequently released from any and all responsibility for the loss.

The April 1905 minutes revealed that the Lodge, then occupying the second story of the Jennings Store, entered into an agreement with Jennings to purchase the ground floor for the sum of $300. This agreement was to include the ground floor and the land as well. The deed was recorded in May, 1905. (NOTE: The Lodge Hall above Jennings’ Store is the Same Lodge Hall referred to earlier as being built by the Drytown members in 1872.) The Lodge Hall took on a modern air in August, 1906, when electric lights were substituted for the oil burning lamps.

On December 10, 1913, the Lodge resolved to move to the Odd Fellows Hall in Plymouth and remained at that location until 1926.  A raise in rent prompted the Lodge to purchase the lot and building on Main Street in Plymouth from the Methodist Episcopal Church. While the Lodge had funds to purchase the property, it was decided to ask the Grand Lodge for help converting the old church to a Masonic Hall.

Accordingly, on May 16, 1926, a note for $500 was signed by Brother Mark Landrum, W.M., and Brother John Meyers, Secretary of the Grand Lodge.

The old Drytown Hall, in Drytown, was in such a dangerous state it was decided to salvage as much brick and lumber as possible for use in the renovation of the new property. Untold hours of labor furnished by members during their free hours from their individual jobs went into the conversion of the church into the present Masonic Hall.  By July 4, 1928, all was completed even the erection of a wire fence around the property. After 63 years, Drytown Lodge has a good permanent home.

During the ensuing years Drytown Lodge has suffered financially due to the loss of membership. The mines in the Mother Lode were closed and the remaining members struggled valiantly to keep their Lodge alive. The note due Grand Lodge was still unpaid. On October 16, 1941, Grand Lodge returned the note marked "canceled" with a covering letter stating: "In appreciation of the fine spirit which emanates from your old Lodge and evidence of esteem and affection for your membership . . ."

In 1961, the members enlarged the lowered floor banquet room to accommodate a growing membership.

Thus over one hundred and fifty years have passed; years sustained by courage to face times of adversity with loyalty and brotherly love - a heritage present day members look to with pride and lasting affection.

Original Drytown Lodge Hall
Erected in Drytown, California in 1872.  Due to unsafe conditions, it was razed in 1927.Salvaged materials were used in the present Masonic Hall on Main Street in Plymouth, California.