The Glory Days of the Hudson Elks

A reader recently acquired some memorabilia from the Hudson Elks' Lodge. Among the treasures was the souvenir program from the Grand Opening of Hudson Lodge 787, when the Elks moved from 231 Warren Street to 601 Union Street. The event took place seventy-seven years ago, on November 15, 1936.

The cover of the booklet provides a wonderful image of the house when the Elks took possession of it in 1936, and found within the booklet is a fascinating history of the early days of Hudson Lodge 787.

HUDSON LODGE--787

On June 28, 1901, an unobtrusive article appeared in the Hudson Republican to the effect that "there was some talk of starting a lodge of the Order of Elks in this city." Very shortly after the appearance of this announcement application to the Grand Lodge was made for a charter. The incident was hailed with considerable attention and excitement in town and preparations were begun for a celebration, civic in character.

The day of the induction of the new lodge was a gala holiday in which the entire city participated. The Opera House, scene of the festivities, was decorated with the colors of the order, both inside and out. Warren street also was lined with festive bunting in honor of the occasion. . . . 

The Elks were popular from their founding and continued to grow in number quite lustily. For a time meetings were held in the hall over the post office, but it soon became apparent that more suitable quarters were required. The Knights of Columbus Hall was also used for a while, but efforts were made to obtain a meeting place and clubhouse that would be exclusively for Elks.

To that end a mammoth bazaar was held under the Persian title of "Mawsim," the first of a series of similar events which proved quite popular and enjoyable to the public. An attractive feature was the prize drawing, at which it is interesting to note that Grant Miller walked off with the grand prize--a $150 upright piano (or a lady's sealskin jacket). Your historian has no information as to which our worthy trustee saw fit to choose. As an added attraction for the bazaar a stage show was presented in the Opera House, starring "Pretty and Petite Agnes Ardeck" in "Mademoiselle Louise." This was the first of a group of theatrical ventures with which the Elks became identified.

In 1903, the Elks took upon themselves the management of the Opera House as a legitimate theater. The move was hailed as an advantageous one by the townsfolk and the local lodge proceeded to change the name to the Elks' Theatre, and to effect a number of alterations and improvements. As the first attraction they featured the great Robert Mantell in Tremayne's "The Dagger and the Cross." This was received as a great success, as were modifications made in the building by the new management. To quote from an editorial in the Republican, "For the first time in many years a woman could go there without ruining her gown; the old barn had actually been cleaned . . . and an attempt was made to keep order in the gallery." The theatre continued under lodge management until 1907, when the club moved into new quarters. During the time that the Elks were in charge they instituted many improvements and provided many interesting and entertaining programs. Although traveling companies were the vogue of the day local talent was also given opportunity to demonstrate histrionic ability which in many cases proved surprisingly good. In 1906, a benefit performance was given to aid those who suffered in the San Francisco earthquake. Hudson lodge participated with others throughout the country in providing a fund of $30,000 for the relief of the destitute. . . . 

In 1907, the need for new quarters became acute, and the lodge finally chose the Hudson River National Bank building as their new dwelling. The building which was the home of the local lodge until last month, was entirely remodeled and redecorated. Reception room, reading and smoking rooms, buffet and kitchen were arranged on the ground floor; card rooms, committee chambers and billiard room were directly above. The lodge, described as "the handsomest in the city and at the same time the best ventilated" occupied the top floor. Money for the construction and refurnishing was raised by means of shares of stock sold to the members at $10 and bearing suitable interest. The progress of the new clubhouse was marked by Hudson residents, and the paper described it as "the showplace of Hudson" and a building that "would make them sit up and take notice."

Now that building, after almost thirty years of continuous service has outlived its practical usefulness. Some of the furnishings and in particular the oak wainscote in the grill room, are being used in the new lodge. The old home has been the scene of many hours of pleasure and good fellowship for hundreds of our brothers and we leave it with the regret we always feel in the passing of the old familiar things. However, the new lodge is so much more spacious and offers so many more possibilities for the future that we feel sure most brothers are accepting the change as a mark of progress and advancement.

The history says the lodge at 231 Warren Street had "outlived its practical usefulness," but there seem to have been other reasons for the move. In the summer of 1935, there was a fire that caused significant damage to the Elks Lodge. The Chatham Courier reported: "Damage estimated at $20,000 was caused and one fireman was hurt in an early morning fire of unknown origin which swept two floors of the clubhouse of the Hudson Lodge No. 787, B.P.O.E, at 231 Warren street, Hudson, Sunday morning."