Eureka's Homes
The Sail Loft
In describing the events which culminated in the formation of Eureka Lodge, William S. Codman, compiler of the first Lodge History tells of the difficulties encountered in getting enough of the interested Masons together to transact the necessary business. He goes on to say that "after several ineffectual attempts, however, a meeting was finally organised at the sail loft of Brother S.H. Jackson at Tenants Harbor, May 10 (1855). At this meeting, decision was reached to petition the Grand Lodge of Maine for a dispensation to form a lodge in St. George." This sail loft, still standing overlooking the waterfront near the Tenants Harbor Town Landing, was recently entered in the National Register of Historic Places in recognition of its importance "as a part of American historic and cultural heritage." It is one of the few tangible evidences of Tenants Harbor's days as a center of shipbuilding in the second half of the 19th century.
The building, presently owned by Mrs. Betsy Jacks of New York City was constructed for Robert Long and originally housed a ship chandlery on the first floor, a sail loft on the second, and a molding loft on the third. The sail loft was operated by William A. Elwell and Samuel H. Jackson.
F .O. Martin's Store
This building which was Eureka Lodge's first home was a store owned by Frederic O. Martin, and was located on the shore of Mosquito Harbor in Martinsville, on the site where Sherwood Cook's fish house now stands.
Of the quarters there, Dr. Codman has this to say in his History of Eureka Lodge 1855-1870, "It was voted to hold meetings in a room at Mosquito Harbor, to be called 'Mason's Hall'. Though most in-conveniently situated and ill-adapted to the purpose for which it was proposed to make use of it, our brethren were compelled to 'make a virtue of necessity' and take that or none, as no other room could be procured."
Dispensation to form a lodge was granted by the Grand Master, and on August 6,1855 the first meeting was held at Mosquito Harbor. Few details of the meeting place were recorded. An early photo of Martin's store shows a two story wooden building, and presumably the Lodge quarters were located on the second floor. There was evidently some trouble securing the room as the first History notes that "A committee was appointed to rent the Hall as it was the only one in that part of the place, and citizens thought it ought not to be used exclusively for Masonic purposes."
The minutes note that some work was done to the room, and that they have "expended much in making their hall more comfortable and attractive." It was not satisfactory however, due principally to its location, as most of the members lived in or near Tenants Harbor, some 3 miles away.
The Lodge met there until 1860, when the minutes of April 12th indicate that a "committee was appointed to look into where Lodge rooms will be most convenient, taking the rent into considerations." On May 10th, it was voted to move to "rooms at Tennants(sic) at the expiration of the lease of the room now occcupied." While it is not so stated, it appears that the last meeting at Mosquito Harbor was on September 13,1860.
John M. Fuller Building
The minutes show that the new Hall in the John M. Fuller Building was dedicated on September 27, 1860. The ceremony was performed by W.E.B. Hinkley, after which "they proceeded to the sail loft adjacent to the Lodge (below), where supper was prepared by the ladies for the occasion."
Some difficulty was encountered in identifying the John M. Fuller Building. A lease between the Lodge and Mr. Fuller is in the Lodge's archives, which indicates that the third floor of the building "is to be known as Eureka Hall", and leased to the Lodge at $6.25 per quarter.
The Lodge minutes dated February 1,1861 record that following public installation of officers, "proceeded to the sail loft below" for collation.
In his booklet "Coaster Days", Roy Meservey, a long time resident of Tenants Harbor states that "two buildings remain standing which contained sail lofts. . .the other is the present East Wind Inn."A photograph in the booklet shows "the present East Wind Inn before it had dormers and porches."
The Knox County Registry of Deeds confirms that John M. Fuller bought land on the shore of Tenants Harbor in 1858, and that in 1862, buildings were located on it. John M. Fulller was a shipbuilder, among other things, and "Coaster Days" states that " John M. Fuller built the "WARREN BLAKE" on what is now the hotel (East Wind) property."
The forgoing seems to confirm that the present East Wind Inn was the former John M. Fuller Building, and the home of Eureka Lodge for some 33 years.
The Lodge had expanded greatly during this period, so we find the minutes of January 26, 1893 reporting "Voted to look for another Hall."
Masonic Hall
A committee consisting of Henry Giles, Fred Sheerer and John S. Smalley was appointed to consider the matter and make recommendations to the Lodge. The minutes of March 30, 1893 indicate that agreement was reached that a Masonic Hall should be built and that Mrs. Fernald's lot was a suitable site. Mrs. Fernald was unwilling to sell however, and in May it was decided to purchase the lot of Captain Joseph Watts.
At the meeting of June 29, 1893, the die was cast. A Building Committee consisting of S.A. Wheeler, James M. Smith, George E. Allen, Henry Giles and Joseph Studley was appointed and instructed to build a hall on the Watts lot and "that they be empowered to locate the building on that part of the lot that in their judgement will be the best for all concerned, and the size and style of the building." It was also voted to assess each member $4.00 per year until the building was paid for.
The Registry of Deeds of Knox County indicates that the Trustees of the Charity Fund of Eureka Lodge purchased the lot from Captain Joseph Watts for $200.00 and the closing took place on July 23,1893.
Things must have moved very rapidly from there on in, as the minutes of January 18,1894 indicate that the Lodge was already meeting in the new Hall. Dedication was set for February 15th, but nature decreed otherwise. A descriptive and somewhat humorous account of what happened is found in the Grand Master's report in the 1894 Grand Lodge Proceedings. It says in part:
"A special communication had been ordered for the purpose of dedicating the new halls of Eureka Lodge at Tenants Harbor, and Amity Lodge at Camdem, February 15th and 16th respectively." The Grand Master and his party reached Thomaston, "but were forced to stay there for two days awaiting the opening of roads whose travel was impeded by the fiercest blizzard of an unusually severe Winter." (Temperature was -20 during this cold snap)
"Twice we essayed to reach our destination but in vain. Now over the King's Highway, now into fields or pastures, over stone walls or wire fences, on high hill and in deepvale, alternatively...Thrice the Grand Master and twice were his suite unceremoneously thrown from their vehicles into snow beds, all conducive to good circulation but impotent in conclusion."
The Grand Master and his party reached Camden and dedicated the hall there on February 17th. By then the roads to Tenants Harbor were cleared enough for them to get through, and Eureka's Hall was dedicated on February 19th, having been postponed first to the 17th, and then for another two days.
The Courier Gazette of March 6, 1894 contained a description of the affair, and some interesting particulars of the Hall. The article is reproduced below.
"Eureka Lodge F&AM No. 84 (sic) of Tenants Harbor dedicated its new hall Monday evening, the 19th ult. The date fixed for the ceremony was Thursday previous, and elaborate arrangements had been made for the occasion, but on account of the big snow storm, they were broken up. Had the ceremonies taken place that evening, doubtless there would have been a large delegation from out of town. However the same preparations were repeated on Friday, but the snow drifts were impassable, and the grand officers were unable to get there. However word was received Saturday that they would make a mighty effort to get through on Monday and perform the ceremony. Despite the inclemency of the weather, a goodly number of visitors came on Monday, and were entertained royally considering the short time had for preparations. The exercises at the hall commenced at 7:30 o'clock.
The ceremonies were conducted by Worshipful Grand Master Horace H. Burbank of Saco, assisted by other representatives of the Grand Lodge as follows: Senior Grand Warden, Joshua P. Spaulding, South Thomaston; Junior Grand Warden, A.M. Wetherbee, Warren; Grand Marshal, Henry R. Millett of Gorham; Grand Chaplain, Rev. W.A. Newcomb of Thomaston; Grand Treasurer, C.G. Crocker, Tenants Harbor; Grand Secretary, E.P. Gamage of South Bristol; Senior Grand Deacon, Whitney Long of Tenants Harbor; Junior Grand Deacon, Mr. Babbidge of South Thomaston; Grand Steward, John French of Thomaston; Grand Architect, H.F. Kalloch of Tenants Harbor; Grand Sword Bearer, Nathan Bachelder of Tenants Harbor; Grand Tyler, W.C.G. Carney of Portland.
After the hall had been solemnly dedicated to Masonry, the following responded to calls for speeches; Grand Master Horace H. Burbank, A.M. Wetherbee of Warren, Rev. Sewall Browne of Tenants Harbor, Rev. A.R. McDougall of St. George and others. A fine recitiation was given by Miss Smalley, a Massachusetts lady, who responded to an encore. Mrs. W.H. Mathews presided at the organ, and the Baptist choir with W.H. Mathews, choirister led the singing. At the close of the remarks, supper was served to the visitors and guests in the banquet hall.
It was a very nice spread considering the length of time to prepare it. Eureka Lodge of Masons may well be proud of its hall. It stands on the north side of the village and occupies one of the best building lots in the harbor. The building was built under contract by Henry F. Kalloch and with furnishings, cost $3500.00. It is 60 by 35 feet and two stories high, surmounted by a pretty cupola. The Lodge room is on the second floor, 48 by 35 feet, with two fine ante-rooms, which are furnished in fine style with plate glass mirrors, lavatory with set bowl, shoe blacking device made by S.A. Wheeler, and a pretty closet with drawers for the lodge regalia, finished in cypress wood. On the first floor is the banquet hall, same size as the lodge room, with two large rooms on each side of the entrance. One is used for a kitchen, being furnished with a nice range and a big lot of crockery and cutlery, also commodious closets and sinks. The lodge has pretty furniture purchased four years ago. There has also been added a new organ, altar, chandeliers, new chairs, lamps, etc. The floor of the lodge room is covered with a handsome carpet. The new club recently organized, occupies one of the lower rooms."
Since it was built, several improvements have been carried out. A fire escape was added and in 1902, a bid of $825.00 was accepted for construction of the tower on the front corner of the building.
In 1914, the "Blaugas" system of lighting was installed at a cost of $283.00 for 30 lights. Apparantly it was not too satisfactory as it was discontinued in 1917. Electric lights were installed in 1921, and a bill from Central Maine Power Company for $200.00 for installation of wiring and lights, was approved for payment.
The cement steps and platform on the front of the building were constructed in 1921. The most recent renovations were panelling and painting of the Lodge and dining rooms, and improvements to the kitchen, carried out in 1978. The work was done entirely by the members of the Lodge, at a cost of nearly $1000.00. Vinyl siding was applied to the building exterior in 1980.
Since the Hall was built, there have been many notes in the minutes regarding heating, stoves, decoration and refurbishing. Repairs to the roof and interior have been made many times, and maintenance of the Hall has severely taxed the finances of the Lodge on several occasions. In the late 1960's and early 1970's, these reached crisis proportions. The "Second Saturday" public fish chowder suppers have provided welcome relief in recent years however, and have brought in sufficient funds to keep the Hall in reasonably good repair.
Until very recently, the need for a well and water system piped into the building was brought up for discussion frequently. With the recent sharp increase in fuel oil cost and the probable unavailability of it in the future, it was most fortunate the time never quite right or funds available for having the work done. Had it been accomplished and heat required to keep the water system from freezing all winter, the cost would have been prohibitive.
Who would have thought the "two holer" would turn out to be an advantage over the modern "flush?"
Eureka's present home is now approaching 88 years of age. It has served the Lodge well, and hopefully it will continue to do so for many years to come.
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