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A Brief Chronology of Freemasonry in Waukegan, Illinois.

Prepared for the 175th Anniversary of Waukegan Lodge No. 78

Delivered at the Rededication on 9/28/2024

By R.H. Johnson

with notes from Jack Stewart

Cornerstone Laying and Rededication - 

In the past, and until well after World War I, it was traditional, that Masonic Lodges were asked to conduct cornerstone laying ceremonies at the most public and other significant buildings. Waukegan has had a history of these Cornerstone ceremonies. There are photos of a Masonic cornerstone ceremony at the first courthouse in Waukegan, built on the site of the present courthouse on County Street in 1844. In pencil on the back of one of these photos are the names of the Masonic bodies in Waukegan that took part in the ceremony. Curiously, there were no Masonic organizations in Waukegan at that time. It is assumed that some nearby Lodges or possibly the Grand Lodge of Illinois conducted the ceremony but we do not know who they were. The photos can be seen at the Waukegan Historical Society, and at the Waukegan Masonic Temple. No doubt there are others in attics and desk drawers around the city.

Masonic bodies of Waukegan did take part in the cornerstone ceremony for the new courthouse on April 18, 1878. Lodges from Kenosha and Evanston were also invited. There are photos and a copy of the program for the day at both the Masonic Temple and the Waukegan Historical Society.

In the beginning…

Union Lodge, No. 78

As a result of a notice in the Lake County Chronicle, 15 Master Masons met at the store of William B. Dodge on September 20, 1848, for the purposes of forming a Lodge in Little Fort. Present were Salmond Stebbins, an Itinerant preacher who founded several churches in the Zion, Illinois area, Rubin D. Dodge, referred to as General Dodge, and others. 

The next time they met, they went to the Oddfellows Hall on the third floor of the southwest corner of the Washington and Genesee Streets. Stebbins and Dodge later went to Lafayette Lodge in Chicago to make the necessary arrangements. They received a letter of dispensation dated October 16, 1848.

The first Lodge meeting was held in the Oddfellows Hall on October 25, 1848. Salmon Stebbins was appointed Worshipful Master of the Lodge. For the next six months meetings were held at the Hall of the Sons of Temperance, location unknown. Then in April 1849, meetings were held at Union Hall on the Northside of Madison Street between Genesee and State, now Sheridan Road.

By October 13, 1849, a charter had been issued, dated October 4, and officers were formally installed. Salmon Stebbins was elected Worshipful Master. Many of the prominent men of Little Fort, later Waukegan, were members of the Lodge. Notable among them was Elijah Haynes, who was our first school teacher in Little Fort, he was part of the Illinois General Assembly, the founder of Haynesville, and Brother of John Haynes, the Chicago mayor who later lived in the old farmhouse in what is now Bowen Park, and the home of the Waukegan Historical Society which will later this year be relocated to the iconic Andrew Carnegie library.

In June 1856, the Lodge moved to "Dickinson Old Hall” on Washington Street, East of Genesee St., but it is not clear for how long, then again, back to the Oddfellows Hall, and in May 1859, back to Union Hall— Minutes are not very clear about the dates.

Another Lodge Hall

In August 1859, another Lodge was formed, Waukegan Lodge 324. The first master was John C. Baker. They first met at the Union Hall but moved to “Steals Hole” on the southeast corner of Washington and Genesee Street on January 22, 1861. They would ultimately rejoin Union In February of 1864, the two Lodges merged to become Waukegan Lodge No. 78 which still meets as such today. The first meeting was on February 22. Henry C Hutchinson was elected the first master of the newly consolidated Lodge. More on this later.

A New Masonic, Temple, Washington, and State Streets

On January 4, 1881, the Worshipful Master of Waukegan Lodge 78, William H., appointed a committee to meet with a similar committee appointed by the high priest of the Royal Arch Chapter in Waukegan. They also met with Isaac R Lion of the Commandery in regard to building a new temple. On August 20, 1883, the committee reported that they had purchased a 64 x 46 lot on the northwest corner of Washington and State Street, now Sheridan Road, for $1000 ($32,000.00 in 2024). The Lodge as well as their Royal Arch Chapter and the Commandery shared the cost.

On June 25, 1886, the contract was given to George Greene for a three-story Masonic Temple for $8430.50 ($269,000.00 in 2024). The temple was dedicated on January 20, 1887, by officers of the Grand Lodge of Illinois, the building committee held their final meeting in the Temple on October 10, 1887, the final total cost was $10,586.06 ($337,000 in 2024), including the cost of the lot. Temple Board of Directors was formed in 1904. An 1887 newspaper article notes that the first Lodge meeting was held there on January 11, 1887, but it does not show in the minutes.

When the Lodge had been dedicated, a brief write-up appeared in an unidentified Waukegan newspaper in January 1887. In it, it describes the Lodge rooms, some brief history, and the festivities that took place. Notable were the many Lodges and organizations that all came together to make this particular building possible.

A quote from that Newspaper - 

“The Masonic Lodges which have built, and are now occupying that edifice were the oldest secret societies in town. Among the membership are dozens of our oldest, and most honored citizens.” It goes on to list notable members in the town of Waukegan and surrounding areas, as well as blueprints and the layout of the building and rooms. Pictures of this lodge space are in the dining room, and when you see them, you will be amazed at the decadence. 

This lodge suffered the same problems that the Masonic Building in Chicago Il did. It was a chore to go to the lodge, managing three flights of stairs, as well as retail space below. The location was later demolished, and a large Highrise was built in its place many years later.  

Anchor and Ark Lodge No. 1027 = A Brief Snapshot

During World War I, Waukegan Lodge 78 became so active that another Lodge was formed on January 20th, 1918, with 53 members. This number would explode as time went by. George Albrecht was the first Worshipful Master of the Lodge. Anchor and Ark No. 1027 received their charter on October 20th, 1919 now having 118 members at the time of its history. So popular was Freemasonry that in just one year, the lodge doubled its membership. They first met at 105 Madison St. On May 21, 1921, the Lodge moved to a third-floor Lodge room at 221 Washington St. By June 1925 the new Lodge had grown to 400 members! In 1936 Anchor and Ark Lodge moved to the temple occupied by the other Masonic bodies at 220 N. Sheridan Rd., and became a partner in the Waukegan Masonic Temple Association. In 1982, the Lodge moved with the others to the new temple at 127 North Genesee St. where they reside today.

The 220 Sheridan Rd. Lodge

As you just read about Anchor and Ark No. 1027 moving to the 220 Sheridan Rd. Address, it now becomes our duty to report this magnificent building. 

What is now Waukegan Lodge No. 78, has met many places. No doubt in this brief history, you’ve already taken note of the various places. In the beginning, we met at the Union Hall and other fraternal and benevolent societies. The Masons of Waukegan longed for a permanent home, and that first erected building was hopefully going to be it—in the end, logistics and practicality caused the Freemasons of this city to sell it off and eventually begin to meet once again, at various locations. 

That is until the members decided it was time to build a better, purpose-built building at 220 Sheridan Rd. Address. Onlookers today can still see this time capsule of architecture. A number of blueprints, photographs, and more are available on this building. The members, for the lack of a better term, taxed themselves as members to come up with the large sums of money needed to erect what would become one of the standard purpose-built Masonic Lodge Halls of the early 20th century. It was a glorious edifice, and we’re lucky today to still have WB Hardy Evans, who was the last WM of the 220 Sheridan Rd Lodge and the first at the 127 Genesee St to tell us about it. 

A number of significant events have appeared within the minutes of Waukegan Lodge No. 78. A chronological compilation of noteworthy entries is as follows:

• The first meeting as Union Lodge under dispensation was held October 25, 1848, at the Oddfellows Hall. The first petition receipt for the degrees was for Josiah Moulton

• The next meeting was held at the Hall of the Sons of Temperance on January 10, 1849. The treasurer was ordered to pay each member the amount advanced to get dispensation.

• April 4, 1849, it was resolved that the sum of $40 to be paid to Brother William Nichols for one year rent in advance of the hall as per the agreement.

• September 29, 1849, was the last meeting of Union Lodge UD. This meeting was held in the town of Little Fort, and then on October 4, 1849, it was officially constituted as Union Lodge No. 78.

• October 13, 1849, the first meeting of Union Lodge 78, and it was held in Waukegan. The Lodge was constituted by William Ladd.

• October 31, 1849, was the first annual meeting.

• December 26, 1849, a resolution was passed to recommend to the Grand Lodge for the forming of a new Lodge at Hainesville to be called Rising Sun Lodge, and recommending Brother Daniel Martin, for the Worshipful Master, Ian Haynes for Senior Warden and Abner Fox for Junior Warden - this Lodge did not form until 1850.

• At this meeting, several members were fine for non-attendance at the previous meeting.

• February 27, 1850, a resolution changing the meetings from Wednesdays to Mondays was approved on March 27, 1850. To this day, Waukegan Lodge still meets on Mondays.

• On October 20, 1851, the Lodge held its first public installation of officers.

• September 13, 1852, an assessment of one dollar ($32 in 2024) per member for the purpose of enabling a secretary and treasurer to pay off debt due to the Lodge was passed.

• October 1, 1858, a charter granted to Waukegan Chapter No. 41 Royal Arch Masons is granted. This chapter still exists and continues to grow.

• October 11, 1859, Waukegan Lodge No. 324 is constituted and consecrated by Brother DL Smith Deputy Grand Master.

• November 8, 1859, the appropriation of $6.25 ($200 in 2024) to Union Lodge No. 78 for rent of Lodge room, furniture, and fixtures from October 1, 1859, to January 1, 1860, a period of three months.

• January 11, 1860, to the Lodge granted the sum of $10 ($317 in 2024) for services as Secretary for Brother O.S. Lincoln.

• August 10, 1861, the treasurer empowered to dispose of the Illinois currency was allowed at the meeting on October 12, 1861.

• October 20, 1862, a resolution was presented for consolidation of Waukegan Lodge No. 324 and Union Lodge No. 78 under the time-honored name and No. of Union Lodge No. 78, because some of the active members of both Lodges are, and will be absent in consequence of the existing war, and for other causes, leaving only a sufficient No. of working masons to ensure the prosperity of one Lodge.

• December 1862, Union Lodge refused to adopt the resolution for the consolidation of the two Lodges.

• April 23, 1863, decided to allow the use of the Lodge Hall to the family of the Eastern Star for $.50 ($16 in 2024) per night.

• January 17, 1864, Union Lodge No. 78 passed a resolution for the consolidation of the two Lodges into one Lodge under the name Waukegan Lodge No. 78.

• January 28, 1864, Waukegan Lodge No. 324 passed the same resolution.

• February 2, 1864, the convention of Union Lodge, No. 78 and Waukegan Lodge No. 324 for the purpose of recommending master and wardens for the new charter and Lodge to be designated as Waukegan Lodge No. 78.

• June 20, 1864, the Committee on Music being powered to purchase a melodeon before the first meeting in July. The price not to exceed $100 ($3,200 in 2024.)

• April 17, 1865, moved the “Thanks of the Lodge” to be tendered to Brother Dewey Brewster and Hatley for the appropriate draping of this hall in the morning for the death of our chief magistrate, President Lincoln.

• January 15, 1866, authorized $50 ($1,600 in 2024) be donated for the erection of a suitable monument to the memory of soldiers dead of Lake County, IL.

• May 7, 1866, a communication from several Master Masons of the town of Libertyville, asking permission and the recommendation of this Lodge to form a Masonic Lodge in that village was read and on motion, the request was unanimously granted.

• December 1, 1899, the Secretary report shows a total membership of 198 members.

• January 15, 1906, the last will and testament of Emily Madison was duly admitted to the probate in the probate court of Lake County Illinois the 21st clause of her will reading as follows "Carrying out the verbal request made to me by my sister to respect the Afton expressed wish of her husband dire Jay Hubbard and his memory of and as tribute of respect to my sister and her husband and an owner of the Masonic fraternity which was held in high esteem by Syd Dyer G Hubbard, I give an Big Quis to Waukegan Lodge 78 Ancient Free Accepted Masons of Waukegan Illinois the sum of $4000 ($127,000 in 2024) to have and to hold to it and it successors upon the express condition, however that it shall be incumbent upon said Waukegan Lodge 78 Ancient and Accepted Masons and its Successors to expand from the income there of annually, is sufficient some to keep in good order and repair the cemetery lots of Nelson Colburn and Mary Colburn his wife Dyer J. Hubbard and Jane Elizabeth Hubbard his wife and Jorge Hubbard their son and Sarah E and myself and all monuments and memorials stones there on all of said lots being adjacent in Oakwood cemetery in Waukegan Illinois. Set condition to be perpetual, requiring the care of said cemetery. Lots of monuments and memorials stone shall be used annually for charitable or usages of the Masonic fraternity. The city fund of $4000 is to be held and kept as the Dyer J Hubbard Benevolent Fund. The funds created have been maintained in the terms there faithfully, and fully performed to the present day.

• May 7, 1906, voted aid for the San Francisco earthquake.

The Latest Temple

The temple at 220 Sheridan Rd. had served well until Masonic activity began to decline after the1960s. There were bursts of halfhearted attempts to sell the building and build a smaller temple for several years. Finally, on October 7, 1981, two store buildings at 125 and 127 North Genesee St. were purchased for $65,000 ($225,000 in 2024). A floor plan was agreed upon and contracts for that summer of 1982. A large part of the work was donated by members.

The old temple was sold in March 1982 to Bill and Jack O'Shea of Elk Grove Village for $30,000 ($98,000 in 2024) and was then owned by Ron and Kathy Rice of Northbrook. The Masonic bodies were allowed to stay and maintain the building until the new temple could be occupied. Though not completed, the first meeting in the new temple was held November 15, 1982.

The building at 220 N. Sheridan Rd. was created as a historic landmark on December 17, 2001, which was signed by then city clerk, and future, Waukegan, mayor, and Brother, Wayne Motley.

Over the years other Lodges have come into existence and been reabsorbed. One such example is North East 1095, which was chartered in October of 1923 and returned home to Waukegan 78 in November of 1996. 

Today, Waukegan boasts 173 members.

Its membership has begun to reflect the diverse and rich heritage of its community. 

Waukegan 78, is the mother of Rising Sun 115, Libertyville 492, Northeast 1095, Anchor and Ark 1027, Waukegan 324, and has influenced countless other Lodges around the world—having men who were initiated at their altar, and taking their leadership to the four corners of the earth, spreading the cement of Brotherly Love and the Light of Freemasonry.