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AMITY LODGE #4 F.&.A.M.
SILVER CITY NEVADA
THE SECOND OLDEST MASONIC LODGE IN NEVADA
Celebrating 149 years of Masonic Service 1863 - 2012
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Lodge History
Dispensation Granted March 20th 1863 by the Grand Lodge of California
Chartered on May 12th 1863 as Silver City Lodge #163 under the Grand Lodge of California
Chartered on January 17th 1865 as Amity Lodge #4 under the newly formed Grand Lodge of Nevada1860
Although the first unit of Masonry in the Territory of Nevada was not established in Virginia City, it is historically true that the first Masonic gathering in the state was held in that thriving camp in June, 1860 and was called to observe Masonic funeral rites over the body of Capt. Edw. F. Storey, killed in an engagement with hostile Indians, near Pyramid Lake on June 2nd 1860. This information is corroborated in a letter received from Brother W. A. VanBokkelen, who served as M. W. Grand Master of Nevada Masons in the year of 1872, and who was thoroughly familiar with Masonic developments in the state. Just why the meeting in Virginia City referred to by Past Grand Master VanBokkelen did not culminate in the establishing of a lodge in Virginia City, Masonic records fail to disclose, for it is known to have been presided over by M. W. Wm. H. Howard, a Past Grand Master from California, who afterward became the first sheriff of Storey County, Nevada. This brother is said to have been an unusually zealous Mason, having performed active Masonic service in various sections of the United States. That he was held in high esteem by the brothers of Virginia City is evidenced by the fact that he was the leading spirit in the formation of the first Masonic lodge in Virginia City on January 15, 1863, which was at first named in his honor but afterwards was changed to Virginia Lodge #3.
The information above for this year is from the "History of Masonry in Nevada" by C. W. Torrence. Published by the Grand Lodge, F&AM of Nevada
1863
Urged to intensive action by the accomplishments of the brethren at Virginia City which is about 3 miles up the hill and across the V&T Railway tracks, sojourning Masons living in Silver City, under guidance of Bro. J. M. Currie, expressed their desire to organize a lodge, by framing a petition to the Grand Lodge of California in the early months of 1863, asking authority to organize under dispensation, permission having previously been asked from Carson Lodge No. One, to organize in territory controlled by the latter lodge. Carson Lodge assented, and on March 20th 1863, authority was granted the brethren by the Grand Lodge of California to establish Silver City Lodge #163 under dispensation, naming J. M. Currie, W. M.; T. M. Henry, S.W., and W. B. Hickok, J. W. With the institution of the lodge, and the installing of its officers, the lodge entered upon an intensive year of service, and added a fine membership to its original roll.
The information above for this year is from the "History of Masonry in Nevada" by C. W. Torrence. Published by the Grand Lodge, F&AM of Nevada
1865
With the organization of the Grand Lodge of Nevada, Silver City Lodge #163 became chartered as Amity Lodge No. 4 upon Nevada Roster on January 17th 1865, with the following officers in charge: Richard T. Mullard, W. M.; James M. Kennedy, S. W., and W. J. Burke, J. W.
The information above for this year is from the "History of Masonry in Nevada" by C. W. Torrence. Published by the Grand Lodge, F&AM of Nevada
1868
Brother Mullard was the last Master under the California jurisdiction. In 1868, he became The Deputy Grand Master of the Nevada Grand Lodge.
The information above for this year is from the "History of Masonry in Nevada" by C. W. Torrence. Published by the Grand Lodge, F&AM of Nevada
186?
Amity Lodge moved across the street from 170 Main Street into 175 Main Street, the current building which was constructed in 1863. The exact date and additional information will be posted soon.
1926
On June 6th 1926, Valley Lodge #9 in Dayton consolidated with Amity Lodge #4. It was the first new Nevada Lodge Chartered on October 12th 1865 under the Newly formed Grand Lodge of Nevada. Prior to the Valley Lodge #9 Charter, the first 8 Nevada Lodges were Chartered under the Grand Lodge of California, then re-Chartered under the Grand Lodge of Nevada.
The information above for this year is from the "History of Masonry in Nevada" by C. W. Torrence. Published by the Grand Lodge, F&AM of Nevada
1927 - 2008
We are researching the previous 146 years of our Lodge paperwork. Additional Amity Lodge #4 historical information will be posted. Please check back. - webmaster
2009
On September 3rd 2009, the Brethren approved a motion for Amity 4 to have its own website. Technologically speaking, this was a quantum leap for our Lodge, comparable to the first electric lights being installed in our building early in the last century. For many years some of us had talked about doing this. But it was Brother J D Weiss, PM who led the way in this enterprise; he having built many websites, including the first Masonic Lodge website in Ohio. It was only natural with this background, that J D was appointed our first webmaster. Within a day, Brother Weiss designed and had the new site on-line. And this was only the beginning as it is being constantly improved.
On September 30th 2009, The Lodge took possession of their new fireproof storage vault.
Website hosted by Weicor, LLC.
Created and maintained by Webmaster JD Weiss, PM.Copyright © 2009 - 2012
Amity Lodge #4 F.&.A.M.
Silver City NevadaSome items on this web site are copyright by others
and displayed with their permission.This web site was established during our Stated meeting on Thursday, September 3rd 2009 and fully active less then 24 hours later on Friday, September 4th 2009.
| Home | Contact Us | Officers | Past Masters | Lodge Photo's | Calendar | | Directions | History |
| Become a Mason/Join Amity Lodge | Yabut | R.U.A.M.M. | About Freemasonry | What Masonry Is & Is Not | SPAM info |