Elliot Lake Lodge No. 698 History
There were thirty Masons hailing from twenty-two different Lodges. W.Bro. K.H. Stubbs was elected Chairman of the organizing committee by the members present.
On May 4th, 1958 a meeting was held at the residence of W.Bro. Stubbs with the D.D.G.M. of Nipissing West District. The purpose of the meeting was to make acquaintance with the DDGM, and inform him of the intention of forming a lodge in Elliot Lake. On May 29th, 1958, a letter from the Grand Secretary arrived with the Petition enclosed to form a Lodge.
The first Petitions received were from Mr. Stanley John Hunter and Mr. Garfield Ernest Kyer. We are now beginning to operate as a Lodge even though we were using the Penewobikong Lodge in Blind River as our Lodge.
On June 3rd, 1960 a cheque was forwarded to Peterson & Peterson for the purchase of the Alcan Theatre in the amount of $7,718.81 which was to include the cost of the land and building. On June 7th, 1960 plans for the renovation of the building to use as a Masonic Lodge were sent to Grand Lodge for the perusal of the Building Advisory Committee of Grand Lodge. On July 11th, 1960 the final papers were signed by the Trustees and the building and land were ours, and on July 14th, 1960 the Improvement District of Elliot Lake forwarded the plans of the building which confirmed the purchase of the Land and Building as a Masonic Lodge. This was the first commercial building in Elliot Lake. On September 7th, 1960 a letter from the Grand Master informing Elliot Lake Lodge No. 698 that they had his permission to hold their first Regular Meeting on the night of September 14,1960 pending dedication. The current Lodge has had many changes; first of all it was the oldest commercial building in the City of Elliot Lake. Historically speaking this is a treasurer. What went on in this building that was of such importance, it was the Community Hall, a cafeteria, a barber shop, a pool room, the theatre, a school room and various churches held their services in this building.