Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks of the United States of America, La Crosse Lodge, No. 300 Records

Historical Note

Timeline of the Organization
4-6-1895 A Lodge was founded with a banquet at Cameron House, and H.E. Pierpont was hailed as the first Exalted Ruler.
6-15-1895 The Lodge leased Gund's Hall on 4th and Jay Streets.
1904 The headquarters were moved to the Linker Building on 4th and Main Streets.
1907 The headquarters were moved to the old La Crosse Theatre Building on 5th Avenue South.
5-13-1911 the Lodge planned to occupy a new building at the southeast corner of 5th and State Streets, designed by Percy C. Bentley, at a projected cost of $35,000.
1912 A lease was taken on the building at 5th and State Streets.
4-28-1921 The building at 5th and State Streets was purchased.
3-31-1930 Indebtness in the building at 5th and State Streets was paid.
1924-1925 The Elks raised $10,000 toward a Pettibone Island bathing beach and bathhouse project, would cost $28,545 in total.
1939 The Elks provided funds for constructing an outdoor swimming area at Camp Decorah, giving area Boy Scouts a 220 by 120 foot pool.
1958 A second floor Bar and Dining Room was remodeled.
1963 The outside of the building was renovated.
1966 The first floor was remodeled, to add a dining room, bar, and elevator.
1968 May 1968 the Elks founded a non-profit Wisconsin corporation to aid children with cerebral palsy as their major state project.
1970 75th Anniversary of the La Crosse B.P.O.E. 300 Elks Lodge.
The annual Seal Program in December provided one of the major sources of revenue.
The "365 club" was also expected to provide substantial income, each member was asked to contribute $3.65, "a penny a day" for crippled children.
5-2-1980 The state organization spent about $300,000 in various charitable causes, including $125,000 for crippled children programs.
5-23-1982 The Lodge had a "loan closet" at Gunderson Clinic with $3,000 to $4,000 worth of appliances for people with cerebral palsy.
"Loan closet" money was raised with dues and a $5 a year contribution from Lodge members.
12-24-91 The building at 130 5th Avenue North was sold to La Crosse businessman Kenneth P. Smith.
The building was sold because Lodge membership decreased to 360 members, though it had been 1200 at one time.
1995 100th Anniversary of Lodge founding in La Crosse.
8-28-1997 The Lodge moved its regular meetings from the Imperial Restaurant, 1815 Ward Avenue, to the Lighthouse on Nob Hill, 912 2nd Avenue North, in Onalaska.