From a small nucleus of two Masons in 1920, the Atikokan Lodge No. 668 has grown to its present membership of over one hundred. The growth of Masonry in Atikokan during the past Fifty years has been tempered by minor setbacks and discouragement’s, such as the lack of building facilities and the Second World War. However, these trials have given a unique pioneer flavour to the history of this Lodge; a quality which lends an added cohesiveness and spirit to Masonry in Atikokan. This brief account proposes to trace Masonic History in Atikokan from Its beginnings in the early twenties to the final formation of the Lodge in 1951. Masonry was introduced to Atikokan through the auspices of' Employees of the Canadian National Railways. In 1920, Station Agent S. Paulson and Locomotive Forman E. Moore were the only two Masons in the community. However, during that summer a few of their fellow employees took an interest in the Brotherhood and applied for membership in the Granite Lodge No. 446 in Fort Frances. Accordingly, the original two were joined by Albert Gallimore, W. R. McCutcheon, Thomas Berry, Clayton W. Goodwin, W. H. Davies and W. A. Rooney. As there were no members of the Granite Lodge in Atikokan at this time, the investigation of the above applicants was delayed for approximately six months. When the necessary investigations were completed by the Granite Lodge, the group was initiated on February 15th, 1921 and passed on March 22, 1921. Bros. Gallimore, Goodwin and Davies were raised on April 19, 1921 and Bros. McCutcheon, Berry and Rooney on, April 26. 1921. During the period between each of these degrees, the only available places that offered the necessary privacy for instruction was the top story of the CNR sand house. This area was reached by a vertical ladder, which was climbed every evening by the candidates to receive instruction from Bros. Paulson and Moore assisted by any Brother who happened to be in town at the time. Bro. D. S. McCuaig was frequently in attendance at these sessions. One man was posted as Tyler at the top of the ladder from where he commanded a clear view of the entrance of the sand house. This building continued in use until 1923, by which time the membership had increased to about fifteen. Because of this latter fact and the inconvenience of attending the Lodge in Fort Frances, It was decided to form a club at which instruction and practice in the degrees could be given. Accordingly, application was made to the Granite Lodge for permission to hold practice meetings in the school building. The situation and request of the Brethren in Atikokan was well presented to the Grand Lodge by members of the Granite Lodge and in due time the necessary permission was granted. Subsequently, a meeting was held in the Locomotive Forman’s Office and the slate of officers drawn from a hat. Bro. Jack Shields became the first Master. It was to hold club meetings each week with the Officers stepping up each month. However, this rapid rotation of office proved impractical, as the Brothers were unable to learn the required amount of work in such a short period of time. Accordingly the term of office was lengthened to one year. The first club meeting was held in the school building on March 22, 1923. These weekly meetings were later reduced to bi-monthly, with July and August scheduled for vacations, as many of the members spent their summers camping on Steep Rock Lake. At first, the work consisted of opening and closing in degrees; later, degree work was started at which a Brother was chosen to act as candidate. In addition a question and answer period was instituted, at which time the Acting Master would question the members or ask them a part of' the obligation. This question and answer period proved invaluable for coaching candidates for initiation into the Granite Lodge, as he was obliged to participate besides assuming floor work at each meeting. Visiting Brothers dropped into the meetings quite regularly and if they could not be vouched for were given a board of trial. Moreover, Officers and members of the Granite Lodge came down occasionally, at which time they would often put on degree work with a candidate chosen from the Brethren present; this extra instruction proved very helpful. In addition to being a means of instruction and practice in Masonry, the Atikokan club provided a center of social activity for the Brethren and their friends and families. After the club work was completed, members would often bowl a few frames on the school floor. The balls and pins had been turned up on the lathe over at the CNR shops by Bro. Gallimore. (At the same time, Bro. Gallimore made the three gavels that are presently used by the Worshipful Master and his Wardens. The tracing boards, which are still in use, were also purchased by the club at this time.) Ladies Night was held once a month, at which time wives, mothers, sisters, daughters and lady friends were entertained by the club with cards, bowling and dancing. The annual dance and banquet was the highlight of the social activities of the club and was attended by almost the entire population of' the community, then numbering about two hundred. During the summer a picnic was held at Cedar Springs on Steep Rock Lake, where all the picnickers enjoyed the clean sand beach and the fresh cold spring water found at the south end of the beach. On June 15th, 1939, Atikokan witnessed its first Masonic funeral. The ceremony was attended by eighteen Brothers headed by the Rt. W. Bro. J. W. Walker P.D.D.G.M. of the Granite Lodge, who responded to the request for a skilled Brother to officiate. Bro. Walker opened the Lodge in the First Degree at the school and then called off for the purpose of attending the funeral of the late Bro. G. R. Harmling. The Masons paraded to the cemetery where they conducted the graveside ceremony. With the completion of these rites, the group returned to the schoolhouse where Bro. Walker closed the Lodge in the usual manner. Mr. M. S. Fotheringham, President and General Manager of Steep Rock Iron Mines, kindly loaned the only available transportation in Atikokan at the time, a half ton International truck, for the occasion. With the outbreak of World War II, a number of the Brethren from Atikokan and the Granite Lodge joined the armed forces. The resultant depletion of members for-doomed the continuance of the pleasant get-togethers; the club was finally closed down when the remaining members, now pre-occupied with the war effort, could not afford the time to attend the meetings. The opening of Steep Rock Iron Mines attracted many workers who were also Masons and the club was re-opened for a short period in 1944. However, the manpower shortage again prevented the members from attending and the club again discontinued to meet. By 1949, the population of Atikokan had risen to nearly 4,000; more Masons entered the community by virtue of their employment at the Mine and a consequent interest in Masonry revived. The reorganization and re-opening of the club promoted a strong desire to form a Lodge and during the winter of 1949-50, steps were taken in that direction. The first meeting was held at the home at Bro. Art Cromack with Bros. Jack Boone, John Miller, Bill Davies, Maurice Waranuk, Gordon, Edwards, Ed Jackson and Bill Rooney in attendance. After several such meetings at various homes, the group, which had now reached about twenty members, moved to the school. The first recorded meeting was held on April 2, 1949. It was decided that Bro. Jack Boone should contact Rt. W. Bro. George Gruchy D.D.G.M, in order to, set a date for a meeting to discuss the formation of a lodge. In addition, it was decided, to levy a fee of 50 cents per person for purposes of defraying the current expenses. At the next meeting held on June 3. 1949, no mention was recorded of a meeting with Bro. Gruchy, although he had been contacted each time he came off the road. (Bro. Gruchy was an engineer on the, CNR). Considerable discussion took place at the meeting of June 28, 1950, regarding the formation of the new lodge and the possibility of obtaining a suitable building for future meetings. At the same meeting Bros. Bill Leishman and Jack Fraser moved that the club dues be raised to $5.00 until such a time as the Lodge should see fit to alter the fee. By 1950, club membership had risen to about thirty. In that year, Bro. Tom Heale took charge of the group and under the initiative of his leadership, the drive towards the formation of a lodge gained new force. The first definite progress regarding the lodge took place on September 12th, 1950, when several Brothers traveled to Fort Frances to attend the Grand Master’s banquet. They took the opportunity to interview the Grand Master and the Grand Secretary, on the question of the Lodge. The Grand Secretary Rt. W. Bro. Dixon explained the procedure to follow in forwarding a petition. Subsequently, a petition praying, for dispensation was submitted to the Grand Master. The problem that now confronted the Brothers was that of obtaining a suitable building and site for the prospective Lodge. At the meeting of October 3rd,, 1950, it was decided that the club should proceed with the building project. Accordingly Bro. Gordon Edwards was chosen to prepare plans for a building measuring 22 feet by 40 feet with a 10 foot ceiling. At the same time, Bro. J. S. Boone gave the club an option on lot. #120, situated at the corner of Niven and Clark Streets for the price of five hundred dollars. A contract was given to the Gingras Brothers for building the lodge. They agreed to erect the frame, sheath the outside with Insulite, cover the roof with shiplap and rolled roofing and to frame the partition, for the sum of $625.00. The fee included only the labour required for the project plus the nails that would be used in the building process. Bro. Eric Pearson very generously supplied the bulk of the lumber at cost. In older to help finance this ambitious scheme, a charter membership fee of twenty-five dollars was adopted. In addition to this measure, each member signed an agreement to accept a share pro-rata of the loan of $3000.00 to be made at the Dominion Bank on the personal notes of the Brothers. At the meeting of December 9, 1950, it was moved and carried that the lot of Bro. Boone be purchased for cash. It was also agreed that the first Tuesday of each month was the most suitable time for the lodge meetings. In addition, a vote of thanks was tendered to the building committee, consisting of Bro. Tom Heale and Bro. Gordon Edwards. Finally, the members experienced a real sense of accomplishment when they decided to select a name for their new Lodge. In the future, they would he members of the ATIKOKAN LODGE. On February 6, 1951 the following were appointed trustees of the Lodge property: Bros. G. Edwards, W. Leishman and W. A. Rooney. At the meeting of March 6th, an exciting announcement was made. The building would be ready for the next meeting of April 3rd. However, the interior of the building and the roof had to be completed. Accordingly each Brother volunteered his services, applying his talents to a particular phase of the building operation. Bros. J. Fraser and Art Cromack took charge of the wiring assisted by Brothers of that trade; Bro. M. Waranuk undertook to supervise the requirements for carpentry. On March 9, 1951, the Brethren assembled at the building site, for the purpose of' applying the insulation and beaverboard. However, it was soon discovered that the south half of the roof was not yet completed. In freezing temperatures, the Brethren worked with frozen fingers, pounding nails to hasten the completion of the roof. On the following evening, the contractor put the finishing touches on the roof and attention was now focused on finishing the interior. Since the March weather remained too cool for working comfort, it was decided that two oil-burning salamanders should be borrowed. This plan, however, proved to be more of a hindrance than a convenience, for once the burners were lit, the building was so engulfed in smoke that the electricians were driven out of the attic and forced to abandon work temporarily. Although the delay was a nuisance, the incident added a touch of humour to the working bee. Eventually, the burners were cleaned and adjusted and the industrious crew returned their tasks. With insulation and sheathing of the inner walls completed, Bro. Waranuk offered to build the dais for the Worshipful Master and Senior Warden besides the platform for the side benches. Bro. Waranuk also applied his talents to the construction of the altar and Masters and Wardens pedestals. On April 3rd, 1951, the Brethren proudly assembled for the first club meeting in their new building. It was reported that the petition to the Grand Lodge praying for dispensation had been circulated among the charter members and forwarded to the Grand Lodge. It, was also decided that fir flooring should be procured for the second floor and that the interior of the lodge should be finished in blue paint. The Granite Lodge had promised to send a past Master from Fort, Frances for the required degree work. For his convenience, the meetings were altered from the first Tuesday to the first Wednesday of each month. The meeting of May 2nd was primarily concerned with financial considerations of the Lodge. The financial report, read by Bro. Heale Indicated a bank balance of approximately $400.00. It was estimated that a further $1500.00 would be required for completion of the building and the purchase of necessary regalia. Considerable discussion followed regarding the method of' obtaining and using this money. It was finally agreed that it should be raised by means of new notes and the doubling of present ones. Further discussion ensued concerning the possibilities of raising finances to maintain the Lodge and pay interest on the loan. Bro. G. Edwards offered to endeavour to raise $200.00 by private subscription. At the same meeting, the social aspects of the Lodge were organized by the establishment of suitable committees. Bros. H. Waranuk, H. Benedict, J. Sinclair, and W. Croome were appointed to the entertainment committee and Bros. J. Fraser, T. Code and W. H. Davies to the sick and visiting committee. At the meeting of June 6, 1951, inquiries were made by Bro. Bil1. Leishman into the electrical power used during the work on the building prior to the completion of its own system. Since the power had been supplied by means of' an extension run to Mrs. Johnson's home across the street, it was suggested that a Cheque for $10.00 be enclosed in a suitable letter of thanks which was to be delivered in person. It was also proposed that a family picnic be held at French lake on July 7, 1951. It was decided that the cost should be borne by the membership. So ended the last meeting of the Atikokan Masonic Club. From its small beginnings in 1920 the Club provided entertainment and fellowship to many Masons resident of and visiting the area. Its members had shown a remarkable tenacity in the tradition of' Masonry in Atikokan in spite of many discouragement’s. Together, they laboured to achieve the necessary instruction, to raise sufficient finances and construct a suitable building for their final achievement, the creation of Atikokan Lodge No. 668. As the Lodge became more firmly established, it began to participate in activities particular to the Brotherhood. On the evening of June 22, 1952, the Atikokan Lodge held their first church parade in the First Protestant Church. An excellent sermon was delivered by Bishop Lofthouse on the meaning of Masonry as practiced by the Craft. His text was taken from Galatians, chapter 6, verse 4 "But let every man prove his own work" and Ecclesiastics, chapter 11, verse 9 “But know thou that for all these things, God will bring thee into Judgment". The final event of major importance in the history of Masonry in Atikokan took place on the 26th day of September 1952, A.D. with the institution, dedication and consecration of Atikokan Lodge No. 668. The lodge was opened In the First Degree at 3:30 p.m. W. Bro. Barrett and Bro. Gordon Edwards were deputized to proceed to the portals of the Grand Lodge and announce that the Worshipful Master, Officers and members of the Atikokan Lodge were assembled in their Lodge room and desired that the Grand Lodge should attend for the purpose of constituting, consecrating and dedicating the Lodge for Craft purposes. The deputation retired at 3:25 p.m. and returned at 3:35 p.m. to announce that the Grand Lodge would attend in due course. At 3:40 p.m. the Lodge was opened in the Second Degree and at 3:50 p.m. the Tyler announced the arrival of Rt. W. Bro. Dixon, the Rt. Worshipful the acting Grand Master. The Grand Lodge was admitted and welcomed by the Worshipful Master; Grand Honours were given with W. Bro. Barrett acting as Director of Ceremonies. Rt. W. Bro. Dixon was requested to advance to the East and assume the Gavel; the Officers of the Grand Lodge were asked to assume the Officers duties of the Lodge. The, Acting Grand Master, Rt. W. Bro. Dixon apologized for the absence of V. W. Bro. Dunlop, who was unable to attend because of parliamentary commitments. The former stated that this was the first occasion that he had officiated at the Constitution Consecration and dedication of a Lodge. Following this, the Charter was read by V. W. Bro. Acting Assistant Grand Secretary as the charter members of the Atikokan Lodge stood before the Alter. With the presentation of the Charter to the Master, the Lodge was duly constituted. In accordance with the appropriate ceremony, the Lodge was then consecrated. A subsequent break in the lengthy ceremony was afforded with the calling of the Lodge from labour to refreshment at 4:40 p.m. Labour was resumed with the Dedication of' the Lodge with Corn, Wine and Oil whereupon it was proclaimed from the Grand East, the Grand West and the Grand South. The Dedication was then pronounced by the Acting Grand Chaplain. Finally, the Acting Grand Master congratulated the W. Master, Officers and Brethren of the Atikokan Lodge for the manner in which the work had been carried on in the past year and for the worthy work they had done in building such a fine Temple. He commented upon the keenness displayed by the Brethren in building their Temple and thus becoming in effect Operative Masons. Moreover, he reported that the Craft was progressing rapidly in the Province and that consequent upon this, the Atikokan Lodge would not long be the baby Lodge. In addition, he expressed his admiration for the progress of the Atikokan Lodge and his trust in the Officers and members of that Lodge in safeguarding the interests of the Craft. It was also anticipated that, the Lodge would assume a place of dignity and importance in the community. Finally, the Acting Grand Master asked the Worshipful Master to assume the Gavel and the Grand Lodge retired. The Lodge was then called from labour to refreshment at 5:20 p.m. in order to attend a Masonic Banquet. The Banquet attended by members, visiting members and Grand Lodge members, was held in the basement of the First Protestant, Church and was catered for by the ladies of that Church. Following the dinner, the Lodge resumed labour at 7:45 p.m. whereupon past Masters of the district assumed the Offices. Bro. T. Heale, the first Master of the Atikokan Lodge was installed in his Office and the other officers were invested. At 9:40 p.m. the lodge was closed. Following thiseventful day, the Lodge settled down to routine matters of more mundane importance. Prior to 1958, the building had been heated by an oil burning space heater. However, this proved unsatisfactory, as there was no heat between meetings, causing dampness and frost to form on the inside walls during the very cold weather. Early In 1958, with the financial position of' the Lodge considerably improved, it was decided that an automatic furnace should be installed. Accordingly, on January 20th, Bro. Murray Howard, assisted by other Brethren, installed a hot air plant for the sum of $415.00. At about the same time, sewer and water facilities became available to the residents of Clark St. Upon discussion it was decided that an addition to the building would be necessary for the accommodation of a toilet and a sink. During the summer of' 1959, a contract was let to Herb Allan for the frame and all outside work of an 8 foot by 20 foot addition. The installation of the toilet and sink and the finishing of the interior of the addition were to be done by the members of the Craft on voluntary basis. With these improvements, the building was rendered very comfortable for the Lodge Meetings. Aside from these more basic requirements there were certain other events important to the history of' the Lodge in Atikokan. At a meeting of the general purpose committee on March 28th W. Bro. J. D. Fraser was nominated for the position of' District Deputy Grand Master for the Year 1958-59. W. Bro. George McLeod was elected Grand Steward for 1959-60. The history of Atikokan Lodge No. 668, is one of' which its members can be proud. It is a long history extending from its birth in 1920 to its coming or age in 1951. It is a history sprinkled with discouragement, achievements, humour and earnest progress. The past years have witnessed the fruition of a plan laid in 1950; there have been years of hard work, economy and remarkable cooperation among the Lodge members. But their work has not been in vain, for they have a Lodge, the Atikokan Lodge No. 668 which is indeed worthy of their Craft.