Tulare-Fresno County CA Archives History - Books .....History Of Traver Lodge 1939
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Book Title: Golden Jubilee Souvenir Book

HISTORY OF TRAVER LODGE
NO. 294, F. & A. M.

NO HISTORY of Traver Lodge would be complete without a sketch of the town of
Traver, its origin, its rise and fall.

    Traver, now a "ghost city," is revived for one day each year when its former
inhabitants, their children and grandchildren meet for a reunion on or near
Traver Day, April 8th.

     Traver Day is the anniversary of the day the Traver farm land subdivision
was opened in 1884, with a fanfare of advertising and promotion rivaling that of
the most energetic modern methods. A group of capitalists financed a
colonization project on land located in Fresno and Tulare counties. Their 30,000
acres lay along the south bank of Kings River. A townsite of 240 acres, located
five miles south of Kings River, was surveyed and lots offered for sale on April
8th and 9th, 1884. The sales of these two days amounted to $60,000. Sixty days
later the newly born town of Traver contained a postoffice, an express office, a
railway station, a drug store, an implement store, two merchandise stores, two
lumber yards, two hotels, two barber shops, two livery stables, three saloons,
and on the west side, the inevitable Oriental quarter.

    This new wheat town of Traver replaced and caused the extinction of the old
cow-town of Cross Creek, located four miles to the south. It grew rapidly, fed
by excursions of home-seekers brought in from San Francisco and Los Angeles. Its
population soon exceeded 800 and was estimated by many at 1000. Next to Visalia
this was the best known community in the Southern San Joaquin Valley. There was
no Hanford and no Dinuba, and Kingsburg was but a small hamlet.

    In July, 1888, the residents of Traver and neighboring communities displayed
their enterprise in starting the project which, according to some destroyed
Traver, the Alta Irrigation District, which now serves one of the richest
districts in Tulare County.

    Noting how Traver had been turned from land suitable only for grazing into
productive farms by the irrigation system constructed by the 76 Land and Water
Company, residents of the district voted $410,000 in bonds to form an irrigation
district designed to serve 130,000 acres.

    John G. Knox, pioneer county clerk of Tulare County, named the district Alta
because its canal was to take water from the Kings River four miles higher than
any other district. Alta is the Spanish word for high.

    The view has been expressed that surplus irrigation water brought in through
the new canal and spread over the land, caused the water table to rise, and
brought up the alkali which caused the gradual abandonment of Traver farms and
finally of the town itself. Another theory blames the alkali and the inability
of the early-day irrigationists to cope with the problem created by a hardpan
condition. Whatever the cause, Traver began to decline in the late 90's and
today only a few palm trees, a few aged cypresses and an ancient well mark the
spot where the town stood. The last building to remain was the Southern Pacific
depot, which being the first building in town, ironically supports the Biblical
expression: "The first shall be the last." It was moved several years ago and is
now a dairy barn.

    Though Traver disappeared as a community, Traver and Traver people have
continued to influence the life of the San Joaquin Valley. The Alta Irrigation
District continues to serve the rich territory it developed. Many of the
buildings of early day Traver were moved to other communities where they have
given shelter for many years and where some still exist.

    Former Traver residents and their descendants are scattered throughout the
valley where they helped to build other communities. Many of these were actively
identified with the organizations which carried on the social life of the town,
when Traver was at its greatest height. It was during this period of prosperity
that Traver Lodge No. 294, was born.

    On November 30, 1887, a small group of Master Masons, residents of Traver
and the 76 Country, decided that the time had arrived in the progress of their
town that it should have a Masonic Lodge. Those present were: L. A. Rockwell, J.
S. Jone, W. D. Nelson, A. J. Rockwell, Louis Hirschfeld, E. M. Gobhart, J. W.
Mickle and S. T. Earl. These men called a meeting in the office of the 76 Land
and Water Company. L. A. Rockwell was elected Chairman and S. T. Earl, Secretary.

    A committee was appointed to take up the preliminary work necessary to
secure a Dispensation for the establishment of a Lodge, to be known as Traver
Lodge. The petition was dated November 30, 1887, and was drafted by L. A.
Rockwell, S. T. Earl and Louis Hirschfeld.

    The committee proceeded at once with its duties and regular meetings were
held in the 76 office, with the final result that on June 4, 1888, Grand Master
Hiram Newton Rucker issued a Dispensation establishing Traver Lodge.

    The place selected for a lodge room was in the second story of a frame
building belonging to Brother J. N. Bowhay. The building stood on the east side
of 8th Street and about midway between Bullard and Merritt. The lower story of
this building was occupied by Brother Bowhay and Douglas McCord as a butcher
shop and the upper story had formerly been used by Hayes and Starring for a
printing office, where they published the Traver Tidings.

    Hayes was the senior partner and leading spirit of the paper, but when he
was murdered in September 1886, the publication began to decline. In July 1887,
F. V. Dewey started the Traver Advocate, now the Alta Advocate of Dinuba.
Dewey's paper sounded the death knell to the Tidings and Starring left for parts
unknown.

    When Traver Lodge was organized, its jurisdiction included practically all
the territory now occupied by four lodges. These lodges are, in addition to
Traver Lodge, Dinuba, Reedley and Orosi.

    The list of names appearing on the Dispensation is as follows:
        Lorenzo Anson Rockwell, Master
        John Simeon Jones, Senior Warden
        William Dennis Nelson, Junior Warden
        Robert Lee Freeman, Treasurer
        Sumner Fremont Earl, Secretary
        Jasper Newton Bowhay, Senior Deacon
        James Newton Agee, Junior Deacon
        Anson John Rockwell, Marshal
        Louis Hirschfeld, Senior Steward
        Roberson Jefferson King, Junior Steward.
        Henry Houston Burum, Tyler
        Ozias Bingham, Past Master
        John Golden
        James Polk Neil

    The first stated meeting was held on the 23rd of June, 1888. Among matters
that came before the Lodge at that meeting was an application from John G
McCubbin to become a member by initiation, and at the next stated meeting he was
duly elected, thereby becoming the first member to be initiated in Traver Lodge,
U. D.

    Brother McCubbin, who in June 1938, received his 50-year Masonic Emblem,
humorously relates the following experiences in connection with his receiving
the degrees of Masonry:

    "During that period, Inspectors were not so strict in their requirements of
proficiency, prior to installation of officers, as they are at the present time.
As a con sequence of this apparent laxity on their part, die new lodge found
itself in a rather embarrassing situation. A candidate was ready to be initiated
and the officers were unable to confer the degree. The desire of the lodge to
have its own members do all the work connected with their first candidate,
necessarily caused some delay. The delay occasioned in the Entered Apprentice
degree was repeated, for like reasons, in each of the succeeding degrees.

    "Early in the evening on which the first degree was finally conferred, I was
told that they were not fully prepared and that I would have to wait another
week. I repaired to my room and retired. After I was sound asleep, I was
awakened by a rap on my window, accompanied with the words, "Johnnie, Johnnie."
On responding to the call, which was from Brother Earl, the secretary. I was
informed that the lodge was ready for me, whereupon I arose, dressed and
repaired to the lodge hall where I was "regularly initiated an Entered
Apprentice Mason."

    "On the evening of November 17th, following, all things being in readiness,
I was raised to the "Sublime Degree of Master Mason." On the same evening,
immediately following me, Brother Allen E. McClanahan. Fellowcraft of Selma
Lodge, was introduced and the lodge also conferred the Third Degree of Masonry
upon him.

    "It had been the custom of local lodges, prior to that occasion, for the
candidate, upon being made a Master Mason, to provide a banquet for all in
attendance. A Masonic brother by the name of Wright, though not a member of
Traver Lodge, was running a restaurant across the street to the west of where
Del Zante hotel was afterward built. This brother prepared a magnificent supper
for the occasion, which was thoroughly enjoyed by the 40 brethren who partook of
it.

    "The expense of the "feed," which was $20.00, was divided equally between
Brother McClanahan and myself.

    The Master was not in full sympathy with the idea of a candidate furnishing
a banquet for the crowd that had just witnessed his Raising, but as neither
Brother McClanahan or myself wished to be considered "pikers," nor establish a
precedent, the result was as above stated. This custom was continued far into
the early history of the lodge, and was one of the factors that helped to
establish the wonderful reputation the lodge has always enjoyed for its manner
of entertaining at banquets."

    Traver Lodge had a schedule of prices for conferring degrees, which was
$20.00 for one degree or $50.00 for the three. A rather amusing incident grew
out of the Raising of Brother McClanahan, who, as stated, was a Fellowcraft of
Selma Lodge. The Master instructed the Secretary to send a bill for $20.00 to
Selma Lodge for the "service" of conferring the Third Degree upon their
candidate. This the Secretary, did, and in due time a very courteous reply was
received from Selma Lodge to the effect that though their lodge had been fully
prepared and willing to confer the degree themselves, yet, as a favor to both
Brother McClanahan and Traver Lodge, they had gladly complied with the request
of the candidate and granted to Traver Lodge the privilege of conferring the
degree. It was afterwards learned that when the bill was read in Selma Lodge, it
afforded quite a little amusement and they decided that Traver Lodge was a
little "green" and should be excused for the blunder.

    A communication received from Grand Secretary, John Whicher, dated November
14, 1929, quotes as follows:

     "The dispensation for the formation of Traver Lodge was issued June 4,
1888, by Hiram Newton Rucker, then Grand Master. At the annual communication of
Grand Lodge that year, and on the 11th of the month, (October) the committee on
Charters reported as follows:

    "The records of Traver Lodge U. D. at Traver, in Tulare County, are in
proper form and fairly well kept, but a portion of them is without marginal
reference. Its first meeting was held June 23, 1888. Since then eight degrees
have been conferred and it now has 15 members upon its roll. The records show
that the Lodge is free from debt, but, as it does not petition for a charter,
your committee recommends that it be continued under dispensation until October
1, 1889. This was adopted.

    At the annual communication October 10, 1889, charter was granted, Morris M.
Estee was then Grand Master.

    Membership as of October 10, 1889, date of charter: Lorenzo Anson Rockwell,
John Simeon Jones, William Dennis Nelson, Robert Lee Freeman, John Cameron
McCubbin, Jasper Newton Bowhay, James Newton Agee, Anson John Rockwell, Louis
Hirschfeld, Roberson Jefferson King, John Solomon Young, Ozias Bingham, Emery
Barris, Henry Houston Burum, David Theodore Cook, Christopher Dudley, Sumner
Freemont Earl, John Golden, Joseph E. Hackney, Allen Ensley McClanahan, Albert
Miller Hugler, James Polk Neil, John Byron Terrill, John Elwin Toler, William R.
Neil.

    Withdrawn: Alexander Warren Baldrige.

               (Signed) John Whicher,
                        Grand Secretary.

    A portion of the records of Traver Lodge was destroyed by fire on July 28,
1890, while Brother Lyman B. Ruggles was secretary. The Tyler's register and the
stubs from an old receipt book were saved and from these, with the assistance of
members of the Lodge, Brother Ruggles was able to open fairly accurate ledger
accounts and to rewrite from memory and the existing records, the minutes of
some of the meetings held prior to the fire. The first authentic minutes are
those of the meeting held on December 13, 1890. The records from that date until
the present are safely deposited in the archives of the Lodge. A thorough search
of these records has furnished much of the data used in compiling this Golden
Jubilee souvenir book.

    From the early records we learn that Traver Lodge has contributed much to
the early civic and social life of the community. While much has been said about
the seamy side of life during the "boom" days of Traver, yet there were those
who found time for better things. There were people of fine culture, some with
great musical talents. There were men of keen intelligence, great hearts and
strong minds, who worked heroically to build and maintain the highest type of
civilization. Of such were the pioneers of Traver Lodge, and their names are
immortalized in early San Joaquin Valley history. Their deeds of charity,
however, are recorded onlyv in the Book of Life.

    Traver Lodge deserves great credit for the noble work it has done during the
fifty years of its existence. Not alone for what has taken place within her
walls, which is highly commendable, but also for the generosity displayed in
sharing liberally of both members and territory, from which three other lodges
have grown into substantial organizations.

    Much of the giving of that material was done at times and under conditions
which would have sounded the death knell of an organization composed of an
ordinary group of men. Only by the wonderful courage and loyalty that
characterized her membership, during those trying times, was Traver Lodge
enabled to continue the sacrifice and carry on.

    In 1907, after a bitter struggle to maintain its charter, Traver Lodge was
moved to Kingsburg, where on April 27th the first meeting was held in the old
Maxwell Hall on the corner of Draper and Simpson Streets. In 1910 the Lodge was
moved from Maxwell Hall to its present site, where it has grown and prospered
with the years.

    During the years of prosperity following the World War, Traver Lodge
experienced its greatest growth in membership. In 1921 its 100th member was
initiated. This number has been exceeded considerably, however, at the present
time there about 100 members in good standing. Many of these have moved to other
locations along the Pacific coast from California to Washington and in some of
the far western states, but a substantial group remains in Kingsburg and
vicinity to carry on the active work of the Fraternity.

    Hospitality, which has characterized Traver Lodge from it earliest days, has
never ceased. The same spirit of friendliness and good will exists today and the
members rejoice in the good fellowship with neighboring lodges and with
sojourning Masons. Inter-lodge activities with Selma, Dinuba, Reedley, Orosi,
Fresno and Corcoran are not unusual. No member who has ever attended "Corcoran
Night," will forget the entertainment and "feeds" at those joyous occasions. The
serving oi refreshments at meetings has always been a custom of Traver Lodge,
and the reputation as the "eatin'est" lodge in the Valley, claimed by some of
our pioneers, has been quite well maintained. Brother Frank Rea says that he and
Past Master Charlie Dill were the champion ice cream eaters of the 90's. From
his estimate of capacities, our present day Traver Lodge champions (and they are
no slouches), would be mere pikers.

    On June 17, 1939, Traver Lodge Hall was again visited by fire, the damage
this time being confined mostly to the building, owned by Arthur Anderson, of
Fresno. The lodge furnishings were damaged by fire and smoke to the extent of
$650.OO, which was fully covered by insurance. None of the lodge records was
destroyed and the damaged furnishings have all been replaced or repaired. In
addition the lodge has installed new fixtures which have greatly improved the
meeting place and its comforts. The building has been repaired and remodeled
with many features of added convenience.

    It is here that Traver Lodge will carry on the work which that little band
of faithful Brethren, by their unparalleled sacrifice and devotion, so nobly
began. It is here that Masons will meet upon the Level, act by the Plumb and
part upon the Square, until they shall meet again in the "House not built with
hands, eternal in the Heavens."

    Having completed its fiftieth year, Traver Lodge now looks ahead to making
even greater strides in the years to come, so, when the century mark is reached,
its members may look back over the years and point to a record of work well done.

"SO MOTE IT BE"


Additional Comments:
Extracted from:

GOLDEN JUBILEE SOUVENIR BOOK
Published by
TRAVER LODGE NO. 294
FREE & ACCEPTED MASONS
Kingsburg, California

CHARTERED
OCTOBER 10, 1889
AT
TRAVER, CALIFORNIA


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