History
How it all began
In the Middle Ages, the terms "mason" and "freemason" were used interchangeably. They were stonemasons who built castles and cathedrals in England and Scotland. Because of the inherent danger of their work, many stonemasons formed local organizations, called lodges, to take care of sick and injured members as well as the widows and orphans of those who were killed on the job. The masons also used Lodges as places to meet, receive their pay, plan their work, train new apprentices, and socialize.
In 1717, the first Grand Lodge was established in London. Within the next two decades, English Freemasonry spread throughout Europe and eventually made its way to the American colonies. The first lodge organized on American soil appeared in Philadelphia, Pennslyania around 1730. By 1733 a Provincial Grand Lodge was organized in Boston, Massachusetts. George Washington, Benjamin Franklin, John Hancock, and other founding fathers were among the first Masons in America. Of the 39 men who signed the U.S. Constitution, 13 were Masons.
From the Middle Ages to California Gold
During the Gold Rush of 1849, thousands of settlers came to California in search of fortune. Those who were Masons brought their rich traditions with them, soon establishing some of California's first Masonic Lodges in the mining towns of the Gold Country. In 1850 - the same year that California became a state - the Grand Lodge of California was established in Sacramento.
The Beginnings of Elk Grove Lodge # 173
(As provided by the Elk Grove-Cosomnes Cemetery District)
The Elk Grove Masonic Lodge was organized on July 30, 1864 in the home of Obediah Shank Freeman. On October 13, 1864 the charter was received and became the Elk Grove Lodge #173 F&AM. On June 16, 1865 John Irons, a member of this lodge, became the first member to pass away. He was buried in the Ebernezor Baptist Church (The Little Brown Church Cemetery) located at the corner of Sheldon Road and Hwy. 99. This cemetery is now named the San Joaquin Cemetery. In 1891, the Lodge had John Irons disinterred and placed in the Masonic Cemetery in Elk Grove.
In 1871, the Lodge took steps to acquire property at the south east corner of the cross roads at Old Elk Grove. Two acres were purchased from D. W. Osborne in the name of Richard Allin, who was the Worshipful Master of the Lodge. A two story building was on the site, the upper half of the building was used by the Lodge and the lower was occupied by a Chinese wash house. In 1874, a portion of the acreage was set aside for a cemetery for Masons and their families. The plot was fenced and ornamental trees were set for the cemetery. However, the need arose for a burial plot for those with a "non" Masonic affiliation. This need prompted the Lodge to buy two more adjoining acres in the Elk Grove Masonic Cemetery Association.
In 1951 the Masonic Lodge deeded the cemetery over to the newly formed Elk Grove-Cosumnes Cemetery District, which also acquired the Odd Fellow Cemetery (Hilltop) on Waterman Road. The Elk Grove-Cosumnes Cemetery added the Franklin Cemetery in 1969, the Pleasant Grove Cemetery in 1971 and the San Joaquin Cemetery (Little Brown Church) in 1973.