| For years I'd wanted to visit Volcano Lodge #56. Being both a Mason, and a history-buff, it was a local Mecca that I'd yet to experience. Having spent the weekend before in our Scots kit, my friend, and Masonic Brother, Alastair Pether, decided it would be fun to attend in kilts. We put on our kit and then headed out for the hour long sojourn to the small, historic town of Volcano, CA. "Never a stranger among Brethren," was never truer. We were warmly welcomed and treated to the best pre-meeting dinner I've ever had (BBQ tri-tip!!!). A pre-meeting tour of the lodge gave us a chance to get some pictures and learn a little about its nearly 150-year history. The Volcano Masons purchased the one-time post office building in the 1850's. The thick steel door/window shutters and double-thickness masonry were testaments to the fear folks had of such notorious bandits as Joaquin Murrieta. After a quick look around downstairs, we were taken upstairs to see the actual lodge room. It was everything I'd heard, and much more. It stood frozen in time. Having no electricity, numerous kerosene lamps were the only source of light, and heat came from an old wood-burning stove. The officer stations were shrouded in fabric canopies, and the pedestals were of marble. Everything had the feeling of a past age, and I could almost imagine a Civil War era Brother feeling right at home were he to see the room today. The Worshipful Master, Carl Hogan, let us view their 1854 charter and the lodge Bible (given to them by a former U.S.Vice-Presidential candidate and former member). He explained that the rafters above the room were covered in a thin sheet of copper with a large quantity of sand above. This was an early form of fireproofing, for when a fire caused a hole in the ceiling, it was hoped that the sand would spill and smother the offending flames. It was with heavy heart that Alastair and I bid our Brethren farewell and headed home. I was thankful for the opportunity to visit and for the offer to return again. |
