Elizabeth Lodge No. 34, A.F. & A.M.

                                                               Norfolk, Virginia

Love of Masonry and lack of adequate transportation may truly be said to have caused the formation of Elizabeth Lodge No. 34. In 1885, Atlantic City, County of Norfolk, in the Commonwealth of Virginia, was a sparsely populated community. Its boundaries were roughly, the Elizabeth River on the West and South, The Hague and Only Road on the East and Claremont Avenue on the North.

As time advanced the area of Atlantic City was annexed by the City of Norfolk. In 1956, Atlantic City was demolished and today the Medical Tower now stands near the center of “Old Atlantic City.”

On March 16, 1883, the Grand Lodge of Virginia granted a dispensation. On December 14, 1886, a charter was granted, naming the following officers:

 James E. Wright                     Worshipful Master

C. Brooks Johnson                  Senior Warden

Henry W. Hostetter                Junior Warden

Henry Hodges, District Deputy Grand Master on February 1, 1887, duly instituted Elizabeth Lodge No. 34.

The first meetings of Elizabeth Lodge were held in a room over a hall owned by Brother A. M. Heistand adjoining his drug store on the corner of Front and Second Streets. The Lodge remained at that location until November 1, 1887, at which time it moved to the International Order of Odd Fellows Hall, often referred to as the Redmans Hall, on the corner of Camp Avenue and Poole Street. The Lodge remained at this site until the later part of 1917.

During these early years the Lodge gained a reputation of being strict, but fair. It has supported the Masonic Home from 1889 to the present and still by custom, places a hat on the Altar at each Annual Communication to receive donations for the Masonic Home.

On June 1, 1954, it was announced that contracts had been let and ground breaking was held for the new Temple on the corner of Granby Street and Breckenridge Avenue. This progress started an effort to obtain pledges, which produced $67,760.00 from the members of Elizabeth Lodge. The cornerstone of the present Temple was laid by the Grand Lodge Officers on October 10, 1954.

This lodge has, in addition to regular Lodge activities, events such as Ladies Night, Barbecue Dinners, Chicken Dinners, Bazaars, Fish Fries, Covered Dish Dinners and since 1970 an Annual picnic for the members and their families.