Pound Lodge No. 59, A.F. & A.M.
Pound, Virginia
During 1939, the Masons living in the area of Pound, Virginia recognized a need for a Masonic Lodge. A canvas of Masons secured seventeen signers to the petition requesting a dispensation to institute a Lodge to be known as Pound Lodge. A recommendation was received from the adjoining Lodges, Hoge Lodge No. 8 at Wise, Virginia, and Clintwood Lodge No. 66, at Clintwood, Virginia, favoring this new Lodge.
The Grand Master of Masons in Virginia responded favorably to this request and on November 18, 1939, Right Worshipful William Hiram Wheatley called a meeting in the old Odd Fellows Hall in Pound. The dispensation authorizing Pound Lodge to work as a regular Lodge was read. There were forty-nine visiting Brethren from three Grand Jurisdictions present. Bylaws were read and adopted. The following officers were elected:
Orby Lee Cantrell Worshipful Master
Acie Cantrell Senior Warden
A. M. Qualls Junior Warden
The petitions of Earl G. Jackson, Harold C. Jackson, Guy Jackson, D. B. Hollyfield, and O. M. Morris were received.
In February 1940, Worshipful Brother Orby Cantrell received the charter for Pound Lodge No. 59. This was formally presented to the Lodge at its stated communication on February 17, 1940.
The Lodge continued to hold its meetings in the Odd Fellows Hall until July 1946, when it moved to the second story of a building on Main Street in Pound. This was rented on an annual basis until 1954, when the Lodge bought the upstairs portion and in 1965, the Lodge purchased the entire building. The second floor is used for the Lodge room and the first floor is rented to a business establishment. The rental income has kept the Lodge finances reasonably secure, without having to rely entirely on membership dues.
In February 1980, the entire building was destroyed by a fire, which started in a faulty heating system. Fortunately, the records were saved.