We are all therefore, members of a family: in this case it is Glenview Masonic Lodge No. 1058. Family members and friends often enjoy reviewing and reliving the past. The following encapsulated narrative of our family is written to celebrate our devotion to our craft and to the furtherance of our love of God and man. May it revitalize those who are members of the fraternity, and be an inspiration to those who are not.
On October 26, 1920, Glenview Lodge No. 1058 was born.
The then Grand Master of the State of Illinois, Right Worshipful Brother Daniel G. Fitzgerrell signed the petition for the creation of this Lodge.
The petition in part read:
“To all whom it may concern:
Greetings. Whereas, a petition has been presented to me by sundry brethren to wit:” (The minutes of this meeting showed 51 Brothers petitioning for the creation of a Charter, the first signature on the petition was Brother George Kehle) “residing in the village of Glenview and state of Illinois, praying for the authority to establish a new Lodge under our jurisdiction and promising to Render Obedience to the Ancient Usages and Landmarks of the Fraternity and Laws of the Grand Lodge, and Whereas said petitioners have been recommended to, as Master Masons in good standing, by the Master, Wardens, and Brethren of Glencoe Lodge No. 983, Wilmette Lodge No. 931 and Des Plaines Lodge No. 890…. Therefore, I Daniel G. Fitzgerrell, Grand Master of Mason of Illinois, reposing full confidence in the recommendations aforesaid, and in the Masonic integrity and ability of the petitioners, do by virtue of the authority in me vested, hereby grant this dispensation, empowering our well beloved brethren aforesaid, to form a Lodge after the manners of Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, to be known as Glenview Lodge and therein to confer the Degrees of Entered Apprentice, Fellowcraft, and Master Mason, according to the Ancient Customs and Usages of the Craft and the Laws and Regulations of the Grand Lodge, and not otherwise.”
The Grand Master then appointed the first officers of the Lodge:
Worshipful Master - Brother George Kehle
Senior Warden - Brother Mathias A. Grenning
Junior Warden - Brother William B. Carr.
A stated meeting followed where the By-Laws of the Lodge were written and approved. Thus began the history of Glenview Lodge No. 1058.
The first meeting was held in the Glenview House (John Dilg’s Saloon / Tavern), and continued to be held there until the third floor burned down in 1923.
(Glenview House - Glenview Road)
The only remnants of the Lodge to have been found were the officers Jewels.
(These can be seen on display above the register desk inside the Lodge).
(Lodge Jewels)
No other hall was available in Glenview. The Lodge moved to John Dilg’s Hall in Morton Grove. The hall, being in Morton Grove, the Lodge stayed there only one year, and moved to an assembly hall at Glenview School.
(Glenview School)
After about four years, the school district grew, and needed the hall in which Glenview Lodge met. Early in 1934 the Lodge once again moved, this time to the Glenview Civic Building.
(Glenview Civic Building)
During the 1930’s many of our brethren assisted in the formation of Deerfield Lodge No. 1110 as well as Morton Grove Lodge No. 1146. (George Kehle, the Charter Master of Glenview Lodge was also the Charter Master of Morton Grove Lodge).
During the depression and hardship of the times, Glenview Lodge suffered a great loss in membership. During World War II, brethren one after another, answered the call to serve their country, and fight for the principles and high ideals of our Country and our Masonic Fraternity. In 1942 our Grand Master Carl J. Mohr arranged several service centers to assist and entertain our members of the Armed Forces. A $2.00 contribution was requested from each member, and we are proud to say that Glenview Lodge was among the first to receive a 100% certificate. The Lord was good to us as all these fine brethren returned safely.
The Lodge in the 1950’s was advised not only by the Grand Lodge, but by the Village as well, to move from its location in the Civic Building. Brother Homer J. Long offered the tract of land adjacent to the Glenview Naval Air Station, for the building site with an approximate value of $2500.00, provided that the Lodge could raise the necessary funds for the structure.
 
(Homer and Louise Long) - (Glenview Naval Air Station)
It was at this time that the Glenview Temple Association was incorporated. A concentrated effort by the Glenview Temple Association, composed of members of Glenview Lodge and Glenview Chapter Order of the Eastern Star, was initiated to raise enough money for the building of the Temple that stands today.
Donations were made in the “Cookie Jar” after each of the lodge meetings. Dinners were held by the Easter Star, and the Lodge held annual fish frys on Past Masters’ Nights. At such an event in 1957 one hundred dinners were served at the Community Church. In attendance were Joseph Hibben, Village Manager; Harold “Chips” Peterson, President of the Glenview Chamber of Commerce; Brother Larry Scalbom, the then Worshipful Master of Glenview Lodge, and Brother Chester Stark, the Temple Architect.
The invocation and benediction were given by Rev. Ralph Thomas, also a member of Glenview Lodge.
On June 16, 1961, Most Worshipful Brother Harold Ross, Grand Master of Illinois laid the corner stone.
(Architectural Rendering of Lodge - 1961)
Worshipful Brother Arthur Palmgren, Past Master, acted as Master of Ceremonies, and Brother Rev. Ralph Thomas offered the invocation and thus our present Temple was dedicated. A sealed tube with memorabilia was placed in the cornerstone. Evanston Commandery #58 furnished an Honor Guard for the dedication. Refreshments were later served.
An interesting story was related by Worshipful Brother George Kehle, the first Master of Glenview Lodge. On the occasion of the Institution of the Lodge, the Grand Lodge Officers were invited to his home for dinner. It was here that the ground work of the Lodge began. While the Lodge was constructed, dinners were held at the Blue Heron at Glenview and Waukegan Roads. All food and services were gratis.
(Blue Heron Restaurant - Glenview)
Brother Kehle’s new corps of officers had never held positions in any Lodge. The first candidate for the degrees was Brother William B. Hagen.
The old safe from Glenview Lodge was held at the Whippet Knight Motors Company in Evanston where Worshipful Brother John Fuller worked. The Lodge telephone number was “Glenview 191 -J”.
In 1968, Austin Commandery 84, Oracle Chapter 180, and Austin Council 115, moved to our Temple and became the Glenview York Rite Bodies. Much work has been done for our Temple by these brethren.
Glenview Lodge celebrated its fiftieth anniversary in 1971, with a ceremony at the Temple, followed by dinner and dancing at the Glenview Country House (now Ace Hardware).
 
(Glenview Country House) - (Glenview United Lodge Officers and Wives / 1971)
In the summer of 1976 we were honored to accept the merging of Advance Lodge #1039 and Glenview Lodge #1058.
Some notable quotes from several of our Past Masters of that period still ring true today:
Otto Lamberg: “Brethren nothing can be more encouraging than you supporting your officers. We are all glad to see you and sure you will be repaid”
Arthur Palmgren: “The committees appointed for the year should function to the best of their ability, thereby promoting the interests of the craft.”
James C. Tonks: “Perfection is something that few of us ever acquire, so the duties which are assigned to you should be discharged faithfully and to the best of your ability, and always be reaching for the next step.”
Paul Anderson: “The dream of the new Temple will someday be built, we have laid the foundation for the brethren to complete.”
Lawrence Scalbom: “Cooperation is the most important thing necessary for the Lodge to flourish and grow. At times this cooperation is absent. Like life, Masonry is more given than take.”
Allan Parsons: “Masonry is alive and well in Glenview, our future is bright. Let us all pledge our fullest cooperation to the officers whom you have elected.”
It seems history certainly repeats itself. If we look at the Lodge records up to the present date, there is a strong tie to the past. We have encountered depressions, war, and declining membership. Yet our Lodge has provided to all of the appendant bodies, Masonic leaders who have served with distinction such organizations as the York Rite and Scottish Rite Bodies, advisors to our Youth Organizations, on local, as well as State levels. Many of our members have distinguished themselves by serving as: Eminent Grand Commander of Knights Templar, Most Illustrious Grand Master of the Grand Council, Most Excellent Grand High Priest of Royal Arch Masons, Illustrious Potentate of Medinah Shrine, and Most Worshipful Grand Master of Masons.
Your Temple Association also has not faltered in its responsibilities. A small group of these dedicated volunteers have, over the years, attended to the care of your Temple by having to replace the roof, replacing the carpeting in the hall as well as accomplishing the monumental task of replacing the entire parking lot.
Thanks to the vision of these members and your continuing donations, a venture in excess of $100,000.00 was accomplished without a second mortgage!
Glenview Lodge, YOUR Lodge, is proud of its traditions and reputation: the annual Christmas Party for the youngsters; our having sponsored a Little League Team in Glenview for the last several years, or even our annual Past Masters Luncheon all testify to the fact that your officers and members strive to continue these high ideals.
The quotes of Past Master Allan D. Parsons says it all: “Masonry is alive and well in Glenview, our future is bright….”
Let us remember to hold that burning taper in your hand, and “let your light so shine before men that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven…”
Actual construction pictures of Glenview-United being built in 1961-1962
 
 
 
 
 
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