In 1893 Twenty-three Masons applied for a dispensation to form a lodge at Eddy, NM. The dispensation request was granted by Grand Master J.H. Kuhns. John W. Poe set the craft to work April 10, 1893 and on October 2, 1894 before the charter was issued. John W. Poe again was present to dedicate Eddy Lodge November 17, 1894.
The 23 Masons seeking dispensation came from twelve states, Quebec, and the District of Columbia. Alonzo Luckey was the Worshipful Master and Harry Church the Senior Warden. Both have streets named for them in what, in 1899, became Carlsbad, NM.
The new lodge started things with a rush. Eleven candidates applied at the first meeting after dispensation and in five months 31 meetings were held. The lodge met in what was then known as the Tansil block which later became the Crawford Hotel.
In 1904, Eddy Lodge brethren wanted a home of their own, and erected the building which served the lodge for more than half a century. Unfortunately, some fire damage was suffered to the lodge building in 1909, but the lodge was refurbished and continued to meet until the early 1960s. In 1961 there was an elevated influx of people to Carlsbad caused by visitors to Carlsbad Caverns and because of the potash industry brought a rapid growth to Eddy Lodge. Dean Wait, Hugh Hall, A.J. Brandon and Kern Smith planned the new temple, and Brother R.O. (Bud) Beatty built it.
It was dedicated December 23, 1961 by Grand Master Ray J. Lofton. The new temple is as beautiful as any in New Mexico. Its large lodge hall, fully carpeted, has three rows of theater type upholstered seats on each side of the hall. The DeMolay room is used for banquets and there is a fine kitchen and commodious parlor as well as a secretary’s office with fire-proof vault. Eddy Lodge still resides at this address. We have a stated meeting every 1st Thursday of the Month with a meal served at 6 pm followed by lodge meeting at 7 pm. We also hold a Scottish Rite Breakfast every 1st Saturday of the month cooking at 6:30 am and eating at 8 am. All are invited to attend the breakfast!
Eddy Lodge began hosting a meeting in the Carlsbad Caverns in 1964. At one point, attendance reached over 800 members at these meetings at which a degree was presented by a visiting degree team. Teams came from Roswell, Oklahoma, Louisiana, Colorado, Texas, Arizona, a Shrine team from Ballut Abyad, a Shrine team from El Paso; each presenting the third degree. A team from the Grand Lodge of Cosmos in Juarez presented the E.A. degree on one occasion. Recently, the National Park Service withdrew their facility, making it unavailable for Masonic degree work. This is a unique attraction for Carlsbad, and one which Eddy Lodge would like to renew.
Learn more about the activities of Eddy Lodge #21, by visiting our Trestle Board tab at www.eddylodge21.com. If you are a Mason, come to lodge and sit with your brothers.