BLACKFOOT — Sept. 19, 1921, was proclaimed Elks Day in Blackfoot when several hundred Elks members from around the Intermountain area came to town to attend the installation of the new Elks Lodge in Blackfoot. Large numbers were expected from Butte, Dillon, Salt Lake, Ogden and Boise, most arriving by train. While here, the visitors had time to visit the fair, which started the same day,

Potential members had been working for a year to obtain a charter and the authority to organize a lodge of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks in Blackfoot. Meeting in the Commercial Club rooms, they selected temporary officers and appointed a membership committee, planning for a charter date in mid-September. Lodges from Pocatello and Idaho Falls gathered in Blackfoot on the 19th to institute the new lodge, beginning with a parade with bands beginning on Bridge Street and ending at the lodge room. A banquet was held, then 76 new members were initiated into the lodge. Another 34 Elks transferred their membership to the Blackfoot Lodge, making a total of 110 members as of the charter day. E.M. Kennedy was elected as the first exalted ruler,, but his life was required of him not long after, and he became the first name on the Memorial Tablet. (H.D. McCosham became the acting exalted ruler before December.) Following the ceremonies, a dance was held which lasted until 12:30 am.

With this ceremony, the Elks joined a long list of men’s clubs operating in Blackfoot — the Commercial Club, the Masons, the Odd Fellows, the Knights of Pythias, the American Legion, the Modern Woodsmen and Woodsmen of the World.

The BPO Elks is a fraternal organization founded in 1868 and dedicated to community service, charity and patriotism, with a national membership currently around 850,000. The majestic elk was chosen as the symbol of the organization because it is native to North America, and it is both large and strong, while remaining graceful and fleet-footed. The elk has always been viewed as a noble animal.

On July 22, 1929, Blackfoot’s Elks Lodge was incorporated under the state of Idaho law for the purpose of building a temple. In September, eight years after the lodge was formed, ground was broken on North Ash Street to begin the construction of this temple. The cost was around $75,000. J.A. Stewart was serving as exalted ruler at this time, but the title had passed to Ray M. Berry by the time of the dedication ceremony in January of 1931.

The Daily Bulletin newspaper printed a wonderful Souvenir Edition to commemorate the dedication of the beautiful building. Inside were biographies of several of the national Elks leadership who traveled across the country to attend and speak at the dedication. There were also stories of the beginnings of the Lodge No. 1416, several interior photographs of the finished building, the complete program from the day of dedication and dozens of congratulatory ads from local businesses.

The temple, designed by Sundberg & Sundberg Architects of Idaho Falls, contained a spacious lodge room, billiard room, card room, club room, men’s and women’s lounges, a writing room and a library on the main level. Downstairs were the recreational facilities with bowling alleys, a handball court and a gymnasium with showers. There was also a kitchen and a banquet hall, large enough for dancing. The top floor contained 12 sleeping rooms for the accommodation of local and transient members. This building burned in October of 1953, leaving little more than the brick exterior walls.

Clean up and rebuilding were heart-wrenching, but it was completed, with some changes to the floor plan. Members, then, went back to their long list of projects, which have now benefited the city of Blackfoot for nearly 105 years.