Blue Mountain Lodge #38 was chartered on November 6, 1844
“There is nothing in the records as to who chose the name Blue Mountain; but, tradition has it since it was a Blue Lodge and located in full view of the Blue Ridge Mountains, the name was thought to be very appropriate.”
The founders of Blue Mountain Lodge #38 were: D.H. Mason was from Pennsylvania and came to Dahlonega as a Coiner in the U.S. Mint. W.H. Byrson was a merchant, E.H. Wingfield a miner, Jesse Wimpy a Presbyterian preacher, Roswell Hall a grocer, and B.M. Smith a medical doctor.
How the Lodge Charter Got to Dahlonega
On February 18, 1879, Bro. A.B. Barker died and was buried on February 20, 1879. He was buried at Yellow Creek Church in Hall County by the brethren of Blue Mountain Lodge. In the report of the committee on the life and character of Brother Barker, we found him to be one of the Charter members of the Lodge; however, his name was not on the list in the old records and that is why it was not listed in the beginning. But, the thing that was impressive about the report is that when the Grand Lodge met in Milledgeville, in November of 1844, Bro. Barker rode a horse from Dahlonega to Milledgeville and brought back the charter to Dahlonega.
The Seal of the Lodge
The seal of the Lodge was purchased from Bale and May of New York, who manufactured the deal according to the specifications of theLodge for the sum of eight dollars. Bro. Warwick, on a trip to New York, brought the seal back and presented it to the Lodge. This was in September of 1850.
Places the Lodge Has Met
The first meeting of the Lodge was held in a Presbyterian Church; however, the old building was near the street across from the A.S. Cantrell home, which later became the home of Professor J.C. Sirmon. This place of meeting was used only a short time. For some reason it was inadequate for a church and lodge. A committee from the Lodge and one from the Church was appointed to try to work out an agreement with both bodies; but, for some reason no agreement was reached. Therefore, the Lodge was forced to find another place to meet.
The old church building was still standing during and after the Civil War. During the war a company of union soldiers were garrisoned in the church. After the withdrawal of the soldiers, the building was though to be damaged too much to repair. the Heirs of D.H. Mason sold the building to Arch W. Wimpy. It was moved and used in the building of Wimpy Mill. Whether D.H. Mason built the church building or later bought it, the records do not indicate. However, it must have been his property or else his heirs could not have sold it.
So the young Lodge found itself without a building to meet in. During this time, there were two or more committees working to find a place without success. The only solution left was to rent a room at the Choice Hotel. This hotel was located on the corner of the public square, where the Pure Oil Station was located; and, now, it is the Welcome Center. It is not clear how long the Lodge met at this Hotel; but, at one of the meetings, they received a bill for the sum of thirty-six dollars for the rent of the room.
About the beginning of the year 1849, the Lodge made a deal with an organization known as the Sons of Temperance to meet in their meeting hall. Who the Sons of Temperance were and where the hall was located are not in the records. The Lodge met in that place for about two years.
At the meeting on November 5, 1850, a previously appointed committee reported that they had purchased a Lodge Hall from C.A. Besser for the sum of $750.00 After rearranging the building, the Lodge was moved in about the beginning of the year 1851. This building was located on the public square and joined the end of the Harrison Riley Hotel, later known as the Wigwam Hotel. The hotel was destroyed by fire. In the place of the hotel, Henry W. Moore built a hardware store and also a Ford Sales and Service.
The next meeting place was at the present location of the Lodge. The lot had been bought from Mr. Patton for the sum of $175.oo in 1855. A dwelling house was on the lot, and the lot was number six. A building committee was appointed in 1856 to draw plans for a new hall.
When the Lodge contacted the Deputy Grand Master, Samuel Lawrence, about laying the corner stone, he issued a dispensation to the Blue Mountain Lodge to open a Grand Lodge and lay the corner stone.