Cortland Masonic Lodge # 529
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The first meeting, under dispensation, of Cortland Masonic Lodge was holden  at Cortland, Ohio on November 17, 1882, in H.G. Bacon & Co's building on Main Street. There were 77 brethren present, 20 brothers from Cortland and 57 visitors representing 7 different Lodges. The stated meeting dates were, "Monday on or next preceding each full moon and on Monday two weeks later.

At the meeting on September 24, 1883, a motion was made and second that Brothers S.F, Barlet and H.D. Holcomb be appointed to meet with the Grand Lodge at Columbus, Ohio on the third Tuesday in October, 1883 in the interest of obtaining a charter for our Lodge, The motion was passed. The last meeting of Cortland Masonic Lodge under dispensation was October 15, 1883. The first communication as a chartered Lodge was November 12, 1883, with 30 members and 9 visitors present. In the minutes of December 24, 1883, it was moved and second that a bill for $2.50 be paid to J.A. Bradford  for the framing or our Lodge charter, the motion was passed.

Our first Master, S.F. Bartlett, was a native of Johnston Township. He was also Master of Old Erie Lodge # 3 in 1879-1880. He was the Trumbull County sheriff from 1878-1882. The Ohio Industrial Report of 1887 for Warren states: " S.F. Bartlett, carriages, etc. 10 employees." Warren 's largest employer was Warren Tube, - 161 employees; second was Winfield Mfg. Co. - 86 employees.

In the minutes of June 2, 1884 a bill was submitted by J.A. Bradford for $44.00 for the purchase and freight of the secretary's desk. This desk is still in use in Cortland Lodge today!

On December 21, 1885, WB S.F. Bartlett, PM of Old Erie # 3 and Cortland Lodge U.D. installed the officers of Cortland Lodge. The minutes state the brethren and their wives went to Gilmore Hall fro a banquet. This is the first mention in the minutes of Gilmore building. The Gilmore building was the west half of the old Lodge on Main Street.

In the minutes of August 15, 1887 the secretary was ordered to notify Brother C.F. Clapp that we would have work in the Entered Apprentice or Master Mason degree at the next stated meeting or Special Meeting thereafter that he might appoint. This was the first mention of an inspection noted in the minutes. MWB C. F. Clapp was Grand Master in 1894.

On a motion on February 11, 1889 the trustees were instructed tom procure the use of Brother Gilmore's hall; and were further instructed to confer with Mr. Bacon on the use of his hall until the new hall was completed.

On March 11, 1889 the secretary was instructed by a motion to petition the Grand Master for privilege of moving to our new room.

On March 25, 1889 on a motion the, communication from the Grand Master granting dispensation to move to our new hall was placed in the file.

The first funeral was March 27, 1889: Special Meeting. This being the occasion of the burial of WB R. A. Bartlett, the Lodge proceeded to his residence in Johnston and with the aid of Old Erie Lodge # 3, Jerusalem Lodge # 19 , and Gustavus Lodge # 442, proceeded to bury the deceased brother with Masonic honors. The Lodge returned to the hall and closed in due form and harmony.

In December 28, 1903, Cortland Lodge was changed from a moon Lodge: Resolved that article one of the bylaws be changed to read: "The stated monthly communications of this Lodge shall be held on the second and fourth Wednesday evenings of each month at seven o'clock."

On May 4 , 1932 WM E. L. Wollam appointed a committee to prepare a program for the 50th anniversary of Cortland Lodge and the 200th anniversary of the birth of George Washington. This event was held in the school auditorium. Dinner and talks were given by WM E. L. Wollam. W. Bros. F. R. Carlile, C. B. Gretzinger, and Bro. J. H. Wannamaker of Cortland; WB Frank M. Justice of Western Star, and WB L. B. Griffith of Old Erie.

On September 7, 1953 Cortland Lodge agreed to purchase the building of Agnes B. Ludlow for the sum of $8,800. this building is the west half of our old lodge building. The second floor was the Gilmore's Hall where the Lodge moved in 1889. This motion was approved by the Grand Lodge on September 21, 1953. Signed by Thomas A. Reber, Grand Master; and the Temple Committee: C.W. Ellenwood, James J. Harbage, and James W. Morgan.

On March 16, 1960, the Lodge agreed to purchase the Sigler building for $10,000. It was approved by the Grand Lodge on April 6, 1960. Signed by Charles K. Cunningham, Grand Master; and Temple Committee: C. W. Ellenwood, John L. Guss, and James J. Harbage. While this involves two parcels of real estate, the building was built as one unit and was divided by center stairs and partition.

In 1986, Brother Julian Craver saw fit to bequeath Cortland Masonic Lodge approximately 115 acres and a large sum of money. The brothers of Cortland Masonic Lodge contracted MWB Steven J Krekus to design a new Lodge building and on October, 1988 our new Lodge Hall, built on the donated land was dedicated to Free Masonry.

Cortland Masonic Lodge through out the years has been very active in our community. We partnered with the American Red Cross and sponsor a blood drive on the 3^rd Saturday of every other month. We have had an American Cancer Society Relay for Life Team since the relay was started in Cortland and hold an annual car show and spaghetti dinner to benefit the Relay for Life Team every September. We also participate in the city of Cortland’s annual Homecoming parade in June. We also, host the annual 25^th District Outdoor Raising held in our outdoor amphitheater.

In 1998, under the watchful eye of WB John Bauman, Cortland Lodge took over the sponsorship of Emerald Assembly # 44, International Order of Rainbow for Girls, which went dark several years before. It is still active after 10 years and continuing to prosper.  

We have been honored to have two District Deputy Grand Masters appointed from Cortland Masonic Lodge; they are RWB Roger F Yost and RWB Terry E Swauger (currently serving his second year). Both of these fine men continue to serve Cortland Masonic Lodge and the Masonic Fraternity.

On April 12, 2008 Cortland Masonic was honored to host the officers of the Grand Lodge of Ohio, who recon created Cortland Masonic Lodge on its 125^th anniversary of Freemasonry in Cortland Ohio. I was honored to be Master of Cortland Masonic during its 125^th anniversary celebration. It is my hope that when this capsule is opened and this history is read that Cortland Masonic Lodge will still be active in the city of Cortland, Ohio.

This site is not complete and is still being composed, if you have any information on our history, please send or E-Mail it to me at Chaggy2@aol.com