- Elks redirects here. For other meanings, see Elk.
The Benevolent & Protective Order of Elks had modest beginnings in 1868 as a drinking club (then called the "Jolly Corks") established as a private club to elude New York City laws governing the opening hours of public taverns. Early members were members of theatrical performing troupes in New York City. It has since evolved into a major American fraternal, charitable, and service order with over a million members throughout the nation. Current members are required to both be over the age of 21 and believe in God.
An interesting physical artifact of the order is the number of communal cemetery plots once favored by the group. Often these are marked with impressive statuary.
The headquarters of the Elks organization is located in Chicago Illinois at 2750 N. Lakeview Avenue. This is known as the Grand Lodge. Local Elks Lodges, also known as Subordinate Lodges, are located in many cities and towns across the United States and her territories.
A Grand Lodge Convention is held each year in a principal city in the United States. It is at this meeting that delegates from the Subordinate Lodges vote on the next new Grand Exalted Ruler. Other business, as deemed appropriate, is also conducted at the Grand Lodge Convention.
The local Elks Lodges are known by their Lodge number and the name of the city in which they are located. For example, the first Lodge, located in New York City, is Lodge 1, while the Lodge in Nashville, TN is Lodge 72. Today, a new Elks Lodge would be in the 2300 series of numbers, demonstrating that some 2300 Lodges exist at present. When a Lodge is closed, its number is typically retired, but if re-instituted at a later time, the City Name and Subordinate Lodge Number can be reinstated by the Grand Lodge.
In popular culture
In the Flintstones, Fred belongs to the Loyal Order of Water Buffaloes Lodge No. 26 with a "Grand Pooh-bah". This is likely a parody of the Elks and the Shriners as well as The Mikado.
External links
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