Willcox No.10 F. & A.M.

1. Willcox No.10F. & A.M. Chartered 1891 Arizona Territory

2. A Town Forms in southeastern Arizona In 1878, a railroad camp was established on the high desert area of the Sulfur Springs Valley. Settlers quickly realized the potential of this area and by 1880 Willcox became a bustling town who’s main industry was cattle. Ranchers quickly took up residence in the area, many of whom where Freemasons. Trivia: Willcox was first known as Maley Camp.

3. Willcox No.10 - Lodge Beginings On January 20th of 1891, a number of Brethren met in the office of the Justice of the Peace to discuss the formation of a much needed lodge, the closest being King Solomon Lodge in Tombstone, 59 miles away. By May 20th of 1891, Willcox had been granted a dispensation to meet. They quickly obtained a room that the A.O.U.W. ( Ancient Order of United Workmen ) had been using at the Navajo Hotel and immediately set about the business of becoming a regularly chartered lodge. Original meeting location, the Navajo Hotel 1891 -1917 Trivia: The Lodge paid $15.00 a month to rent the room shared by A.O.U.W., this was incredibly expensive for a single room at that time. $15.oo in 1891 has the same buying power as $342.00 in 2008!

4. Willcox gets it Lodge Incredibly, by November 11th of the same year, they were granted a charter and the number 10. The Brethren of the Lodge spent the next few years initiating, passing and raising all men who came to their doors. By February 1916, their membership was around 50 and their little room was becoming a bit crowded. They decided to appoint a committee for the purpose of erecting a new building and by December they entered in a contract for a new modern 2 story brick structure to be built on a corner lot a block away from their meeting location for the sum of $8400.00 Trivia: Willcox is one of the few lodges that still has it’s original “Territorial Charter”.

5. The New Building is Complete By April 1st the building was completed, but with a large cost over run. The grand total for the building: $12,000. The Masons of Willcox had their new home and in April of 1917, they bestowed the first Master Mason degree in that building on Brother Mark Allen Cook. This building continues to be the center of Freemasonry in Willcox, having hosted a number of Masonic organizations past and present from O.E.S to the Rainbow Girls. Trivia: Willcox Lodge was nearly shook off it’s foundation and had to undergo repairs as the result of practice bombing in a nearby dry lake by the Army Air Corps during World War II.

6. Willcox Lodge Continues It's Traditions The Willcox Lodge continues to honor the pioneers of their lodge and they still utilize much of the original furniture and props that the lodge used over 100 years ago. Pictured below are the original Masters hat, a collapsible coffin, degree props and furniture in the South.

7. Willcox Lodge's Long Commitment to Freemasonry Willcox Lodge has a reputation for looking after their members. Pictured to the left is WB Mick Easthouse presenting a 70 year certificate to Mark Allen Cook, the first member to be raised to a Master Mason in the Lodge building back in 1917. Willcox has had the honor of presenting many 50 year certificates over the years. It seems that they have a hardy membership who have extraordinary dedication to the craft. Trivia: The fees for initiation in 1891 were $60.00, and the dues $1.oo per month, payable in advance.

8. Willcox Lodge No. 10, F. & A.M. 116 W. Maley Street, Willcox, Arizona (520) 384-2740 Stated Meeting 2nd Thursday of the month, 7:00pm