Vitruvius Lodge

Masonic historians say that Vitruvius is a lodge that grew in spite of itself, and a country home lodge, where peace, plenty, prosperity, and true Masonic hospitality abounds.

Vitruvius Lodge No. 145 received from Grand Master N. Greene Curtis, on May 25, 1860, a dispensation, and at the twelfth annual communication of the Grand Lodge, May 16, 1861, a charter was granted.

An upper story of a house on the lot 125 x 50 feet was the first meeting place of the lodge. As owners of quarter interest in the place, the brethren met there till 1876, sharing it with the Sons of Temperance and the Bloomfield Methodist Church. Then on December 16, 1876, they dedicated their own hall, and afterward had a grand ball. This was a two-story 28 x 66 foot brick structure that was demolished thirty years later by the earthquake of 1906. After the earthquake, they built the present temple on the same site, partly from relief funds sent in by lodges from all over the nation, and while this edifice was under construction they met in the Odd Fellows Hall. They dedicated this building in April, 1908. Two thousand dollars was borrowed from the members, which was liquidated in 1922.

In 1922, a banquet hall and kitchen were added to the building, and in 1948, the lodge hall was again enlarged and the lower floor that had served as a general store was made into a new banquet room and a new kitchen. The lodge hall itself was extended by 16 feet and a furnace was installed.

Vitruvius Lodge was named after Marcus Vitruvius Pollo, a Roman architect, engineer, and author of De Architectura. It is not known why the Lodge was named Vitruvius, but apparently Justus Hinman, our first Worshipful Master or one of the other Charter members was a student of ancient history.

After 140+ years, Vitruvius Lodge is still meeting regularly.