The Raising
The renovation project started with an "IDEA," it being, that since we are the oldest active lodge west of the Mississippi still meeting in the original building, maybe we should restore the building so it would last another 127 years. Some say it can not be done. Some say it should not be done. SOME are going to make it so. The challenge of this great undertaking will make the hearts of THOSE who DARED to make it so, SOAR, when successfully completed.
Bro. Bill Stacey(Webster Lodge) and Bro James VanZant(Soloman Lodge) 2 who dared.
The above pictures depict the begining stages of "THE RAISING." The building was sagging on the north (pictures on the shaded side of the bldg)at the foundation. Buildings were made in the 1800's by laying blocks of stone (some of which are quite large)on top of the ground without benefit of digging a foundation to prevent sagging. As the building aged along with inclement weather, the stones settled which caused this. Rain & Weather damaged the heavy beams that run along the north and south sides of the bldg from east to west. The floor joists(running north to south)were notched into the beams(not nailed). The iron work on the inside and outside of the bldg is to keep the bldg standing when we lift it up on steel girders laying underneath. Finding the wooden beams in their deteriorated condition made us think the job of raising the building impossible, but Bro Bill Stacy from Elkland Lodge (now joined with Webster) and the Master Mind behind the iron work and lifting of the building, made a statement that will stick with us for time immemorial. "Determination is 90% of any project. The question to you is will you proceed or will you retire?" Stating that we would like to proceed if at all possible, Bill then said, "This is a major problem but not one we can't overcome. We can do this." We made it so.
