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From the Gowanda PennySaver News "Reflections" series compiled by Mary Pankow. issue date - April 28, 2002

c. 1929

Phoenix Lodge #262, F&AM, part 2 - In 1923, the lodge at the corner of Walnut and Jamestown streets was sold to Relief Lodge No. 511 I.O.O.F. Phoenix Lodge moved to the newly acquired Moench place on West Main Street. When the Moench property was sold in 1927, temporary quarters were taken once again in the I.O.O.F. lodge. Unhappy as tenants rather than owners, the Phoenix Lodge formed the Gowanda Masonic Building Corporation. Officers were: John Volk, president; John Schatt, first vice president; Ralph Schaack, second vice president; Dr. H.C. Allen, treasurer; and George Lambert, secretary. Trustees included: Frank Brown, Elmer Gayvert, Walter Ley, Thomas Mills, Lynn Rew, Ralph Carpenter, C.J. Howard, J.W. Linz, Lester Parke and George Graves. The Crawford House site, which the fire of 1927 had left vacant, was purchased and B.F. Aldrich of Springville was retained as architect. Plans for a new building were soon complete and Henry Salzler of Springville was awarded the construction contract. On Aug. 27, 1929, the cornerstone of the new building was laid by Right Worshipful Dana Hellings, junior grand warden of the grand lodge. On Dec. 4, 1929, a banquet was held in the temple to celebrate its completion. Cost of the construction for the South Water Street lodge tallied approximately $60,000. In the photo, a large group gathers as ground is broken on the new lodge. Those who have been identified are: George Lambert, Lester Parkes, Ralph Schaack and Edna Carpenter, in steam shovel; and Henry Allen, Elmer Gayvert, Norris Graves, John Volk, Vern Holden, Pop Schatt, Paul Miller, Charles Richards, Harry Whiting, Otto Gutekunst, Ralph Carpenter, Rev. Bucannah, Thomas Mills, Arthur Brown, Ralph Cross, Chet Bushnell, Herbert Luce and Henry Salzler. (Photo courtesy of Phoenix Lodge #262, F&AM.)