WHO WE ARE
ALAMEDA OFFICERS
Exalted Ruler
Steve George
Esteemed Loyal Knight
Jeff Silva
Esteemed Leading Knight
Deirdre Sargent
Esteemed Lecturing Knight
Lynn Landry
1 Year Trustee:
Chris dos Remedios PER
2 Year Trustee:
Jeff Cowell
3 Year Trustee:
Terianne Potter
4 Year Trustee:
Nathan Nebrija
5 Year Trustee:
James Myers PER
Welcome to the Alameda Elks
We are neighbors who come together to meet, have fun, and help each other and our community in various ways.
We invite you to get to know us.
Start by giving our secretary a call at 510.522.1015 ext. 11. He can answer your questions about all things regarding the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks (B.P.O.E), give you options on possible upcoming events you can check out, or set up a personal tour of our lovely historic building.
Come pay us a visit! You might be surprised by what the Elks have to offer.
Want to become an Elk?
A little Elk history
NOV 25,1867
Charles Algernon Sidney Vivian, Richard Steirly, Cool Burgess, Henry Vandemark & Hugh Dougherty played the first game of “Jolly Corks” at Sandy Spencer’s Bar at Broadway & Fulton in New York City. The “Jolly Corks,” the beginning of the Elks, lasted from Nov. 25, 1867, to Feb. 15, 1868, and included their founder, Charles Vivian and E.W. Platt, Frank Langhorne, William Carleton, William Sheppard, Richard Steirly, John T. Kent, Henry Vandemark, Harry Bosworth and M.G. Ashe.
“Jolly Corks” members voting for “The Royal Antediluvian Order of Buffaloes” (B.P.O.E.) were Charles Vivian, Richard Steirly, M.G. Ash, Henry Vandemark, H. Bosworth, Frank Langhorne and E.W. Platt. Voting for the name “Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks” were W.F. MacDonald, G.W. Thompson, T.G. Riggs, William Carleton, William Sheppard, G. Guy, Hugh Dougherty and W.L. Bowron. The name “ELKS” was chosen by a committee viewing an Elk head at Barnum’s Museum.
FEB 15, 1868
MAR 20, 1870
The first B.P.O.E. fundraiser was held at the Academy Of Music at 14th Avenue and Irving Place in New York City. On March 20, 1870, the first Lodge of Sorrows was held for Brothers George E. Farmer and John W. Glenn; on the same date in 1880, the founder of the B.P.O.E., Charles Vivian, passed away of pneumonia in Leadville, CO.
Claude Goldie received a New York State Charter for the B.P.O.E.’s New York Lodge No. 1, and the first Grand Lodge meeting was called to order at 4:15 PM at 114-116 East 13th St. in New York City. In 1874 the B.P.O.E. instituted the position of District Deputy Grand Exalted Ruler.
FEB 12, 1871
MAY 31, 1889
The tragic Johnstown Flood killed 2000 people, and the B.P.O.E. began its tradition of helping American citizens with a donation of thousands of dollars for relief.
The B.P.O.E. was incorporated nationally. In 1896 the American Flag was added to the B.P.O.E. altar arrangement.
1895
MAR 17, 1906
The Alameda Elks Lodge No. 1015 was instituted.
The Great San Francisco Earthquake took place. Immediately following the earthquake, members of Alameda Elks set up a tent city for arriving families from San Francisco on open land located at the cross streets of San Jose, Park St. and Oak St. Members provided medical and dental services, daily meals, made sure all school-age children were enrolled in classes and assisted in finding employment for all able-bodied persons in the community. The Alameda Elks helped more than 5,000 people after the earthquake and, because of their generosity and the community’s welcoming spirit, more than 60% of that number remained and became residents of Alameda.
APR 18, 1906
SEP 30, 1908
PGER John K. Tener of the Charleroi Lodge umpired a spirited baseball game between a team from Greensburg Lodge No. 511 and the Boston Red Sox, led by Cy Young; the Elks 2 – 0.
The Grand Lodge gave official permission for the use of the “Eleven O’Clock Toast” on occasions where non-Elks were present.
1919
1923
The Green Bay Elks Lodge held a benefit to raise money for the Green Bay Packers Football Club.
The Elks Memorial was re-dedicated in Chicago, and the man who pulled the American Flag aloft that day was Brother John “Jack” Bradley of Appleton, WI, one of the marines who raised the American Flag at Mt. Suribachi in Iwo Jima.
SEP 8, 1946
Katy Rusting is initiated as the first woman to join the Alameda Elks. Katy has been a very active member of the Elks and continues to be a proud member today.