WHO WE ARE
ALAMEDA OFFICERS
Exalted Ruler
Mark Graham
Esteemed Loyal Knight
Steve George
Esteemed Leading Knight
Andrew Custer
Esteemed Lecturing Knight
Deirdre Sargent
1 Year Trustee:
Roy Stout PDDGER
2 Year Trustee:
Leah Fischer
3 Year Trustee:
Chris dos Remedios PER
4 Year Trustee:
Jeff Cowell
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 Protective Order of the 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 on over, and 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 23,1867
Charles 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 Algernon Sidney Vivian and E.M. Platt, F. Langhorne, William Carleton, William Sheppard, Richard R. Steirly, John T. Kent, H. Vandemark, H. Bosworth and M.G. Ashe.
“Jolly Cork” members voting for “The Royal Antediluvian Order of Buffaloes” were C.A.S. Vivian, R.R. Steirly, M.G. Ash, H. 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, W. Carleton, W. Sheppard, G. Guy, H. Dougherty and W.L. Bowron. The name “ELKS” was chosen by a committee viewing an Elk head at Barnum’s Museum.
FEB 16, 1868
JUN 8, 1868
The first B.P.O.E. fund-raiser 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 Algernon Sidney 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 BPOE was incorporated nationally. In 1896 the American Flag was added to the B.P.O.E. altar arrangement.
1895
FEB 18, 1898
The present Elks emblem was adopted.
JUL 5, 1903
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 SF on open land located at the cross streets of San Jose, Park Street and Oak Street. 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
1919
1923
SEP 8, 1946
1970
Katy Rusting is initiated as the 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.