A Brief Background of Cheyenne Lodge 660   
                                              by Shelton L. Daniel 

   The turn of the Century brought with it the beginnings an Elks Lodge in Cheyenne. A group of prominent citizens felt the need to establish a place for fellowship without the bawdy environment of the well-established Cheyenne Social Club. Elks Lodges had already sprouted up along the railway to the west in the smaller towns of Laramie, Rawlins and Rock Springs. 
   An application was submitted with the required Membership guarantees, and Institution was issued February 12, 1901. The Charter was granted soon after, June 25, 1901, with 75 members on the roster. Officers from the Denver Lodge 17 conducted the first meeting of Cheyenne Lodge 660 to install the initial set of Officers with A. D. Kelly as the Exalted Ruler. Many of the new Elks members were initiated. 
   For the next year and a half, meetings were conducted at unknown locations, few being available. However, the building of a permanent Elks Home must have been their highest priority. A property, on the eastern edge if the city, was purchased at a cost of $1,000. Legend suggests that one of the several available basic plans from Elks National was obtained as a model. An Architect/Contractor was selected and a Ground-Breaking Ceremony was held at the site on September 9, 1902, barely a year after their first meeting. 
   The cornerstone was laid at a ceremony shortly after, October 12, 1902. Photos available verify that this date was inscribed thereon. 
   Construction continued for a year, with the building being dedicated at a ceremony on November 2, 1903. This is best described by an article published in the Rocky Mountain Herald, dated November 7, 1903 (Excerpts are included below; the full text is available in the Lodge Reception Room).



(Excerpt: Rocky Mountain Herald, dated November 7, 1903)

This building was completed at a cost of $40,000, and was dedicated on Monday November 2, 1903. The Rocky Mountain Herald, in its edition of November 7, 1903, told of the dedicatory ceremonies as follows: 
   “Last Monday afternoon and evening belonged to the Elks in Cheyenne, and they made good use of it. On that day and evening the Elks gathered there for the purpose of dedicating one of the handsomest homes ever erected to the cause of that noble order. Grand Exalted Ruler, Brother Joseph T. Fanning, was there and conducted the dedicatory services in a most dignified manner, and showing the brothers and friends that he is every inch an Elk. In the afternoon a herd of 19 of the very best people of Cheyenne were escorted over the “salt lick,” and introduced into the hidden mysteries of Elkdom, and every one of them expressed himself as satisfied with the ceremonies. 
   “The exercises began at three in the afternoon and it was near seven o’clock before the finale; after which the lodge adjourned and the beautiful hall was filled with the brothers and ladies and at the hour the Grand Esquire announced that Grand Exalted Ruler, Brother Joseph T. Fanning was in waiting for the purpose of performing the dedicatory services. He was escorted into the hall by the officers of the lodge, the program was fully carried out, and the beautiful hall became the home of the Elks in that city. 
   “The ceremony of dedicating a hall for the use of Elkdom are a very beautiful and create a good impression on the audience. It consists of building a pyramid of the four objects of the order upon the alter, the foundation being “Charity,” then followed “Justice,” “Brotherly Love,” being topped off with “Fidelity.” 
   “After the dedicatory services had ended, short talks were indulged in by Brother A. D. Kelly, chairman of the building committee who entertained his hearers with a history of the lodge from its inception up to date, and judging from his language he was about the happiest brother present, as his hopes had been realized. “Among those who attended, there were people from Denver, Boulder, Fort Collins, Greeley, Colorado Springs, Omaha, Chicago, Laramie, Rawlins, Rock Springs, and New York. 
   “The home of Cheyenne Lodge No 660 is one of the best appointed in the west, and is a credit to the energy and perseverance of the brothers of that lodge. It is conveniently arranged, well heated and lighted. In the basement is located a large plunge bath, billiard hall, [and] cloak rooms for both ladies and gentlemen. The second floor is used for reception and lodge rooms, the hall being large enough to seat no less than 500, and have ample room for initiations. In fact it is the finest lodge room we have ever visited. 
   “After the dedicatory services had ended, the hall was cleared of chairs and dancing was indulged in by the elite of Cheyenne until the small wee hours of morning, when all departed for their homes, highly pleased with the evening’s entertainment. All hail, No 660!!” 



   As Cheyenne grew and expanded, so did street development. The widening of 17th Street caused the modification of the grand entry steps leading up to the second floor Lodge Room. 

 

   Patriotism and membership grew, and the coffers filled, as a result of The World War. Additional spaces for new and changing Lodge activities were needed. A revised plan was developed and construction started in 1922. Somewhat radical, it literally “Raised the Roof.” Six feet was added upward to the structure. Structural columns were added to the first and second floors and a new third floor was installed. This new upper level became the Lodge Room where you are meeting today. The balconies were enclosed and the small plunge bath was eliminated. Needless to say, this modification required extensive modifications to the exterior of the building as you may observe in this photo. 



   Again, after World War II, money became available and other major improvements were made to the original building (circa 1951). A two-story addition was added to the south side of the original structure, which you now enjoy as a Bar/Lounge on the lower level and Card/Pool room on second level. Many alterations have taken place on the interior throughout the years, too numerous to be recounted. However, one is worthy of note. In 1990, a contractor was hired to repaint the ceiling of the Lodge Room. He transformed a bleak plastered ceiling into the simulated wood-beamed work of art that you see today. (Author’s note: That contractor subsequently became a member of the Elks, sat every chair Officer Station and continues to be a motivative and active force in the Lodge. Name … Tom Dunbar, PER).




Our beautiful upstairs lodge room.


The Lounge


The downstairs dining room
Click below for a map

Map of 100 E 17th St
Cheyenne, WY 82001-4516, US