B. P. O. E. Building (Bellingham, Washington)
Encyclopedia
The B. P. O. E. Building, otherwise known as the Elks Club was originally built for the Bellingham chapter of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks
in 1912, during the city's second major building boom. It is located within the vicinity of the old Federal Building on Cornwall Avenue, historically known as Dock Street. The Elks no longer occupy the building and it is now home to an Italian restaurant. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places
in 1992
shows put on by the Elks. Local newspapers at the time reported their intention for a building "... at least three stories in height. However, and it is possible that it will be four stories high." The lodge failed to secure enough funds and the project was put off for several more years.
In February, 1912, the Elks purchased a lot on Dock Street across from the recently completed Federal Building for $10,000 with plans to begin building a lodge immediately. Local architect William Cox was chosen to plan the building which would include: "A high ceiling basement, plentifully lighted, a ground floor some five feet above the sidewalk line and a second floor designed for lodge room purposes and nine living rooms for members who desire to live at the club." The basement would contain a large gym
nasium and bowling alley and all rooms were to be finished with dark Mahogany
. The facade would be composed of pressed cream-colored brick
and terra cotta
trimmings. A marquee
over the main entrance with "Elks Club" spelled out in art glass
was an original feature of the building, since removed. Cox visited many others Elks Lodges in the state to aid with his designs.
By late May 1912, Cox's plans were complete and a call was made for construction bids. The construction contract was awarded to H. Tweedy. Construction began in June 1912 and with the building well under way, the cornerstone
was laid on September 1 with ex-governor Albert E. Mead
addressing the crowd. The ceremony was concluded with the singing of "Auld Lang Syne
" by the Elks quartet
. By early 1913, the building was complete and the Elks held their first meeting in their new home. It was formally dedicated on March 25, 1913 with nearly 1,000 Elks from lodges statewide in attendance.
In 1938, the interior of the building was remodeled as well as the replacement of the marquee with a new art deco one. By the late 1940s the bowling alley was gone and in the 1960s the kitchen was moved from the second to the first floor. The Elks sold their building in 1971 and relocated to a smaller building on Samish Way, in proximity of Interstate 5
. Following a brief occupancy by the Castle Restaurant, the Elks Building sat vacant until 1976 and has housed a succession of businesses, mostly restaurants, since then.
Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks
The Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks is an American fraternal order and social club founded in 1868...
in 1912, during the city's second major building boom. It is located within the vicinity of the old Federal Building on Cornwall Avenue, historically known as Dock Street. The Elks no longer occupy the building and it is now home to an Italian restaurant. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places
National Register of Historic Places
The National Register of Historic Places is the United States government's official list of districts, sites, buildings, structures, and objects deemed worthy of preservation...
in 1992
History
Bellingham Bay Lodge #542 of the B.P.O.E. was instituted on February 10, 1900 with twenty members. The lodge met in the Masonic Hall on the south side of town before moving into new quarters in the newly completed Rice Block, adjacent to the Beck Theatre, on Dock (now Cornwall) Street in 1906. Membership increased rapidly and by 1909, the Elks were in need of a larger meeting space and decided to build their own building. As soon as funds allowed, the lodge set out to secure a site and build a new lodge building. Bonds were issued to lodge members only and fund-raising began in the form minstrelMinstrel
A minstrel was a medieval European bard who performed songs whose lyrics told stories of distant places or of existing or imaginary historical events. Although minstrels created their own tales, often they would memorize and embellish the works of others. Frequently they were retained by royalty...
shows put on by the Elks. Local newspapers at the time reported their intention for a building "... at least three stories in height. However, and it is possible that it will be four stories high." The lodge failed to secure enough funds and the project was put off for several more years.
In February, 1912, the Elks purchased a lot on Dock Street across from the recently completed Federal Building for $10,000 with plans to begin building a lodge immediately. Local architect William Cox was chosen to plan the building which would include: "A high ceiling basement, plentifully lighted, a ground floor some five feet above the sidewalk line and a second floor designed for lodge room purposes and nine living rooms for members who desire to live at the club." The basement would contain a large gym
Gym
The word γυμνάσιον was used in Ancient Greece, that mean a locality for both physical and intellectual education of young men...
nasium and bowling alley and all rooms were to be finished with dark Mahogany
Mahogany
The name mahogany is used when referring to numerous varieties of dark-colored hardwood. It is a native American word originally used for the wood of the species Swietenia mahagoni, known as West Indian or Cuban mahogany....
. The facade would be composed of pressed cream-colored brick
Brick
A brick is a block of ceramic material used in masonry construction, usually laid using various kinds of mortar. It has been regarded as one of the longest lasting and strongest building materials used throughout history.-History:...
and terra cotta
Terra cotta
Terracotta, Terra cotta or Terra-cotta is a clay-based unglazed ceramic, although the term can also be applied to glazed ceramics where the fired body is porous and red in color...
trimmings. A marquee
Marquee (sign)
A marquee is most commonly a structure placed over the entrance to a hotel or theatre. It has signage stating either the name of the establishment or, in the case of theatres, the play or movie and the artist appearing at that venue...
over the main entrance with "Elks Club" spelled out in art glass
Art glass
Definitions of art glass can be as complex and contentious as definitions of what constitutes "art" and will inevitably include many refinements and exceptions...
was an original feature of the building, since removed. Cox visited many others Elks Lodges in the state to aid with his designs.
By late May 1912, Cox's plans were complete and a call was made for construction bids. The construction contract was awarded to H. Tweedy. Construction began in June 1912 and with the building well under way, the cornerstone
Cornerstone
The cornerstone concept is derived from the first stone set in the construction of a masonry foundation, important since all other stones will be set in reference to this stone, thus determining the position of the entire structure.Over time a cornerstone became a ceremonial masonry stone, or...
was laid on September 1 with ex-governor Albert E. Mead
Albert E. Mead
Albert Edward Mead was the fifth Governor of Washington, serving in that position from 1905 to 1909.Mead was born in Kansas on December 14, 1861. There is conflicting information about his town of birth: most reliable sources say it was Manhattan, Kansas, but there is one claim he was born in...
addressing the crowd. The ceremony was concluded with the singing of "Auld Lang Syne
Auld Lang Syne
"Auld Lang Syne" is a Scots poem written by Robert Burns in 1788 and set to the tune of a traditional folk song . It is well known in many countries, especially in the English-speaking world; its traditional use being to celebrate the start of the New Year at the stroke of midnight...
" by the Elks quartet
Quartet
In music, a quartet is a method of instrumentation , used to perform a musical composition, and consisting of four parts.-Western art music:...
. By early 1913, the building was complete and the Elks held their first meeting in their new home. It was formally dedicated on March 25, 1913 with nearly 1,000 Elks from lodges statewide in attendance.
In 1938, the interior of the building was remodeled as well as the replacement of the marquee with a new art deco one. By the late 1940s the bowling alley was gone and in the 1960s the kitchen was moved from the second to the first floor. The Elks sold their building in 1971 and relocated to a smaller building on Samish Way, in proximity of Interstate 5
Interstate 5
Interstate 5 is the main Interstate Highway on the West Coast of the United States, running largely parallel to the Pacific Ocean coastline from Canada to Mexico . It serves some of the largest cities on the U.S...
. Following a brief occupancy by the Castle Restaurant, the Elks Building sat vacant until 1976 and has housed a succession of businesses, mostly restaurants, since then.