Boulder's Masonic Pioneers, 1867-1886: Members of Columbia Lodge No. 14, Boulder County, Colorado Territory

The Columbia Lodge No. 14 Ancient Free & Accepted Masons was formally established in the town of Columbia (now called Ward) in 1867. In 1868, the Columbia Lodge petitioned the Grand Lodge to move to Boulder. There was a contemporary lodge in Valmont that disolved and many of the members of that lodge became members of the Columbia Lodge. Access to the early records of the Columbia Lodge was gracious granted to the Boulder Pioneers Project to help determine who the residents of Boulder County were before Colorado became a state in 1876. The Minute Books contain not only references to the on-going activities of the Columbia Lodge, but mentions members of the community who provided services to the lodge; members of the community who were in need and were helped by the lodge; Masons from this lodge and others who died in Boulder and whose funerals were conducted by the lodge; the establishment of a cemetery in the community part of which was run by the Columbia Lodge, part of which was sold to the Odd Fellows, part of which was reserved for a potter?s field; members of the community who purchased lots in the Masonic Cemetery; other organizations like the Odd Fellows who shared space and expenses with the Columbia Lodge, and much more. The Minute Books are a fascinating look at early life in Boulder. The Cash book shows each dues payment of members plus payments for cemetery lots and bills generated on behalf of the lodge for materials or services. There are a number of places where members are listed as stricken from the rolls. Reasons for being stricken are not always given but include the death of a member or when a member has moved from the area and has been granted a demit from the Lodge. The Visitors Book of the Columbia Lodge, 1874-1886, contains a list of the visitors to the Columbia Lodge, some of whom stayed in Boulder and became members of the Columbia Lodge.