Peterborough 155

History

The site of Peterborough was originally known by the Mississauga Indians as Nogojiwanong, "a place at the end of the rapids". It was called Scott's Mills in 1821 after Adam Scott, who built saw and grist mills on the Otonabee River. In 1825 the name Peterborough was proposed by Frances Stewart, wife of the first storekeeper, for Peter Robinson (1785-1838). That year he had organized the migration of 2,024 settlers from the south of Ireland to the area north of Rice Lake. Robinson was a member of the House of Assembly of Upper Canada (1817-1824), of the Executive Council (1827-1836), and of the Legislative Council (1829-1836), in his capacity as commissioner of crown lands and surveyor general of woods. Peterborough became a town and gave its name to the County of Peterborough in 1849. Peterborough became a city in 1905.

At the 8th Annual Communication of the Grand Lodge of Canada (July 8, 1863, Montreal) the Grand Master, M. W. Bro. Thomas Douglas Harington, noted that he had issued a dispensation to each of Peterborough and York Lodges (Peterborough and Eglinton, respectively) and he recommended Grand Lodge authorize Warrants for both²• Peterborough Lodge had been instituted by the Grand Lodge of Canada on January 27, 1863. Warrant No. 155 was issued on July 14, 1863. This would be the second Masonic Lodge in the town.

The eighteen charter members of the new Lodge were: Dr. George Burnham, MD (first WM), Robert Stephenson (first SW), Allan T. Huffman (first JW), N. Hoffeler (first Treasurer), P. C. Blaicher (first Secretary), Henry Lawson (first SD), Samuel Ridpath (first JD), Thomas Galley (first IG) and John Drake (first Tyler) and Lewis Grant, I. J. Christie, J. M. Burns, William Helm, W. Bruce Ferguson, B. Kimball, J. A. Butterfield, A. Smith and A. Aitkins. The first initiation was held on April 10, 1863, when a Brother J. I. Davidson was initiated (he remained a member until his death in 1922, almost 60 years later).

The first demit was approved on October 28, 1888, when Bro. R. Dennistoun had to sever his ties with the fraternity on being appointed a County Judge. It was apparently felt that his judgement would not be objective if a Masonic brother appeared before him in court. The first application for affiliation dates from November 25, 1868 when a Bro. Dr. Might, MD from Millbrook moved into the town and sought to affiliate with the Lodge. In 1884 the Lodge spent $65.00 to acquire a portion of ground at Little Lake Cemetery for indigent deceased brethren. Some time later Corinthian Lodge also acquired land for the same purpose. In June 1884,Peterborough Lodge established a fund to be used for "emergent cases of need."

For many years both Corinthian and Peterborough Lodges have shared the same facilities. Originally, Corinthian occupied rooms over the Judge's chambers in the Courthouse, the Oddfellow's Hall on Rubridge Street, over a store between Hunter and Simcoe Streets until destroyed by fire, and then the Sons of Temperance Hall. By that time arrangements were made to share with Peterborough Lodge and the Lodges jointly occupied rooms in a building at the corner of George and Simcoe Streets until 1887. In 1887 they removed into rooms fitted up in the Dunsford Block on Water Street and, in 1892, back to rooms in a building at the corner of Water and Hunter Streets. Losing their facilities to fire in 1918, the two Lodges shared the Oddfellow's facilities while developing rooms over the Bank of Commerce at the corner of Water and Hunter Streets. The two Lodges remained here from 1919 until 1950, by which time they had purchased the present property at 415 Rubridge Street and spent considerable time and effort in erecting a Lodge Room and Banquet Hall attached to the original building. The facilities were dedicated on October 31, 1952.

Seventeen members of the Lodge served the colours during World War I: Bros. C. R. Cameron and W.H. Targett paid the supreme sacrifice.Peterborough Lodge achieved its centennial with effect from February 15, 1962. The Lodge celebrated its 125th Anniversary on April 16, 1987.The thirty-third and fortieth Grand Masters of the Grand Lodge of Canada in the Province of Ontario, M.