"This photo shows Mill Valley Lodge No. 356 sometime after 1963. Note Mill Valley had yet to place overhead power lines underground or install street lights, and parking meters did not extend past 19 Corte Madera Avenue."
Mill Valley Lodge’s Sixth Decade
April 1, 1954, Samuel Burt died. His funeral services were conducted by Ralph Brott.
September 3, 1957, lodge membership stood at 445.
November 3, 1959, Virgil Hollis affiliated. Hollis was Marin Superintendent of schools for many years.
In 1959, Jean Hoerni and Robert Noyce developed a new process called planar technology at Fairchild Semiconductor. Robert Noyce and Jack Kilby co-invented the integrated circuit in 1959. Their invention revolutionized the electronics industry. The company grew quickly after 1967 under CEO Charlie Sporck and new management, moving headquarters from Danbury, Connecticut, to Santa Clara, California in the heart of today's Silicon Valley.
April 8, 1960, a reception was held for Grand Master Joe L. Shell, along with a 314th Masonic District. Shell later ran for Governor of California.
June 7, 1960, a memorial was given for George Harlan, Master in 1912.
September 24, 1960, the Lodge was visited by the Chinese Acacia Club, which conferred a third degree.
September 1960 Bulletin
"Chinese Acacia Club: On Saturday, September 24, the Chinese Acacia Club will confer the Third Degree of Masonry on one of our candidates. Those of you who had occasion to witness this team at Military Lodge can attest to their proficiency. Prior to the degree work at 8:00 p.m., a dinner will be served at 6:30 p.m. in the banquet hall. There will be a nominal charge of $1. Whether you plan to attend or not please fill in and send the enclosed card."
1961 Passenger Ship Square and Compass Clubs
Matson Lines SS Monterey Masonic Meeting on May 10, 1961 at Long 143° 22'W Lat. 6° 33'S - 25 members of the Craft who were passengers on the SS Monterey were present at the "Masonic Men's Get-Together" held at sea at the above longitude and latitude. Among them was Mill Valley Lodge No. 356 member Earl M. Thacker who had joined the Lodge in 1921 while he was Third Officer on the SS Wolverine State. The 1918 Tam grad, Bro. Thacker, had become a self made millionaire in real estate and tourist related businesses and was known as "Mr. Hawaii" According to the Honolulu Star Bulletin, Monday, July 26, 1971, "Mr. Thacker knew kings, potentates and other heads of state and had been a friend of former President Lyndon B. Johnson for 25 years."
In 1965 President Lyndon B. Johnson appointed fellow Freemason Judge Thurgood Marshall to the office of U.S. Solicitor General. Before his subsequent nomination to the United States Supreme Court in 1967, Thurgood Marshall won 14 of the 19 cases he argued before the Supreme Court on behalf of the government. Indeed, Thurgood Marshall represented and won more cases before the United States Supreme Court than any other American.
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