Mill Valley Lodge History

Mill Valley Lodge’s Seventh Decade

February 1, 1966, a memorial was given for Leon P. Van Atta, Master in 1922.

August 1, 1966, letter of resignation was read from long time Tyler, Roy Ewing, citing health reasons.

August 9, 1966, the Chinese Acacia Club conferred the third degree on Colin Wong.

June 6, 1967, a 50-year button was presented by Inspector Robert Smallman to Melvin Klyce.

September 5, 1967, it was announced by Kent Seymour that a funeral service would be held the following day for Mrs. Harvey Klyce, who died at age 94.

October 1966 Bulletin

The Lodge conferred one first and one third degree. "First Wedding in Lodge: On September 3, the wedding of Mr. Frank W. Prather of Mill Valley and Miss Mary Ann Jaggers of Vancouver, Washington, was performed in the Masonic Hall in Mill Valley by the Rev. R.Y. Gerrard. It was the first wedding ever to be held in our Masonic Temple. ¶Dinner for Worshipful George T. Rowse, P.M.: The members and ladies are invited for a social evening in honor of Worshipful George T. Rowse, P.M. and Inspector of the 314th Masonic District. Brother George has announced his retirement after 10 years of meritorious service. The event will take place on Saturday, November 5, 1966, approximately 8:00 p.m. at the Alta Mira Hotel in Sausalito. Cost $5.50 per person….¶Constitution Observance Breakfast: Sunday, September 18, at the Marin Masonic Temple in San Rafael, over 200 Masons, wives, and friends met to observe the signing of the Constitution of the United States of America. Guest speaker was Bro. Edward H. Siems, Grand Secretary, who presented the development and formation of our flag. The program was preceded by a very excellent breakfast prepared by Hamilton Lodge. ¶District Dinner Dance: The 314th Masonic District Dinner and Dance, held on Saturday September 24th at the Peacock Gap Country Club, was well attended. A very fine dinner was followed by dancing to a good orchestra. Our thanks to Bro. Tom Trimble for helping make this event another success. ¶Wednesday, October 26, Third Degree conferred at Marin Lodge by the Officers of Mill Valley Lodge. ¶Thursday, October 27, Officers Association Meeting at Fairfax Lodge; 6:30 p.m. Dinner. ¶On Saturday, October 15, Jobs Daughters will hold a car wash at the Union Station on Tiburon Hiway [sic]. Guaranteed the best car wash you can get. ¶DeMolay Meetings are every first and third Wednesday of the month. Support them by attending their meetings and enjoy their impressive ceremonies.

August 5, 1969, proposal was made to raise annual dues from $18.00 per year to $24.00 per year, and to increase the life membership from $375.00 to $500.00. The death of Edgar Donlan was reported. Pictures were shown covering unrest at UC Berkeley and SF State.

In 1970, a young Mill Valley resident, George Lucas, shot the futuristic film THX 1138, starring Robert Duvall, at the Marin Civic Center. American Graffiti followed in 1971, shot in part in San Rafael and Petaluma, and then Star Wars in 1977. Already transforming the way films were made, by 1980, George Lucas began construction of his Skywalker Ranch film center at 3838 Lucas Valley Road (Lucas Valley is named for Irish pioneer John Lucas who is no relation to George Lucas) and consolidated all Lucas' operations, including Industrial Light & Magic ("ILM") to Marin County.

October 5, 1971, Brother Bert Stocking made reference to recent news articles voicing dissention by many people concerning methods of teaching in Mill Valley Schools.

The usual procedure for a visit to the Masonic Home was to provide orchids to the ladies and cigars to the men.

December 7, 1971, Bert Stocking and Kent Seymour informed the lodge that the opportunity to obtain the Caspar Gardner property on Miller Avenue no longer exists.

At his installation as Worshipful Master December 11, 1971, Cecil Crowe read a quotation from William Penn.

"I expect to pass through life but once. If, therefore, there be any kindness I can show, or any good thing I can do to any fellow being, let me do it now, and not defer or neglect it, as I shall not pass this way again."

May 22, 1973, at the first degree of Edwin Kemp, Secretary Jake Uhrig sat as Master in the first section.

June 5, 1973, Cecil Crowe reported on his encounter with some of his bees which put him in the hospital for a short time. He will be through as a bee keeper.

October 2, 1973, Thomas Nelson, past Master, was presented with his 50-year button by Ralph Brott. Kent Seymour spoke about Nelson’s contributions to Mill Valley Lodge and his work as attorney for the City of Mill Valley. Present were fourteen past Masters.

October 16, 1973, exemplification of a British first degree was held by a British Commonwealth degree team, to a capacity crowd.

Earl Warren, Grand Master in 1936, died in July 1974.