Wadsworth today is a sleepy little village located 29 miles East of Sparks, on the edge of the Pyramid Lake Paiute Indian Reservation, near the "Big Bend" of the Truckee River. Where once all east-west traffic, both rail and road, funneled through Wadsworth, the town is now bypassed by Interstate 80, as well as by the Southern Pacific railway (then Central Pacific), which was originally the reason for its existence.
The town was born in 1867, as a division point of the Central Pacific. At the height of its glory, Wadsworth boasted a 21 stall roundhouse, an impressive and commodious two-story depot that accommodated the division operating offices, the Nevada House Hotel, noted for its affluence and plush appointments, complete with sprinklers and fountains, and passenger trains lined up end to end at the depot.
The town was destined to become the victim of the realignment of the Central Pacific roadbed, which occurred between the years 1901 and 1904. The major realignment occurred in the stretch between Reno and Lovelock, which included the portion from Clark to Browns, where the tracks were moved to the south side of the Truckee River, stranding Wadsworth on the north side of the river. The change actually added five miles of track by way of Hazen to Browns, but it eliminated helper districts, except for that portion over the Pequop Mountains.
The realignment eliminated the need for the installations at Wadsworth, so, in 1902, plans were made to move the railroad's shops and facilities to the Mary Wall Ranch in the Truckee Meadows, three miles east of Reno. The Company moved its employees free of charge, and sold them building lots at the new site for $1.00 each. In 1904 Wadsworth Lodge's charter was relocated to its new home in Sparks, where it rejoined its members.
The new locality existed for quite some time without any official designation. At first it was called East Reno, sometimes New Reno. In August of 1903 it became Harriman, in honor of E.H. Harriman, whose company, the Union Pacific, had purchased controlling interest in the Southern Pacific Company, then owner of the Central Pacific. But, subsequent to a visit of that dignitary later in the year, it was discovered that he would prefer that a different designation be chosen. Accordingly, it was again renamed, this time in honor of John Sparks, rancher, mine owner and then Governor of the State of Nevada.
The Wadsworth Lodge trip to re-identify its roots was led by Tom Swart, Past Master, Past Grand Master Calvin J. Dodson, Past Master, Past Grand Master Illio Cecchini, Past Master, and O.H. 'Buck' Hatlestad, Past Master. With the aid of an 1897 Sanborn-Perris town map, they were able to locate the site of the Fraternal Hall on the South side of Main Street, just East of the current Post Office. The place is now a vacant lot, but before the building was destroyed by fire, it was owned by the Wadsworth Commercial Company, which in turn was owned by Carl Wallstab, who was initiated into membership in the Lodge in 1896. Fraternal Hall was occupied on the ground floor by a general store and a meat market. The second story was rented by Wadsworth Lodge #25, along with a Lodge of Odd Fellows, and a Chapter of the Order of the Eastern Star. According to Lodge records, the rent was $30.00 per quarter.
As part of the day's activities, Brother Swart conducted a short discussion at the original Fraternal Hall site, illustrating his remarks with a picture display board erected for the occasion. He reiterated here that Charles A. Beemer and Edgar A. Shepley were the first two candidates raised to the Sublime Degree of a Master Mason in Wadsworth Lodge. Both were raised on the same night, but Brother Beemer was the first candidate. It is interesting to note that Brother Beemer served the Grand Lodge of Nevada as Grand Master, and that Brother Shepley served the Grand Lodge of the Philippines in that same capacity.
Past Grand Master Dodson recounted the names of the charter members and told of their previous affiliations, together with other pertinent and interesting facts in their lives. They are: Thomas L. Bellum, Edwin W. Fowler, Martin Kline, W.S.Bailey, W.E. Van Horn, W.E. Cobb, William Dunlop, F.C. Compton and Louis Hettenhauser.
Thomas Bellum, the Episcopal Minister in Wadsworth, was the first Master of the Lodge, and was also the first of six of our brothers to serve more than one year in that office. He served briefly as Master in 1895 under Grand Lodge dispensation, and then was elected in June 1896 when the Lodge was chartered. He was re-elected for the 1897 term as well, and it is to him that the solid foundation and initial success of the Lodge should be credited.
Past Grand Master Cecchini related the story of the Episcopal Church, which was constructed through the efforts of the Lodge's first Master. In keeping with the purpose of the excursion, the group next visited the church, a delightful little edifice, located at the north end of Reservation Street. Mr. Enzo Gori, a Wadsworth native, admitted the members to the sanctuary and gave an address on the history of the church. It is understood that regular services are no longer conducted there, but it is opened on occasion for special functions such as wedding receptions and the like. Brother Swart also added some anecdotes, among them the story of an old dog that would spend his days lying in the doorway of a local bar, but, when Father Bellum would turn on the lights in the church, the dog would come across the street and take a position in front of the alter. He slept there during the services, and Father Bellum would step over him carefully when taking up the collection. When the lights were turned out after the service, the dog would resume his station at the bar.
There still remains in Wadsworth the shell of the old school house. No longer in use, the windows and doors are boarded up, and the school is in a sad state of disrepair. Lunch was served in the schoolyard, during which the brothers were treated to a continuing display of old pictures of Wadsworth in its heyday. At this time the members present were entertained by Past Master Hatlestad, who talked of the three brothers who affiliated, and the thirteen who were initiated, passed and raised during the year 1896. The affiliates were, again, J.T. Walker, Ira Heber Kent and J.W. Smith. The initiates, in addition to brothers Beemer, Shepley and Wallsteb, were T.B. Holmes, E.A. Jackman, A.T. Clippinger, George W. MacPherson, Joseph Sturm, Frank L. Voorhies, A.C. Webb, E.A Lewis, R. Holmes and A.C. Fishburn.
The outing closed with a visit to the old Fraternal Cemetery, where some of our members are buried. With Worshipful Phil Anderson, Chaplain, presiding, a short memorial service was conducted at the grave of Brother E.A. Jackman, one of the first initiates. Flowers were placed on the grave, and a donation of $25 was made to the cemetery association to assist in the upkeep of the cemetery.
John K. Carr, P.M.
Historian
Historian’s Annual Report for
Wadsworth Lodge #25, F. & A.M.
--Year 1998 --The year 1998 has been one of extreme activity, travail, but ultimate accomplishment and solid progress for Freemasonry in our jurisdiction.
But first some information on the history of Wadsworth Lodge in the early days, from the chartering date in the previous century.
On December 2, 1895, M.W. Grand Master Enoch Strother issued the required dispensation, to form a Masonic Lodge, to the following named Masons; Thomas Lloyd Bellum, first Worshipful Master and member of Golden City Lodge #1, Golden City, Colorado, Edwin Fowler of Rising Sun Lodge #7, South Royalton, Vermont, Martin Kline of Winnemucca Lodge #19, Winnemucca, Nevada, W.S. Bailey of Reno Lodge #13, Reno, Nevada, W.B. VanHorn of Truckee Lodge #200, Truckee, Nevada, W.E. Cobb of Winnemucca Lodge #19, Winnemucca, Nevada, William Dunlope of (Lodge Unknown), F.C. Hampton of Winnemucca Lodge #19, Winnemucca, Nevada, J.W. Walker of Hope Lodge #22, Yerington, Nevada, and L. Hettenhouser of (Lodge Unknown), Truckee, California. With this authority, Wadsworth Lodge #25 started its long career of Masonic activity. On June 9, 1896, the Grand Lodge of Masons in the State of Nevada granted a Charter to Wadsworth Lodge #25 F. & A.M. and the Lodge was on its way, dispensing ‘Masonic Light’ along with brotherly love and affection.
Membership in 1896 was comprised of 22 members and climbed consistently until 1930 when the Lodge had 218 members. The decade of 1930 to 1940 saw the first decline in membership. During that period we experienced a loss of 4 per cent of our Master Masons. Unhappily, that trend was an indicator of even greater losses in the years to follow.
The first meetings of Wadsworth Lodge were held in “Fraternal Hall”, on the main street of Wadsworth. They later acquired a schoolhouse, where they met until 1904. Wadsworth being a railroad town and since the railroad shops had been moved Sparks, Nevada, and the membership primarily being railroaders, the Lodge moved also. The Lodge requested, and received, permission to change the meeting place from Wadsworth to Sparks. It should be noted here that M.W. Brother Charles A. Beemer was the Grand Master in 1906 and was also the Master of Wadsworth Lodge during that year.
Wadsworth Lodge has been very fortunate in having dedicated Trustees and members of the Building Association who have worked hard and faithfully without a lot of fanfare, and never asking for praise in return. In 1962, the members of the Building Association, with the blessings of the Lodge Membership, acquired 2.36 acres of land, situated at Pyramid Way and York Street, in sparks for the location of a new Masonic Temple sometime in the future. They felt that this amount of land was large enough to build on and to have adequate space for parking for the Temple and other buildings or businesses that might be located there. It was an attempt to prepare for the expansion of our Lodge in the future.
The Lodge has been very fortunate in having good leadership in its Masters and in the beginning we were exceedingly blessed with competent Secretaries and, from the very start of the Lodge, the Trustees have done an excellent job. W.M. Thomas L. Bellum, besides being the first Master, was secretary for twenty years. M.W. Walter S. MacPherson was Secretary for twenty-eight years. Both of these brethren certainly laid a foundation for all others to follow. It should be noted here that our brother Edgar L. Shepley was Grand Master of the Philippines in 1970 and 1971. One could name many other brethren of Wadsworth Lodge who have made records of some kind in Masonry and have distinguished themselves as well as bringing honor to the Lodge. As the years progressed after moving the Charter to its new location in Sparks, the Lodge met in two or three different locations until the constructing of a new Masonic Temple, in the year 1921. For the next seventy-two years we were privileged to attend meetings and enjoy fraternal brotherhood on this magnificent new structure, of which we have so many happy memories. During all those years, the building experienced no structural defects of any consequence and was a safe haven for its tenants, both fraternal and business lessors. Commencing mid-year in 1992, the Building Department of the City of Sparks cited a few instances which their inspectors deemed hazardous and/or not up to the current code requirements. They pointed out the use of asbestos in the attic area, loose cornice areas in the roof parapets; seismic danger due to wooden supporting beams (no steel) and other problems. They threatened condemnation action and in July of 1992 gave us an extension of 180 days to either correct the deficiencies or face such proceedings. The Masonic Building Association members ultimately decided not to attempt such costly structural repairs but to raze the building, sell the property and go forward with plans for a new Masonic Temple on our property at Pyramid and York. In June of 1993, the building was vacated and we commenced our meetings at the Reno Masonic Temple, after receiving permission from the Grand Lodge to temporarily conduct our meetings at that facility. As unanticipated delays occurred, lengthy periods of time elapsed before it was possible to commence actual construction of the new building.
It would be several years before we would be meeting in our new Temple, although the Cornerstone Ceremony was held outdoors on September 14th, 1996. Officiating was M.W. Grand Master Jackson S. Houston. A large gathering of approx. 175 people attended. Also on this happy occasion the Grand Master presented P.M. Carl Shelly with his seventy-year pin. What a tribute!
During the commencement of construction on the new building and its eventual completion, the Building Association was face with numerous problems of a serious nature, Contractor delays, bad weather, shortage of funds and miscellaneous other problems, which made for much frustration for the Board Members. To the credit of the members of Wadsworth Lodge an appeal for donations resulted in the raising of thousands of dollars to be used in furthering the project.
The year 1998 was an extremely difficult one for W.M. Clifford S. ‘Kip’ Rodecker and his corps of officers and they are to be commended for their perseverance and hard work.
As in most worthwhile endeavors, the time comes when they end in fruition. This time arrived on June 19th, 1998 when we attended Lodge at our new Masonic Temple at 2425 Pyramid Way in Sparks, Nevada. This inaugural opening of a Lodge of Master Masons was also to receive M.W. Arthur K. Cronin, Grand Master of Masons in the State of Nevada and his corps of officers on his official visitation. After being dark for July and August we have had the great satisfaction of returning to our regular stated and called communications.
Another very impressive event took place on Saturday, September 12th, 1998, when the Grand Lodge performed the ceremony of Consecrating, Dedicating and Constituting the new Masonic Building. More that 100 attended and a barbecue was held following the ceremonies. W.M. Kip Rodecker made the most of the preparations for this event and it marked the completion of the formal ceremonies relating to the new building.
In the Trestleboard prior to the Stated Meeting of November 6th, 1998, W.M. Kip Rodecker declared the month of November to be “Past Master Carl B. Shelly Month”. This was to recognize Carl as the senior Past Master (59 years) and his continued activity in Wadsworth Lodge. A brief presentation was given by P.M. Tom Swart, which outlined the events in Carl’s life and his remarkable record in civic participation, business and Masonry. Past Master Carl then responded and told of some nostalgic events which occurred in years past in Wadsworth Lodge. W.M. Rodecker then presented a plaque to Brother Shelly commemorating this declaration.
One sad parallel to the events relating to the successful completion of our new Masonic Temple is the passing of Past Master and Past Grand Master Cavin J. Dodson. Brother Cal served on the Sparks Masonic Building Association Board of Trustees for many years and was its President for several terms. He would have so desired to see the culmination of this achievement.
In closing this report, we wish to thank all of the individuals participating in assisting financially and otherwise in the successful completion of the Sparks Masonic Temple.
Submitted:
Thomas E. Swart, P.M.,
Historian
Wadsworth Lodge #25, F. & A.M.
November 9, 1998
