The Tonopah Mining District, which lies approximately half-way between Las Vegas and Reno, is perhaps the only mining district in Nevada which has remained productive over most of its career - with ups and downs, of course, as the price of precious metals goes up and down. Precious metal ores were first discovered here in May of 1900 by Jim Butler, and the mines of the region have since produced over a third of a billion dollars worth of silver and gold.
As soon as word of Butler's discoveries was out, it seemed every prospector and miner in the West headed for Tonopah - at one time, there were over 7,000 residents in the new camp.
The seeds of Freemasonry were sown in Tonopah in the spring of 1901, but took some time to germinate and flourish. In February of 1902, a dispensation was issued to the brethren of the area to form a new Lodge, which was chartered in July of that year.
The Lodge organized the "Tonopah Masonic Corporation" in 1911, with the purpose of purchasing a suitable building for the use of the Lodge. The "Golden Building", near the heart of the business district, was purchased and refurbished for the sum of $20,000, and the building serves the Lodge to this day.
Tonopah Lodge recently had the rare privileged of raising a third generation Master Mason. Pictured in first photo below are Degree Team members (left to right) Robert Sorenson PM, Richard O. Sauer PM, William G. Roberts PGM, Gary Beall PM, Keith Beall, Art Noble PM, Secretary Brucite Lodge #42, Tom Beall PM High Country Lodge #163 Krennling, Colorado. Not pictured isTerry Rivero WM. In the second photo are, left to right, Keith's Father, Gary Beall PM, Keith Beall, and Keith's Grandfather, Tom Beall PM. Thanks to all of the brothers for making this a very special degree.
