Elks Lodge was installed on February 16, 1911 in the Fraternity Hall at the Pheil Building on the south side of Central Avenue between Fourth and Fifth Streets. Through the kindness of the Woodmen Circle of which Mrs. T. A. Whitted was Guardian, she obtained permission from the Odd Fellows to use Fraternity Hall for an hour. St. Petersburg Lodge 1224 was initiated by officers of Tampa Lodge 708 around 5pm and the presiding District Deputy was Jefferson B. Brown of Key West, who later became Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Florida.
39 charter members of which 35 were initiates and 4 were transfers from Tampa 708. St. Petersburg’s first Exalted Ruler was Edward Lewis, 1911-1912, a wealthy industrialist in St. Petersburg and owner of Lewis Island, now known as Coquina Bay.
1923 – The northwest corner of 4th Street and 3rd Avenue South, now the site of the Chamber of Commerce, was bought around 1923 and a huge club house was constructed. It included a basement theatre seating 500, club rooms, and dining facilities on the first floor. There was a large meeting room on the second floor and rental rooms on the third floor for bachelor Elks. By 1926 the Lodge had 1,750 members (25% of the entire state membership), the largest marching band of the state, and the largest mortgage.
1936 the membership was down to 400, 200 of whom were dropped for non-payment of dues, and the clubhouse was given to the bondholders. With $10 in the bank, they bought the first three floors of an unfinished bank building at 735-737 Arlington Avenue North for $30,000, payable out of the rentals of a few small apartments on the third floor. That year the legislature authorized slot machines and they paid the mortgage.
St. Pete Lodge Celebrates it’s 25th Anniversary with a special meeting at which many dignitaries of the order were present. Very impressive were the numbers of congratulatory telegrams received. Telegrams were received from “President D. Roosevelt, Grand Exalted Ruler James T. Hallinan, Grand Secretary J. Edgar Masters and Governor David Sholtz, member of the Board of Grand Trustees.”
April 13, 1945 – The Lodge gathered at 8pm for a special Memorial Service dedicated to the memory of President Roosevelt. Grand Exalted Ruler Dr. Robert South Barrett who was vacationing in St. Petersburg delivered the eulogy. The Lodge Exalted Ruler Lee Hayman, presided and conducted the ceremony.
February 16, 1951 – The Lodge observed its 40th Anniversary along with a celebration of the 83rd Anniversary of the Order at their 735-737 Arlington Avenue Lodge. The Lodge initiated a large class of candidates on this occasion, the chairs were filled by Past Grand Exalted Rulers, who opened the Lodge, conducted business, initiation of candidates and closing of Lodge.
February 16 and 17, 1961 – The Lodge marks its 50th Anniversary with a two day celebration. Still located at 735-737 Arlington Avenue. On Friday February 17 the program began with a Memorial Dedication. A social program was held immediately following the Service. The Lodge itself opened its meeting at 8pm honouring all past Exalted Rulers. Principal speaker was Charles H. Peckelis, FSEA President. The speakers highlighted that among the many endeavours of the Lodge the sponsorship formation and financing of the Florence Crittendon Home as well as establishing the original Juvenile Court in Pinellas.
January 30, 1970 – Dedication ceremonies for the Lodge new home at 2675 66th Street North began at 4pm with District Deputy David Luikart presiding. Guest of honour was FSEA President Dr. Lamar Johnston and his wife at a 5pm reception followed by a dinner at 6:30pm. A dance followed with music by the Harvey Rogers Orchestra.
February 1 to February 11, 1986 – A seven day Diamond Jubilee Celebration (75 years ) was held by the Lodge. The Exalted Ruler was Anthony G. Turturiello .Events were planned for February 1, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 and 11th. In attendance at the Gala were Grand Exalted Ruler, John Traynor who gave the main address, also present were PGER’s George Klein and Robert Grafton.
March 7, 1992 – A mortgage burning ceremony was held at a dinner with PDD David G. Anderson serving as chairman. Guests included Past State Presidents Charles M. Pride, Victor O. Wehle, David Luikart, and Russ Jurgensen.
March 26, 1996 – First Woman Member of St. Petersburg Lodge, Evelyn Acker.
April 2004 – First Woman Exalted Ruler is elected, Patti J. Iverson.
November 3, 2011 – The Hon. C. W. Bill Young of Florida rose in the House of Representatives and asked the Speaker to recognize the 100th Anniversary of St. Petersburg Elks Lodge. Page E1998 Congressional Records.
November 11, 2011 – The Lodge holds the celebration of the 100th anniversary to coincide with the number 11/11/11, James Rasmussen is the Exalted Ruler. The Lodge had a catered dinner buffet by Banquet Masters and is entertained by the music of Dazzler Among many Congratulatory letters received are letters from Grand Exalted Ruler David R. Carr, Governor Rick Scott and City of St. Petersburg Mayor Bill Foster.
February 23, 2016 – The Lodge holds 7:00pm Lodge Meeting, Initiation and Election of Officers is held.. For the first time in the history of the Lodge the ER, Leading Knight Loyal Knight and Lecturing Knight elected are all females. The elected 2016-2017 Officers are: Joanne Matos – Exalted Ruler, Bonnie Barnes – Leading Knight, Cathy Shriver – Loyal Knight and Dawn Lieber – Lecturing Knight.
July 2016 Grand Lodge Convention in Houston TX – St. Petersburg ER Joanne Matos receives a plaque for the Lodge having finished 2nd Place in the Nation for All American Lodge Division 5 for the calendar year 2015-2016.
2016 – 2017 During Exalted Ruler Joanne Matos’ year 2016 to 2017, St. Petersburg Lodge continued its positive work in the community through its support of other local non-profits and the lodge continued commitment to the veterans and kids. The lodge and its members surpassed its previous year achievements and goals.
December 2017 Lodge volunteers put together 300 food baskets.to givefoods to the different organizations, the Lodge used $6,500 in Grants, The Grants used were: The Gratitude Grant, The Beacon Grant, the Anniversary Grant and the FSEA State President Grant. The balance of food that was still needed was donated by the many members of the Lodge to fill the 300 food baskets and the food pantries and that equated to well over $1,700 in food donations and gift cards for a total of $8200 donated to the community.
2017 – 2018 Under the direction of Exalted Ruler Bonnie Barnes, the lodge has continued its effort to ensure that the community we share is a bright and enjoyable place to live. ER Barnes is very proud to be part of an organization with such deep and lasting roots in her community, ‘the lodge isn’t just a local organization — it’s an institution that has become part of the community’s fabric for the last 107 years’.
February 16, 2018 Marks the date on which St. Petersburg Lodge 1224 first was installed back in 1911. During the last 107 years, the lodge has changed and evolved with the times, yet it has held onto its founding principles true to this day – continued expansive community involvement and the unending commitment to the veterans and kids
May 2018 St. Petersburg 1224 earns 4 Top Place Awards during the Florida Elks State Convention. #1 in percent of Membership Growth, #1 for Best Lodge Bulletin, #1 for Best Orientation and #2 for Best Website. In further news, during the month of May the lodge awarded two $1,500 scholarships. One went to Sophia Augyst-Laulette, a Senior at Boca Ciega High School who will pursue a degree in Nursing in the fall at State College of Florida. One went to Thailer Grohn, a Senior at Osceola High School will pursue a degree in Marine Biology at FL International University.
September 2018 Lodge donated $5,000 to this year’s Parade of Heroes event taking place in Washington, DC Nov 8-10. This event honors, recognizes and brings healing to those who sacrificed for our nation. It features outstanding bands, choirs and JROTC cadets from around the country paying a special tribute to our Veterans of WWII, Korean and Vietnam wars. The attending Veterans will also enjoy excursions to the monuments and memorials as well as engaging in other special activities planned just for them.
March 2019 The Lodge continues to support many charities. For example, it recently donated $500 to Lighthouse for the Blind, sponsored two teams for the FSEA Softball Tournament supporting our FL Elk Major Projects (Youth Camp & Children’s Therapy Services), have a team playing in and sponsoring a hole for the FSEA Golf Tournament, donated $500 to SE Guide Dogs.
July 2019 During the 2nd Grand Lodge 151st session during the Fraternal Committee presentation at the convention in St. Louis, the lodge proudly earned and accepted the title All American Lodge Division V through their hard work in our community and in the dedication to our veterans
June 2020 Under the leadership of Exalted Ruler Dawn Elaine Lieber and her Officers. St. Petersburg Elks Lodge 1224 has earned the distinct honor of being recognized by Grand Lodge as the 1st Place Winner for the 2019- 2020 All American Lodge Division V (1101-1500 membership). All American Lodges are selected in six divisions based upon membership size. This achievement was announced via the Grand Lodge June Newsletter. This is the second time that the lodge has eared this distinction.
Some highlights from St. Pete Lodge 1224 2019-2020 projects included its commitment to help and honor our veterans for their service and sacrifice. The lodge is active and very vocal towards those veterans that are homeless, veterans who suffer from psychosocial disorders and veterans that need social interaction with others. Many activities are held on a bi-weekly basis to meet these needs which include; a bowling program, dinner/karaoke nights, donation of blankets and clothing, gift cards, and substantial monetary donations to different C.W. Bill Young VAMC programs, just to name a few.
The lodge also continued its solid youth programs that include drug awareness programs held at the lodge several times a year, donations to different youth activities throughout the city of St. Petersburg and its surrounding cities, such as softball, baseball and soccer, as well at its commitment to its own youth and adult life skills programs. The Lodge also participated in the Elks National Hoop and Soccer Shoots and Scholarship programs.
Amongst some of the most recent donations that St. Pete Lodge made, $1000 to Bike MS: The Citrus 2020 Tour, $1500 to NW Youth Baseball and Softball, recognized 16 First Responders for their outstanding contributions to law enforcement, fire and medical rescues. Donations were also made to Southeastern Guide Dogs, had large toy and food drives at Christmas time, donations to the Music Therapy Programs of Music Sweet Music, Inc., monetary donations to several St. Petersburg hospitals, sent disadvantaged kids to the Elks Youth summer camp, donated school supplies and monies to several area schools and made donations to foster care programs, and many other programs throughout the city of St. Petersburg.
June 2020 St. Petersburg Elks Lodge PER Rudy Masi, Sr. becomes the 2020 -2021 Florida Elks State Association President. Masi joined St. Petersburg #1224 on August 23, 2005. Over the years Masi has served as Committee Chairperson in many lodge Committees, including but not limited to Board of Directors, House Committee, two-time President of St. Pete #1224 PER Association and Exalted Ruler twice. Masi has also served as WCD VP and DDGER and other Chairs within the WCD. Most recently Masi has been serving FSEA as Historical Commemorative Programs Liaison since 2009, FEYC Board of Directors 2017 – 2018, Present Member of FSEA Board of Directors and Executive Committee 2018 – 2019 and many other roles in previous years. 2019 – 2020 VPAL. Rudy’s 2020-2021 FSEA Motto is “Florida Elks – Warm, Friendly, & Active”! Masi is the second St. Petersburg Elks Lodge PER that has become a State President, last State President from St. Petersburg Elks Lodge was in 1952.
August 2020 The lodge donated 34 twin and 48 full size top rated, high quality mattress covers to be distributed among the veteran homes run by Lodge Esquire Carol Barkalow. Carol is one of the co-founders of Heaven on Earth for Veterans (HOEV), who are focused on providing high-quality, low cost, living space for veterans in need. The mattress covers will help keep the mattresses at the HOEV homes looking like new for years to come and they also act as a protectors with blockers, defending against bed bugs, body fluids, skin flakes, bacteria, dust mites and all other “mattress enemies”. Leading Knight Dan Masi was able to procure the mattress covers worth $2612.16 with the assistance of Chris Renfrow Founder of Charity Works.
The History of Lodge 1224 since its inception on February 16, 1911 was gathered from various public news publications starting in 1911- 2008, these publications were: the St. Petersburg Morning Times, St. Petersburg Times, St. Petersburg Evening Independent. Information from the USF Library, Elks Magazine and from stories appearing in the Lodge Spotlight monthly publications are also included. All information was researched and organized by May Graci, PLP, Lodge Public Relations.
