Est. 1854 Photos: Volcano "Masonic Cave" Current Weather: Current and Five-Day Outlook An Apron Relic of the fire which destroyed the first Lodge building. | Volcano Lodge No. 56 F. & A. M. Volcano, California Main Street & Charleston Road Lodge Phone(to leave a message): (209) 296-7782 Stated Meeting: First Thursday of month at 8PM. Dinner Precedes Stated Meeting, at 7PM. The original Lodge didn't have a fire escape. The outer doors are made of iron, both upper and lower stories. The original ground floor was a place to safely house the horses. Volcano has an annual picnic usually held on the First Sunday of October at the "Masonic Cave" site (less than five minutes from the Lodge Hall). The Masonic Cave got its name from the first meetings there to organize a petition to the California Grand Lodge for a Volcano Lodge Charter. The picnic is open to members and guests. If anyone would like to share in the festivities contact any number below or send an email to our Secretary or the Cave custodian, "The Caveman". (Link in the left column.) The ground floor has been converted to a dining room, seating a maximum of 80. A stag dinner is usually held at seven P.M. on the First Thursday of each month. A Stated Meeting for members follows at eight P.M.Visitors and guests are welcome. Call (209) 296-7782 to leave a message for reservations Someone will get back to you, usually within a week. Or contact your Lodge Secretary. He can give you the numbers to call. The cost of dinners are reasonable. The Volcano Lodge is a truly historic California Lodge. It was established in 1854 under grant of dispensation, receiving its Charter dated May 4, 1855 at the Grand Lodge Annual communication. For a long while the Lodge was shared with Odd Fellows Lodge #25. The Odd Fellows still hold an annual meeting on the Second Saturday of September. Odd Fellows members and guests are always welcome to visit. Contact (209) 296-7782 to leave a message or contact the Local Odd Fellows Lodge who have the number that you might call. to make arrangements. The Lodge Room is presented approximately as it was originally. The original gavels found at the stations of the principal officers were made from ivory cue balls. They have subsequently deteriorated and are now part of the archives. The carpet has been replaced like that of the original. Heat is still supplied by the cast iron stove and the lighting is by kerosene lamps. The brass chandelier arrived by ship around the Horn of South America. It was said that the cost of transportation exceeded its purchase price. There is some doubt as its origin; England or Massachusetts is quoted.The chandelier is raised and lowered having chains, pulleys and counterbalanced weights. The Lodge building is constructed of thick quarried limestone rock. The ceiling joists above the Lodge Room are plated with copper sheeting and upon this was placed a thick cover of sand to guard against any "burnout" attempt. Without opening a door all the ventilation originally came from two small rectangular openings above the Master's station. (Note photo facing east.) The exterior doors are made of iron and are barred from the inside. Making the building a stronghold reflected the turbulence of the times, principally Joaquin Murietta's raiding. (The photos that follow came from Ed Greenberg's website now abandoned.) Volcano Lodge Room
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