The
City of Evanston is Celebrating its 150th anniversary this year and
unknown to most Evanstonians, the city has an important Masonic tie. That big granite building located on the
corner of Lake and Maple (1453 Maple), and the organization it represents has been
a part of Evanston history, since its beginning. Brother Dr. John Evans, friend of Abraham
Lincoln and former Governor of the Colorado Territory was a Freemason, but it
goes much deeper than that. In honor of our
City’s sesquicentennial celebration, Let’s take a look at Evanston’s History
and put together its important Masonic ties.
In 1853, a group of men looking for
the perfect site for a new Methodist-affiliated institution of “sanctified
learning” were persuaded that the marshy lands along the Lake Michigan
lakefront of Ridgeville Township were exactly right. The board of the newly
chartered Northwestern University purchased the first 340 acres of this land from Dr. John H. Foster in 1853 and
began making plans not only for the university but for the town that would
surround it. That town would become the City of Evanston.
Evanston, named after University
founder Dr. John Evans, was first platted in 1854. By 1855, Northwestern University
welcomed its first students. One
interesting fact about Evanston was that for a long time, it was a “dry”
city. Often this was attributed to the
Women’s Christian Temperance Union of Evanston, but it isn’t. It dates as far back as to the beginning of
the newly chartered Northwestern University.
That same year (1855) the university amended its charter to establish a
four-mile limit against the production or sale of alcoholic beverages. When the town of Evanston was officially
incorporated December 29, 1863, the board of trustees voted to create an
ordinance enforcing the four-mile limit around the community.
In these early years, clean water
and easy transportation were the main concerns and
the residents focused on creating
necessary institutions for the growing community. Evanston was in a prime location, just north
of Chicago and had access to the City’s infrastructure. The Evanston water works began operating in
1874, giving residents access to fresh lake water. Drainage ditches and
railroads were constructed to facilitate movement within Evanston and a commute
to Chicago. In 1873, Evanstonians voted
unanimously for a tax to support a free public library. The volunteer fire
department was organized in 1875. And, Gross Point Lighthouse was constructed
in 1874 to bring security to the lake shore. The City of Evanston was moving
forward in its first fifty years.
The city’s Founder, Dr. John
Evans, the second governor of the Colorado Territory from 1862-1865, was born
in Waynesville, Ohio, on March 9, 1814. In 1838 Evans graduated with an M.D.
from Clermont Academy. Evans was instrumental in the creation of Indiana's
first insane asylum and school for the deaf. He moved to Chicago where he
helped found Mercy Hospital, edited the Medical and Surgical Journal, obtained
a professorship at Rush Medical College, and founded the Illinois Medical
Society. Evans also researched the cholera epidemic of 1848 and 1849 which was
instrumental in developing congressional quarantine laws to prevent the spread
of this disease. Investments into the Chicago & Fort Wayne Railroad and the Chicago & Evanston Railroad made him not only wealthy, but allowed him to become politically influential. By 1852 John Evans was on the Chicago City Council and founded the Illinois Republican Party where he not only ran for Congress but also became a friend of Abraham Lincoln. Dr. John Evans was also one of the founders of Northwestern University, where he chaired the Board of Trustees until his death in 1897.
Dr.
Evans was Raised to the sublime degree of Master Mason at Attica Lodge #18
(Attica, In.) and was the first Worshipful Master of Marion Lodge #35 (During
Dispensation) in Indianapolis, which was chartered on 28 May 1848. He was also a very active Royal Arch Mason and
Knight Templar in Indiana and later in Colorado. He lived Freemasonry wherever he went and was
always active and involved with the local organizations.
One
example of his Masonic leadership was while in Colorado, as the Territorial
Governor, Dr. Evans and 16 of his Brethren petitioned (1863) to create Union
Lodge #7 in Denver Colorado to bring Harmony to Freemasonry there, which at the
time was in discord. Dr. Evans
contributed much to Freemasonry in Colorado as well as to politics and industry
in and around Denver. As tribute, Evans
Street in Denver was named after John Evans for his part in stabilizing the
area with his great leadership. (www.unionlodge7.org).
Dr. Evans’ touched many lives in many locations through his leadership
and great generosity.
During
his time living in Evanston, before becoming the Territorial Governor of
Colorado, he was quite the popular man and had many friends and neighbors. He was well respected and remembered even
after leaving to take on his new position.
On October 17th 1866, a dispensation was granted by the Grand
Master of Illinois for the organization of a new Lodge in Evanston. This Lodge, his friends and Brothers decided
to name, Evans Lodge, in honor of his life and his achievements. On December 1st, 1866, the first
meeting was held at The Wightman Hall located at 618 Davis Street. On April 3rd, 1867, John Evans
attended his first meeting of Evans Lodge #524.
He became a regular and very generous supporter of the lodge, often
donating sums, which during that time were substantial, to save the Lodge from
financial difficulties. This included paying the petition and degree fees for a
local a friend and clergymen, which at that time was $50.00.
On the
2nd of November in 1867, Evans Lodge #524 of Free and Accepted
Masons (Illinois was not AF&AM yet) was constituted. The ties between the City of Evanston,
Northwestern University and the Freemasons was set is stone forever. Dr. Evans maintained his relationship and
membership with Evans Lodge even while living in Denver and until his death in
July of 1897.
A.W.
Gage (PM Evans Lodge #524) wrote in the “Lore of Evans Lodge #524” that, “The
funeral of John Evans was the largest ever held in Denver; the wealthy and
those in rough clothing rubbed elbows there; negroes who always found in him an
unfaltering friend were there in great numbers.
His body lay in the State capitol building. It was then escorted by the militia to the
family residence where religious services were held. It was then taken in charge by Union Lodge #7
and preceded by Colorado Commandery #1 conveyed to Riverdale Cemetery where he
was Masonically buried by his Lodge of Ancient Free and Accepted Masons. “ (27
May 1947)
The History of Dr. Evans and
Evanston are much more detailed than the few paragraphs outlined in this
article. His achievements were vast and
touched many locations in the 19th century United States. His achievements earned him many honors and
namesakes, such as the town of Evans, Colorado, Mount Evans in Clear Creek
County Colorado, Liberty Ship 1712 – SS John Evans (WWII EC2 type cargo ships)
as well as Evanston IL and Evans Street in Denver. His Masonic ties are unquestioned and his
leadership in industry and politics is well established. He was a great architect in all aspects of
his life as indicated by his story. He
left much to the posterity of future generations in what he built physically
and speculatively through his works. John Evans, A true Mason on all counts.
Dr. Evans left his footprint here in
Illinois forever and his name lives on at Evans Lodge #524 in Evanston,
Illinois 116 years after his passing and 150 years after the incorporation of
the City he built, his Light still shines on the North Shore of Chicago.
As part
of the sesquicentennial celebration Evans Lodge #524 located at the Evanston
Masonic Temple will be included in the local festivities with a presentation of
their most prized possession, The Cup of Brotherly Love.
One of the most historically riveting facts
about Evans Lodge #524 is that the Lodge is the proud owner of this mystic and
beautiful piece of silver artwork, a sort of "holy grail" of Freemasonry.
The Cup of Brotherly Love has been in the proud hands of Evans Lodge #524 since September
7, 1929 when Norman B. Hickox formally presented this beautiful silver cup to
the Lodge, to commemorate his son being raised to the degree of Master Mason.
The Cup of Brotherly Love was launched on an
amazing journey around the world - traveling always from West to East, by
land, sea or air, and always in the custody of a Master Mason. The cup visited
more than 150 host lodges as it circled the globe. On May 24, 1958, a
homecoming celebration was held at Evans Lodge to commemorate the return of the
cup to our lodge.
After receiving the gift of the Cup in 1929,
Evans Lodge members had written a proclamation, addressed to the Craft, which
has been translated into French, Spanish, Portuguese, German, Swedish, Dutch
and Italian. The letter is as follows:
"TO THE GL0RY OF
THE GRAND ARCHITECT OF THE UNIVERSE:
To All and Every our
Most Worshipful, Right Worshipful, Worshipful and Loving Brethren of the Most
Ancient and Honorable Society of Free and Accepted Masons throughout the World
to whom this message may come.
GREETINGS: Know you that
upon the Raising of his son to The Sublime Degree, a Brother has given to the
Lodge this marvelously wrought token of Gold and Silver; Receive from us this
Cup, befittingly Dedicated to the Mothers of all Men and Consecrated forever to
Brotherly Love and Affection between all Mankind, but more especially our
Brethren in Freemasonry;
Drink you, all our
Brethren, from this Cup in acceptance of the Fraternal Wishes for your Health,
Prosperity and Continuance, of all whose lips have touched its brim; Inscribe
upon its golden surface as you choose, your Name, Time and Place in the endless
Circle of Travel, and write upon a Page in the Book such Message as you
consider appropriate, posting to us by mail directly, news of your actions;
Hand on to our Brethren
toward the East, Where and Whom as you may Desire, this Symbol of the Glorious
and Mystic Tie, giving it Safe Conduct by the Hand of a true and trusted
Brother, that it may Completely Encircle the Whole World and Return to us
within Seven years, bearing Witness to the Universality of our Beloved
Fraternity; Blessed be all you who shall Welcome this Cup of Brotherly Love and
Expedite its Travels in Foreign Countries, and may your Names be forever
Honored among Masons. With our Brotherly Love and Affection,
The Brethren of Evans
Lodge No. 524, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, Evanston, Illinois, USA.
The
doors of the Temple open at 7pm on May 7th anf the evening will
include a presentation of the Cup by Brother Bill Wojtas, Curator of the Cup
and building tours given by members of the Lodge. Details of the event can be found here:
W. B.
Wojtas
SW,
Wayfarers Lodge #1001
JD,
Evans Lodge #524
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