Ulysses Masonic Lodge 435 Celebrates 100 Years

March 1st  2023 marked the 100th anniversary of Ulysses Masonic Lodge #435.  The lodge got it’s start when it was granted “dispensation” from the Grand Lodge of Kansas in October of 1922.  That first meeting in 1922 was held at the Hiatt Hardware Store on the corner of Grant and Main streets.  In 1928, the lodge moved to the newly build CD Hickok Building one block south, where they remained and met until 1993.  In 1993 they purchased a new property at 909 N. Joyce and continue to meet there.  Over the years, the masonic lodge has helped lay corner stones for sever-al buildings in Ulysses.  

In 1930, the Grand Master of Kansas was on hand to level the cornerstone at the Grant County Court House.   In 1970, the Grand Master of Kansas and Brother Bob Dole were on hand to level the cornerstone for the new High School.  In February of 2010, again the Grand Master was on hand to perform a double cornerstone levelling and the Bob Wilson Memorial Hospital and the Legacy Assisted Living Center.  

More recently, on March 4th 2023, the Grand Lodge of Kansas was convened by Most Worshipful Grand Master Micheal Johnson for the purpose rededicating the Ulysses Masonic Lodge.  The cere-mony was attended by several freemasons from across the state, as well as family members and vis-itors from the community.  

Over the last 100 years many of the members and Masters of the lodge have held prominent posi-tions in the community.  Our founding Master, Byron Fowler, was a successful farmer and dedicated Freemason.   Brother Fowler also served as a District Deputy Grand Master for the Southwest cor-ner of Kansas.  CD Hickok, who was the 2nd master of the lodge was a banker and an active busi-nessman in the community.  Richard Hefele taught English at the High School, owned a construc-tion business, and helped establish Bentwood Golf Course.  Jack Ford was Sheriff of Grant County, later a Highway Patrolman, and eventually became the Assistant Director of the Kansas Bureau of Investigation.