History of Cohoes-Waterford
Elks #1317
Granted a dispensation to
institute a new Lodge on September 16,1914 by the Grand Lodge, the Cohoes
Elks, with Henry Kahn as their Exalted Ruler were destined for greatness.
On July 15,1915 they received their Charter.
Under the direction of P.J. Spillane, efforts were made to secure a home
to house the meetings and affairs of the Lodge. He issued a report to the
"Lodge Committee" recommending the adoption of a lease from the
Harmony Company of its building at 93 Onieda Street, (currently the home
of E.T. Ruane American Legion Post), for the use as a Lodge for three
years until a proper Lodge could be built. It was adopted, and, during the
following Spring, Tom Noonan and E.M. Smith sought to lease the Hall of
the National Bank Building and connect a bridge or passageway to the
existing building, in order to have facilities for social affairs and
adequate Lodge space. This "Hall: was the Cohoes Music Hall.
Perry Fuller was the Exalted Ruler during 1921-1922, with Tom J. Connery
beginning a long term as Secretary. Membership was then around 750. At
this time a new Lodge was being designed and financed. The conerstone of
the new Lodge was laid in the spring of 1922, with James Kearney as the
Exalted Ruler. During 1922, which had been the height of excellence for
the Cohoes Elks, the Lodge members were deemed so proficient at the
Ritual, that they were invited by Elks Lodge #1 to install their officers
during January 1923, by their Secretary William Phillips.
The Twenties continued to be very active for the Cohoes Elks. Their new
Lodge, the only Lodge ever built to Grand Lodge specifications, was
erected on McKinley Square, and became the social hub of the area for a
great number of years. At its zenith, Cohoes Lodge #1317 boasted a
membership of 2020.
The new Lodge, an architectural masterpiece, was widely acclaimed for many
architectural grandeurs. The structure housed a large veranda, awning bay
windows, entrance canopy, bowling alleys and a large combination ballroom
and meeting room. In this room were three enormous crystal chandeliers and
a pipe organ that was purchased from the American Phot Player Company for
$4,500 in 1923.
Due to the destruction of their records in a storage warehouse fire,
little is known about the time span between the post depression period and
the Sixties.
Recent history brought its ups and downs, with several bright surges
during the Sixties and Seventies to revitalize, but a combination of
obstacles arose, including the inordinate rise in energy costs, which
turned what was once the "Showplace of Local Elkdom" into a
prohibitive building to maintain, and led to its demise.
Following an extensive search for a site for a new Lodge, construction
started in 1980 at 45 North Mohawk Street. The Lodge name was changed to
the Cohoes-Waterford Lodge #1317, and the new home was dedicated on May
22, 1981. With the new building came a resurgence in membership and
enthusiasm, as they were joined by over 200 new members to help in their
quest to make Cohoes-Waterford Lodge #1317 a full partner again in the goals of Elkdom.
In 1995, construction was completed on an addition to the Lodge, which
enlarged its size by 25%. In these few short years of the new Lodge they
have raised and donated over $300,000 to worthy causes of the community,
the state and the national projects.
In September of 1999 the Lodge again rose to the occasion as one of its
PDDGER, Paul A. Galarneau was installed as President of the New York State
Elks Association.
