ELKS OF THE WORD
ATLANTA, GA
In the year of 1905, Gate City Elks Lodge No. 54 was organized and was the beginning of Elkdom in Atlanta. Long before the gavel sounded, the fraternal sky was a glow with confusion, which swifty vanished before the principles of CHARITY, JUSTICE, BROTHERLY LOVE, and FIDELITY. The Elk’s home was first located on Fort Street and later at the Hanley’s Bell Street Funera
l Home; and still later it moved to 315 Auburn Avenue, N.E., Atlanta, GA 30303 (in the old historic Fourth Ward District). Here, it’s beautiful glass doors swung back on welcome hinges to greet all who entered it’s portals. Here one would find a quiet study lounge; the offices of the Secretary, Exalted Ruler, Treasurer, House Committee; the administrative offices; the Milk store; the Deluxe Membership and Buffalo lounges; the Forrest; the Assembly Rooms, and many other features for entertainment and pleasure. The membership has been numerous and graced by many noted Atlantans, such as those great characters who have served in the Chair as Exalted Ruler:
Bill Jones H. Broomfield James Beverly
W. Regan Troy White John Parkes
C.W. Weaver John Creswell Robert L. Atkins
John Hill, Jr. Johnny Morrison Paul Morant
Jessie Griffin Bobby Lattimore John A. Robinson
Charles W. Peters Albert McCrary Clarence Sinkfield
Wendell Wingo
Michael Rucker
Much credit is also to be given to those patriots who sleep the sleep that knows no awakening, and to those stalwart brothers who started in the infancy of the order yet kept the faith until the present time. From Gate City Lodge #54, many lodges and temples have been organized and inspired: namely Gate City Temple #43, Henry McNeal Turner Lodge #917, Georgia Washburn Temple #1023, and Eliza Turner Temple #432. Atlanta has six military units: Gate City Lodge #54 Antler Guard; J. Hanely Sports Unit; Eliza Turner Marching Unit; Elk Military Police; _____________ and ______________. Charity has played an important part in the program of the brothers. At Christmas time hundreds of baskets of groceries have been distributed to the poor and needy families and many articles of furniture and clothing have been given also. The Aidmore Children’s Hospital was supplied with wheel chairs and stretchers. Recently, the Atlanta Elks adopted Perkerson Elementary School of Atlanta Georgia. In addition, Gate City Elks Lodge #54 pledged a life membership in the N.A.A.C.P. and has offered many scholarships to deserving students of our community.
“The mills of the gods grinds slowly, but they grind exceedingly fine.” Our past has been most historical, and the present we have before us; and the future we hold to challenge.
