Evanston and Freemasonry, 150 years of Unity

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 andthe 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 and 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: 
http://evanston150.org/volunteer/calendar

W. B. Wojtas

SW, Wayfarers Lodge #1001

JD, Evans Lodge #524

Contributed content for this article: 

(http://www.colorado.gov/dpa/doit/archives/govs/evans.html)

(Courtesy of the Evanston History Center and www.Evanston150.org)