Kenosha News

That History Column: Kenosha’s Moose Club marks 100th anniversary

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BY DIANE GILES

dgiles@kenoshanews.com

If you’ve ever yelled “bingo!” chances are you’ve yelled it in the Moose Lodge at 3003 30th Ave.

Bingo is just one of the activities at Kenosha’s Moose Club, one of the city’s oldest benevolent societies, celebrating 100 years of existence this year.

The Loyal Order Of Moose, Kenosha Lodge No. 286, was founded on July 11, 1910, under the leadership of Kenosha Mayor Mathias J. Scholey, who served as the lodge’s first appointed grand dictator.

The post of “grand dictator” in the lodge is now called “governor.” Blame Adolf Hitler for the title change.

“Up until World War II the governor was known as the grand dictator, and after that they decided on governor,” lodge administrator Rich Smart said. “Probably because dictator wasn’t a good word back then.”

Benevolent societies

In 1910, there were no less than 16 different benevolent societies in Kenosha, including Masons, Knights of Pythias, Knights of Columbus, Elks, Eagles, Hibernians and Odd Fellows, to name a few.

In the days before Social Security, the clubs weren’t just an outlet for fraternizing. Following the industrial revolution, benevolent societies were a way for men to provide for the economic security of their families.

If some tragedy befell the head of the household, the fraternal brotherhood would provide, keeping the family out of the poorhouse.

This is true of the Loyal Order Of Moose, which has operated Mooseheart, a residential child-care facility in Illinois for 97 years, and Moosehaven, a retirement home in Florida for more than 88 years.

First gatherings

The Moose Club members first met at local rented rooms, including the old Kenosha News building on Sixth Avenue “A” and 59th Street.

A large old leather-bound ledger revealed that dues in 1923 were $2.50 every three months. The ledger contains the names of scores of members.

The lodge built a grand three-story building at 5516 10th Ave. in 1926, where they remained for 15 years. They rented out the first-floor offices and used the second and third floors for lodge activities. The third floor held a gigantic ballroom.

“This was back when the Elks had their place, the Eagles had theirs, and the Moose had theirs. There were a lot of fraternal organizations back then,” Smart said.

About this time, the club acquired the huge mounted moose head that hangs on the lodge wall today.

Depression takes toll

The failing economy of the Great Depression took its toll on the Moose Lodge and forced it to downsize.

“There was a time that the lodge was functional, but it really wasn’t. It was in limbo for a while. They lost that building,” Smart said. “Back then, they gave loans to members, and some defaulted on the loans.”

In 1943, the Kenosha Labor Association purchased the building for the Union Club. In 1994, Kenosha County purchased the property and rehabilitated the building for the Kenosha County Administration Building.

The Moose moved its operation to the landmark Robinson mansion on the northwest corner of 60th Street and 11th Avenue and later to a second building on the property on 59th Street, now home to the Spanish Center. The mansion was torn down in the 1970s.

Strong in the community

The club became a firm weave in the fabric of the community. During the polio epidemic, members purchased an iron lung and donated it to the Kenosha Hospital. They have also sponsored numerous athletic teams over the years.

Since 1977, the lodge has resided at its current home on 30th Avenue and now boasts a membership of 2,500, mainly from southeastern Wisconsin.

Over the years about 63 lodge members have served as governors to Lodge No. 286, including Smart, who served as governor in 1997-98. J. Steve Johnson serves as today’s governor.

The lodge will celebrate the milestone anniversary with a centennial party on July 10.

For more information on the party or the Moose Club, contact the lodge at 657-7831.

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