The History of Russiaville Lodge #82
Russiaville, Indiana Lodge #82 received its Charter from the Grand Lodge of Indiana on May 26, 1853.
However, the number 82 was not originally allocated for Russiaville. This number was first assigned to
New London Indiana’s Lodge but unfortunately for the lodge, it was destroyed by a fire which led to
inactivity of many of its members. So with the permission of the Grand Lodge, a request was granted
to move the meeting location of New London’s still active members to Russiaville and thus Russiaville
Lodge #82 was born. It was on June 18, 1853, that Russiaville Lodge #82 elected its first officers.
The first man to be initiated into the new lodge was E.H. Johnson in 1856 who would later become one
of its Worshipful Masters. Brother Johnson was responsible for building the lodge’s very first lodge hall
in 1857 for a total cost of $385.00 which was considered a reasonable sum by the Brethren. A stock book
was established and a stock solicited in order to pay for the new hall. However, by 1859 the treasury was
exhausted and a campaign to collect dues became necessary. It was also during this period that many
people were moving out west so requests for demits were becoming numerous for the lodge.
On February 22, 1892, the lodge established a Building Committee and made plans for a new hall
which was agreed upon for the cost of $1,650.00. The new lodge was built and stood until Palm Sunday
April 11, 1965. It was at this time a powerful tornado swept through the small committee and destroyed
the lodge and all its records. So once again a Rebuilding Committee was formed but this time, they were
to look for a piece of land that would allow for more parking. Several different property sites were
reviewed before the membership voted to purchase the land where our lodge stands to this day.