The Masonic Tour Guide - Volume 1

By Daniel Hanttula

From a palace to a mysterious tomb, the first volume of The Masonic Tour Guide will take readers on an adventure of the must-see Wonders of the Masonic World, to the nearly unknown and almost impossible to find. Designed to challenge the seasoned traveler and assist the apprentice, this book offers fun and interesting ways to renew your commitment to The Craft, through visitation and Masonic intercourse.

Readers of the Masonic Tour Guide will uncover details on Masonic mysteries that have been rumors and argument-starters for centuries:
"Is Albert Pike really buried inside the House of the Temple?"
"What is the world's largest Masonic building?"
"Was one of the biggest Masonic libraries started with just $5?"
"What does the Titanic share with the Grand Lodge of NY?"
"What profane museums feature exhibits on Freemasonry?"

• Language: English
• Publisher: Lulu.com
• Release date: May 7, 2017
• ISBN: 9781365947254

Book preview

The Masonic Tour Guide - Volume 1

The Masonic Tour Guide

Volume 1: Wonders & Merriment

Daniel Hanttula

Past Master, Past High Priest, Past Illustrious Master,

Past Commander, 32°, Noble, Prophet and Past Most Illustrious

Grand Master of the Grand Council of Cryptic Masons of Oklahoma

2017

Second Edition

© 2017 by Daniel Hanttula

All rights reserved. Copyright under Berne Copyright Convention, Universal Copyright Convention, and Pan-American Copyright Convention. No part of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form, or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without prior permission of the author.

First Printing: 2017

ISBN 978-1-365-94725-4

Daniel Hanttula

[e-mail]

Special discounts are available on quantity purchases by Grand Lodges, Masonic research societies, educators, and others. For details, contact the author at the above listed address.

Dedication

For Saylor and Elizabeth;

May your hearts and minds always travel to

appreciate the wisdom of God, the strength of Mother Nature,

and the beauty of mankind.

Acknowledgements

While it is customary in any book to thank those who made it possible, I instead have to offer many apologies; to the men who I tirelessly needled for facts and information about their many Masonic endeavors as I furiously jotted down notes and updated sections of my book. There are no words to express how grateful I am because of your passion for the Craft and your patience with me. I was delighted to find so many men who willingly sat with me and shared what makes Freemasonry thrive in their hearts. I dare not enumerate these vast resources, as I would easily miss more than I could ever recall to personally recognize.

Second, I am grateful for the talents of the many photographers who contributed materials for this book. Evonne Barrier, thank you for ascending Pike’s Peak in my stead, you are one of the most beautiful women I know. Lisa Stratton, my dear lifelong friend; this book is only one of the many, many ways you have been a companion, guide and cheerleader. Worshipful Brother Owen Shieh, raised in Norman Lodge and Past Master of Honolulu lodge, words cannot express how you have inspired me; this book is as much yours as it is mine. For Brian Ragain's work on this and future volumes. To Brothers Fred Palmer, Shawn Eyer, John Bridegroom and Jerry Stotler; this fraternity is the only way we would have ever met and if that was the only joy it offered me, I would consider myself vastly richer for the gain.

Special thanks to Right Worshipful Bryan D. Bechler, Grand Recorder of The Grand Council of Royal & Select Masters of Washington for his detailed information regarding the cryptic capsule and to Karen Douglas, Director of the Kit Carson Home and Museum. Sublime thanks and my eternal gratitude to Robert G. Davis. You are, simply, a human Masonic Wonder of the World. Your wisdom and love for Freemasonry never seems to end and I thank you for your good counsel, your unbridled enthusiasm toward this project and most of all your friendship.

Finally, to Felicia Kerekes; thank you for letting me drag you into old buildings, talk your ear off about my progress, and listening to me as I ranted about the latest event I was researching. You are, before this book even hits the printer, my number one fan!

Preface

For years, American Freemasons have discussed exotic locations like the hidden treasure at Oak Island or making the journey across the pond to visit the United Grand Lodge of England. Recently, Dan Brown’s book, The Lost Symbol, added a few new points of interest on the East Coast to visit for the traveling man. Until now, there has been no single resource for all of the unique and fascinating locales that one can explore as a Freemason, yet there are thousands of markers, memorials and monuments scattered across our great nation, which lie unexplored or totally unknown by the average Freemason.

Some of the locations in this book are concealed by lack of an address, others by challenging terrain that makes them difficult to reach, while several have an annual pilgrimage, where Freemasons from all over the region join together on the journey to the specific destination. Regardless, it is my hope that this book will serve as the starting point of a lifetime interest in Masonic travel, inspire ideas that you can emulate in your local Masonic bodies, and provide one more way to learn to love The Craft as a whole.

For those reasons, in assembling this first volume, I realized that this will be a lifetime endeavor. To keep the initial attempt feasible, I am going to focus on the United States first and dedicate this first volume to the modern-day miracles (wonders) and light-hearted (merriment) aspects of the fraternity. My goal is to continue producing additional volumes until the series becomes a worldwide encyclopedia of Masonic destinations covering every aspect of the Craft.

I need your help…

With that in mind, Freemasons of the world, I call upon you. I plan to publish many volumes of this series, but I simply do not have the financial resources to travel the country and personally experience and document all of the different and incredible Masonic structures across the Earth. My original intent was to purposely labeled this Volume 0 to indicate that future volumes would be forthcoming and that this volume will eventually be re-written to include a comprehensive index of all the locations and events I will cover. In short, the alpha would become the omega; the first shall become the last. However, with help from members of the Craft, I have enough material to launch a competent first volume. And the system was so successful, that I want to continue to develop future volumes in this manner.

Please contact me at [e-mail] with information on Masonic structures and events that you feel are worthy of being featured in a guidebook such as the one that you now hold in your hands. This includes:

•Elaborate or unique lodge settings

•Special degree teams in your area

•Annual events

•Masonic landmarks

•Masonic cemeteries

•A unique Masonic degree or ceremony

•Special displays in your lodge or grand lodge

•Regularly scheduled temple tours

•Time capsules (other than cornerstones)

•Any type of Masonic world record

•Something you found personally Masonically significant

•Legendary Masonic monuments that no longer exist

Most importantly, as you begin to explore the many amazing opportunities that Masonic travel can provide; take someone with you. Bring a Freemason who has only recently been raised, drag out that old, grumpy Past Master that has done it all. Use this opportunity to ignite that Masonic spark in yourself and others. Bring back the experiences that you find to your own jurisdiction and find new ways to do the work we’ve been doing for hundreds of years in a newer, better and unique way. The ultimate personal goal of Masonic travel is to connect with like-minded men and the sublime goal of our order is to use that connection to improve upon what we do. And when you bring someone with you, you instantly double the chances for building these associations. That is why we are all here and that is the only way we will remain the largest, oldest and greatest fraternity in the world.

Introduction

Any successful journey should begin with a packing list, and Masonic visitation is no exception. Freemasons identify ourselves using traditions that may very well predate the written