Notes from the Cabin in the Sky, 10-3-2025

Masonic labor is purely a labor of love. He who seeks to draw Masonic wages in gold and silver will be disappointed. The wages of a Mason are in the dealings with one another; sympathy begets sympathy, kindness begets kindness, helpfulness begets helpfulness, and these are the wages of a Mason.
- Benjamin Franklin

Fraternal orders form a cornerstone of Comstock culture, and the Masonic Order brings considerable weight to our region's history. In fact, the namesake of Storey County, Capt. William Storey, lies at rest in the Masonic section of the Virginia City Cemetery. John Mackay himself was a member of Escurial Lodge #7. Examples abound.

Escurial Lodge #7 was formed in January of 1864, thus making it older than the state of Nevada itself. Those were the halcyon days of the Comstock, and Masonic lodges flourished throughout the area, from Silver City (where Amity Lodge is still active) through multiple lodges in Virginia City. As the Comstock boom waned and the Civil War drew to a close, Escurial was the only lodge to survive.

Escurial Lodge is known far and wide as "The Masons on the Mountain," and this week will convene under the leadership of Worshipful Master Kenn Cordy to bestow a Master Mason degree in Gold Hill rather than at the Masonic Hall in Virginia City. The history of the Masons on the Mountain is as follows, as recorded by the Nevada Grand Lodge website.

"... there was no available hall in town after the fire of Sept. 8th, and since it was desired to hold a meeting to devise plans to carry on the work of erecting a new temple, it was suggested to Grand Master Robert W. Bollen that a meeting be held near the top of Mt. Davidson. Brother Albert Hires, worshipful master of Virginia Lodge No. 3, when informed of the suggestion, asked: "What shall be done to transact the business of the lodge and provide for the destitute, if that meeting is held at the top of the mountain ?" He was told, "Call the lodge together on the mountain, waiving all signs and ceremonies." He accordingly issued a call to the brethren to foregather near the top of Mt. Davidson, at the foot of the granite peak which surmounts the summit. The area selected was a natural amphitheatre surrounded by high crags. In preparing the plot for the meeting, rough boulders had been selected as stations for the Worshipful Master and Wardens, and the enclosure was lined with rough rocks which served as seats for the brethren. An altar was built of native rock in the center of the improvised lodge room, before which the brethren might approach the East. From a flag pole erected in years gone by, the white flag of Masonry emblazoned with the square and compass and letter G, floated in the breeze."

On October 4th bright and early, Escurial Lodge will convene and transport via the V&T Railway to Gold Hill, where our candidate will be received in due form. Should you encounter Masons about town this weekend, do say hello. You will find that the true secret of Masonry is a warm friendship and love for God and your fellow man.

Signing off, AG