By Cris Alarcon, RAM – Blue Lodge, Sac 40. April 13, 2026
Hiram Lodge No. 25 Revives Gold Rush Traditions in El Dorado
EL DORADO COUNTY, Calif. — In the rolling foothills where gold fever once defined daily life, Hiram Lodge No. 25 is once again reflecting the spirit of the California Gold Rush—not through relics in a case, but through living history.
Founded in the early 1850s during the height of the California Gold Rush, Hiram Lodge No. 25 stands among the earliest fraternal institutions established in the Mother Lode. Like many lodges of its time, it was formed by miners—often referred to as “49ers”—who carried Masonic charters west from established lodges in the eastern United States.
A Brotherhood Built in the Diggings
Unlike the more urban lodges that would later rise in cities like San Francisco and Sacramento, Hiram Lodge developed a distinctly working-class identity. Historical accounts show its members were miners, carpenters, and lumber mill workers—men who labored by day and sought order, fraternity, and moral structure by night.
Nickalous Battaini, a current member, said the lodge has never strayed far from those origins.
“Hiram has always been a blue-collar lodge. Members worked at the lumber mill. They were carpenters, merchandise guys, miners. So we wanted to go back to the roots.”
That commitment to heritage is not symbolic—it is tangible.
Dressing the Part of History
Eight years ago, a lodge member and history reenactor proposed an idea: restore the visual identity of Gold Rush-era Masons. The effort resulted in meticulously researched attire that predates even the earliest blue jeans associated with Levi Strauss & Co..
Members now don period-accurate clothing for special events, including:
- Cravat ties
- Waistcoats
- Canvas work pants
- Square-toed boots
The clothing reflects the practical, durable style of miners rather than the formal regalia often associated with later Masonic tradition.
Recreating a “Tent Lodge” in Coloma
Each year, Hiram Lodge extends its historical interpretation beyond its meeting hall, staging a public “tent lodge” at Coloma—the site where gold was first discovered in 1848.
The reenactment illustrates how early Masons held meetings in temporary camps, often under canvas, as they followed gold strikes across the Sierra foothills. These traveling lodges provided stability and brotherhood in otherwise transient and often chaotic mining camps.
The event serves both as an educational experience and a tribute to the adaptability of early Masonic life in frontier California.
A Region Shaped by Masonry
Hiram Lodge’s story reflects a broader pattern across the Mother Lode. Between 1850 and 1856, more than half of California’s first 101 Masonic lodges were established along the 150-mile gold belt. The Grand Lodge of California, founded in Sacramento in 1850, helped formalize these early efforts just months before California achieved statehood.
Historians note that these lodges often served critical civic roles. In many mining towns, they provided burial services, dispute mediation, and a sense of order in communities where formal institutions were scarce.
As one historical summary from the Masons of California notes,
“Freemasonry has been an integral part of California for more than 150 years,”
particularly during the volatile early years of state formation.
From Pony Express Trails to Modern Parades
Hiram Lodge’s physical location in El Dorado places it near routes once used by the Pony Express, further anchoring it in the region’s frontier legacy.
Today, the lodge remains active in community life. Members march in local events such as the El Dorado Christmas parade and participate in civic traditions, including cornerstone ceremonies for public buildings.
Tom Golden, reflecting on the lodge’s enduring relevance, praised its continued visibility:
“So proud of my fellow 402nd District Brothers of Hiram Lodge. And glad to see the Grand Lodge showing that the beginnings of California Masonry are as important as the larger lodges in the big cities.”
Preserving the Past by Living It
While many historic institutions rely on archives and preservation alone, Hiram Lodge No. 25 has taken a different approach—immersing itself in the past to keep it relevant in the present.
In doing so, it offers El Dorado County residents more than a glimpse into history. It provides a living connection to the men who built the region—not as distant figures, but as working hands in canvas and dust, bound by fraternity in a rapidly changing world.
— ADDENDUM of local Free and Accepted Masonic history —
Key Historical Figures
(Chico Leland Stanford Lodge No. 111): A seminal figure in California history, Bidwell was an early pioneer who organized the first American immigrant group to reach California. He served as the first elected Worshipful Master of Chico Lodge and was a prominent member of Butte Lodge No. 36. Beyond his Masonic life, he founded the city of Chico and was a representative in the U.S. House of Representatives.
(Oriental Lodge No. 144): Known as “the orator who saved the nation,” this Unitarian minister and Freemason is credited with keeping California in the Union during the Civil War through his powerful speeches. He was a dedicated abolitionist and raised over $1.5 million for the United States Sanitary Commission. Notably, he deliberately joined a Masonic lodge that was primarily Chinese, reflecting his commitment to racial equality.
: A military commander during the Mexican-American War, Stevenson was a pivotal figure in the formalization of California Masonry. He served as the first Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of California when it was established in Sacramento in 1850.
: The legendary sheriff of Calaveras County, Thorn was a Mason who became famous for capturing the notorious stagecoach robber Black Bart.
| Name | Notable Role | Lodge Affiliation |
|---|---|---|
|
Levi Stowell
|
Carried the original charter to CA | California Lodge No. 1 |
| 3rd Governor of California | Tehama Lodge No. 3 | |
| 8th Governor & Railroad Tycoon | Michigan City Lodge No. 47 | |
|
Bull Meek
|
Legendary Wells Fargo agent | Gold Country Masons |
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Frederick L. Sorsabal
: A distinguished member of El Dorado Lodge No. 26 (Placerville), Sorsabal served as a high-ranking Grand Lodge officer, reaching the position of Junior Grand Warden. In the California Masonic “Grand Line,” officers typically progress annually through these positions toward becoming Grand Master.
-
George H. Blanchard
: A prominent attorney and legislator who practiced in the Placerville Masonic building in the late 19th century. While primarily known for his legal and legislative career, he was a key figure in the lodge’s local leadership during a period when the fraternity was deeply intertwined with California’s state governance.
- Legal Giants: The historic Masonic Building on Main Street (built in 1893) housed attorneys like
Charles Swisler and George H. Blanchard, both of whom served in the California State Legislature.
- Grand Master Visits: As one of the oldest lodges in the state, Placerville No. 26 is a frequent stop for sitting Grand Masters. For example, in 2020, Grand Master John E. Trauner (from nearby Madison Lodge No. 23) visited to perform a cornerstone ceremony for the El Dorado County Sheriff’s Office.
- Main Street Temple: The brick building at 419 Main St was constructed with 85,000 bricks from Sacramento specifically to house the lodge and its influential members.
- The Placerville Gathering Place: After 1981, the lodge moved to a modern 14,000 sq. ft. facility, continuing to host major regional Masonic events that draw Grand Lodge officers from across the state.
is a prominent figure in El Dorado County and California Masonry, notably serving as the Master of Placerville Lodge No. 26.
-
: Barker is credited with leading a significant resurgence of this lodge. Under his leadership as Master, the lodge saw its membership increase by nearly 50 percent in a year and a half.
- “Save Our Lodge”: He championed the slogan “Save our lodge,” focusing on community visibility, strengthening fraternal bonds, and improving the lodge’s financial health.
- Modernization: He has been a vocal advocate for approaching Masonry with modern “commitment and energy,” ensuring that historic lodges remain relevant and active in their local communities.
- Sheriff of El Dorado County: He served as the Sheriff of El Dorado County and is a founder and past president of the El Dorado County Sheriff’s Posse.
- Chief of Police: His law enforcement career includes serving as the Chief of Police in Folsom and the Chief of Police at San Francisco International Airport.
- State Appointments: In 2000, he was appointed by Governor Gray Davis to the California State Lottery Commission, where he eventually served as Vice Chair.
- Advocacy: He is a strong supporter of THRIVE, an emotional support group for El Dorado County Sheriff’s Office personnel and their families, emphasizing the importance of employee mental health and welfare.
he is active in the broader Gold Country Masonic community. He is often involved in joint events and officer practices shared between Placerville #26 and Hiram #25, which frequently collaborate due to their close geographic proximity and shared heritage.
Masons of California +1- Traveling Charters: Many miners arriving from the East brought “traveling charters” from their home states, such as Indiana and Wisconsin, to establish temporary “campside lodges” in the Sierra foothills.
- Establishment of Order: In April 1850, the Grand Lodge of California was officially established in Sacramento, just months before California attained statehood.
- Civic Leadership: Early Masonic members were pivotal in local governance; nine of the 48 delegates who signed the original California State Constitution were Masons.
Modern Operations
- Community Involvement: The lodge remains active in El Dorado County, participating in local events like the town Christmas parade and conducting cornerstone ceremonies for civic buildings, such as the El Dorado County Sheriff’s Office.
- Location: It currently meets at 6201 Pleasant Valley Rd, El Dorado, CA.
