So what’s in a Kelowna name?
Sutherland and other Mason names
HodgePodge by Charlie Hodge
D.W. Sutherland received a tip of the hat and heartfelt congratulations from members of his St. George’s Lodge 41 (Kelowna’s) recently acknowledging his lengthy role as the Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of BC & Yukon between 1926 – 27, during the local lodge’s subsequent100th anniversary.
Sutherland was Past Master during the 26th anniversary as Lodge’s Grand Master Mason back in 1926.
Born in Nova Scotia in1865 D.W. grew up there before becoming a popular schoolteacher. His various life skills put him in demand, and he moved to British Columbia relocating to the Fraser Valley for three years. However, Sutherland routinely heard of future opportunities “in the Okanagan” and adventured to Kelowna in 1893 becoming our first schoolmaster here. Sutherland continued to teach until he started operating the Kelowna Furniture Company.
In 1904 he was one of the local Justices’ dispensing judgements once or twice weekly. As a master mason in 1914 he was appointed Deputy D. Grand Master for the final six months (after the previous Brother resigned). Sutherland was then elected to the position of Grand Master of B.C. and the Yukon.
Sutherland never stopped his relentless work for the masonic lodge or the city.
Remarkably he was also a member of Kelowna’s first Municipal Council in 1905 and was either Mayor or Alderman in every year but one until 1929.
Sutherland died in 1931having served the craft and the community with distinction.
I have the honour of being a St. George’s Lodge 41 Master Mason member and am currently bestowed the rank of ‘Historian’. I’m rapidly learning that when one gains such a title it generally means you are simply learning on the fly and likely already know more than your mentor (or anyone else already, except for a few, who have mostly forgot what they did know).
If you’re a retired, hiding, mason historian I need your knowledge. I’m looking forward to delving into Lodge history more this summer so feel free to offer what information you may have.
The original St. George’s in Kelowna was a ‘Moon Lodge’ with meetings only held on full moons when the night sky allowed enough vision to travel.
Four times over the first half century of existence fires impacted or destroyed the Masonic halls of St. George’s 41 leaving the fraternity feeling like lost ships at sea. The organization rented various locations over the years before building a Masonic Hall in 1951, which they sold before purchasing their current facility downtown.
I’m pleasantly shocked at the strong bonds that connect St. George’s and the City of Kelowna – literally from the beginning. The City of Kelowna and the St. George’s Lodge were both officially established in 1905.
Aside from St. George’s sharing its birth year with the City of Kelowna, what is mostly snagging my attention is the Lodge’s significant influence or connections with the town’s history and growth. I never realized how many early pioneers were Lodge Brothers.
A mind boggling tally of Kelowna streets and roads bear the name of former George’s Lodge 41 members including Harvey Avenue, Haug Road, Haug Avenue, Boyce Road, Boyce Crescent, Knox Crescent, Burne Ave, Burtch Road, Chapman Place, Copeland Place, Craig Rd, Elliot Street, Craig Road, Crowley Road, Curtis Road, Curtis Street, DeHart Avenue, DeHart Road, Dickson Avenue, Dilworth Crescent, Dilworth Road, Gay Road, Gore Street, Kerr Road, Knowles Road, Lawrence Avenue, Lawson Avenue, Leathead Road, Martin Avenue, McTavish Avenue, Meikle Avenue, Morrison Avenue, Patterson Avenue, Patterson Road, Pearson Road, Pooley Road, Sadler Road, Trench Place, Truswell Road, and Weddell Place.
In addition, there are a bundle of parks, schools and other key community facilities that share the names of former freemasons such as Dilworth Mountain, and Pooley Creek. At least three schools, Dr. Knox, Raymer Elementary and DeHart School carry local Masonic connections.
Many current businesses or institutions were started by Masons and many no longer function as well, such as the David Lloyd Jones Home.
I likewise am fascinated how many masons have been involved in local politics. Over the years nine mayors, 50 councillors, four Freemen, and former premier W.A.C. Bennett joined the Kelowna brotherhood.
Sometime within the next few weeks City Council will be receiving staff input, information, and suggestions in a report on future naming or changing of streets, parks… In the past much of that was all done by council. I look forward to hearing how the planning of street names and parks, etc. will roll out in the future, and what the guidelines and policies will be to dictate that? Who decides who, where, what, when and why?
I can comfortably cast credible cause claiming my own fixation for connecting names with places was created by my Grandpa. He was a historian. Mega historian.
I can likewise blame my ‘collector’ (hoarding) addiction on him as well.
The museum in Penticton is named after Grandpa, though most likely it’s something that should be credited to Grandma. But that’s another story …not far away.
