About

The Hamtramck Lodge was chartered on November 27th, 1951 by the Loyal Order of Moose, Supreme Lodge of the World.

There were 50 men named on the charter in ’51, which proudly hangs on the wall of our Social Quarters. Those men began with the ideal that no matter how big or small, we all have something to give to those less fortunate than ourselves.

Today, the Hamtramck Lodge still holds these ideals true. Our small Lodge not only contributes to
the Loyal Order of Moose charities, but also shows continued support to many other organizations and is a mainstay in the community.

These charter members and our charter class began a relationship with the community of Hamtramck back in 1951 that we are as proud of today as they were then. This commitment that has been carried on all these years is why the Hamtramck Moose Lodge has been dubbed “The Little Lodge with the BIG Heart”.

BUT WHERE DID THEY COME FROM?

In the late 1800′s, a man by the name of Dr. John Henry Wilson was looking to start a social organization for men. Dr. Wilson organized a handful of men in the parlor of his home and the Loyal Order of Moose was born. It’s intention was to form a string of social clubs that members could enjoy regardless of which ‘home’ lodge was theirs. After a few years, Dr. Wilson became dissatisfied with his young organization and left the order. All but dead, with only 2 lodges remaining and 246 members, the Order’s 247th member would be inducted on October 27th 1906, and change the face of Moose History.
James J. Davis saw the potential for an organization that could not only be a fraternal brotherhood, but could help to provide members with a benefit and protection safety net that was mostly non-existent in those days. Given the green light to proceed, and the new title of ‘Supreme Organizer’, Davis set out to turn the small organization on its last legs, into a driving force… and did he ever.
In just under 6 years, Davis’ and his colleagues turned the 2 Lodge 247 member organization, into a growing, fraternal giant. By 1912, the Loyal Order of Moose boasted more than 1,000 Lodges across the U.S. and southern Canada, with almost 500,000 members. Davis was appointed the first ‘Director General’, the fraternity’s chief officer, and began a program to pay it’s members ‘sick benefits’ when they were to ill to work, and starting laying the ground work for the ‘Moose Institute’, which would provide care, housing, and schooling for the children of deceased members.
Seeing the importance of moving forward with the Moose Institute, as he did with increasing the force of membership, Davis wasted no time in moving forward with his officers to make it reality. By late 1912, the Moose Supreme Council approved the purchase of land
on the west side of the Fox River, just outside of Batavia, Ill., about 40 miles west of Chicago. Just 7 short months later, on July 27th., 1913, the cornerstone was laid on the new child city of ‘Mooseheart’. At the time of this dedication, Mooseheart already had 11 residents, admitted earlier that month, and living in the original farmhouse on the site.
To this day, Mooseheart continues to help children with the same ideals set forth by James J. Davis nearly 100 years ago.

FOR A COMPLETE HISTORY OF MOOSEHEART AND MOOSEHAVEN – VISIT THE MOOSE INTERNATIONAL WEBSITE HERE