I have a few "Masonic Pennies" issued by various lodges.
This is one made for members of the Berkeley California RAM Masonic lodge.
Masonic Penny, Berkeley, California, RAM Chapter 92
Obverse:
BERKELEY CHAPTER No 92 R.A.M. / CALIFORNIA
University of California Greek Theatre
Reverse:
HTWSSTKS Masonic emblem
CHARTERED APRIL 18, 1906 / ONE PENNY
Bronze, 32mm
I bought this item on
ebay because I lived in Berkeley while attending the
University of California.
The RAM (Royal Arch Masons) are a specialized Masonic lodge, and most make these
tokens for members.
I was curious about the date on the token, April 18, 1906, and found an old book
about the 1906 state RAM convention which had been copied and placed on the internet.
Proceedings of the Grand Chapter of Royal Arch Masons of the State of California at
its Fifty-Second Annual Convocation
Held at the Masonic Temple, City of San Francisco Tuesday, April 17, A. D. 1906
And terminated on Wednesday, April 18, A. D. 1906
The Berkeley RAM chapter was founded in 1905, but the charter date was set as the
last day of the convention.
The first day of the convention proceeded normally, this was a business meeting and
not a "secret" lodge meeting.
The second day...
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It is the unexpected that always happens; certainly so far as the events of April
18, 1906, in San Francisco are considered.
The unexpected announced itself at 5:13 a. m., as the drowsiness was passing at the
conclusion of the night's rest. The earthquake and its horrors have been too often
described for repetition here. It passed, and, after a somewhat hurried breakfast,
the undersigned commenced that never-to-be-forgotten circumambulation, with the
Masonic Temple as the objective point.
With no street cars running, the only resource was an express wagon to the Creek
Route boat, and after an anxious passage we were landed, although far north of the
boat's accustomed slip. By this time, 10:30, the fires were burning in a hundred
localities; a Santa Fe train of cars was burning on the Belt Railroad, within five
hundred yards of the Ferry Building. Our only chance to reach the Temple was by
going around the line of fire, north or south. Taking the southern route, we
pressed forward, reaching Valencia street before pressing west to Laguna; thence
north to Geary street; down Geary to the Starr King Building, where our offices
were located. It was then 2:30 p. m., and by that time martial law had been
virtually declared; lines formed, guards stationed, and all access to Masonic
Temple prohibited.
------------------------------------------------
The San Francisco Masonic Temple on Post and Montgomery, built in 1861, was one of
thousands of buildings destroyed in the earthquake.
The convention members held a short meeting at the Starr King building, then the
military authorities asked them to vacate the building as nearby buildings were burning.
The Berkeley RAM chapter closed in April 1968 and merged with the Oakland chapter,
probably due to loss of members.
Posted 10/11/2014 09:22 am
