Since its founding on April 21, 1896, the Salem Elks Lodge has given back more than $17 million to the Salem community in charitable donations and in members’ volunteer time
Starting in 1896, the lodge met in the Independent Order of Odd Fellows hall at Court and High streets. The lodge’s first building, was located on the east side of Liberty St. The lodge then constructed a building on State Street (pictured) which was used from 1925 to 1993.
The Salem Elks Lodge has counted among its members over a century of Salem residents including civic leaders, business leaders, agricultural leaders, and more. For decades members and their guests have enjoyed evenings at the Salem Elks Lodge attending various functions such as dinners, dances, charity balls, New Years Eve parties, and more. And generations of area kids have memories of a bright Christmas thanks to the Salem Elks Lodge Christmas Charities. During the Summer our lodge has a regular presence at the Salem Saturday Market, there have been many Saturdays where people come up to us and share they're memories of the Salem Elks Lodge and how we have impacted their lives.
The Salem Elks Lodge Today.
Today the Salem Elks continues to build unforgettable memories for our members and to forever change the lives of those we aid through through charitable projects, community service activities, and civic engagement. For the last several years the lodge as focused on providing scholarships to high school seniors, provide homeless veterans with assistance as they transition into stable housing, and supporting our service members and their families.
In addition to our charitable activities the lodge also maintains a 38 space RV park that is open to Elks Members at our current property located at 2336 Turner Rd SE (Across the road from Garmin and the Oregon National Guard). All 38 spaces have full hookups for water, electricity, and sewer. We also have an on-site dump station for use by Elks members. Our facility also has multiple rooms which can be rented for private functions and events for members and their guests.
Framed copy of House Concurrent Resolution 29 at the Salem Elks Lodge
In 2021, during the COVID-19 Pandemic, the Salem Elks Lodge observed its 125th Anniversary of serving the Salem Community. The lodge and its commitment to Salem was recognized by both the City of Salem as well as the Oregon State Legislature. Mayor Chuck Bennett of the City of Salem issued a proclamation declaring April 21, 2021 Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks Day in the City of Salem. And the Oregon State Legislature unanimously passed House Concurrent Resolution 29 honoring the Salem Elks lodge.
The lodge held a banquet to observe the Anniversary in August 2021 with lodge members, district Elks leaders, and state Elks leaders in attendance. The signed ceremonial copy of House Concurrent Resolution 29 was presented to the Salem Elks Lodge by Representative Raquel Moore-Green and Oregon State Elks Association President Rick Shipley during his official visitation to the North Central District hosted at the Salem Elks Lodge in November 2021.