The History of the Valley of Spokane Scottish Rite

In the Territory of Washington, Freemasonry began in 1858 and Masonry became establshed in Spokane Falls around 1880 When settlers first arrived in the area. At that time, there were about 350 residents of Spokane Falls. Applications for Perpetual Charters were received by the Supreme Council from the following bodies in Spokane Falls: Occidental Preceptory No. —-; Cascade Chapter No. —-; and Albert G. Mackey Lodge No. —-. The Valley of Spokane Falls was chartered on August 12, 1890.

By July 1, 1891 the Valley of Spokane Falls had 53 members and its bodies ultimately resided in the historic Masonic Center on Riverside Avenue. Coincidentally, the “Falls” was dropped from Spokane Falls in 1891 and the city officially became “Spokane”.

By 1911 the valley was comprised of 424 members and rocketed to 2,076 members by 1930. After 1930, the Supreme Council discontinued bi-annual reporting growth by Valley and transition to State wide reporting. Research is under way to provide insights into the ebbs and flows of membership in our Valley. Today the Valley of Spokane has 300 members and is the third largest Valley in the State.

NOTABLE MEMBERS OF OUR VALLEY

The esteemed members of our Valley listed below, have either been identified by current members of our Valley based on their personal knowledge of the individual or they are included based on a review of the historical archives. It is important to refelct back on these men and all other members of this Valley as they were responsible for laying the foundation of what we have today. We must always remain vigilant and be good stewards of our members, finances and facilities.

  • Bowen was an active member of our Valley from 1972-2013. He served as our General Secrearty for 16 years. He very civic minded and served the Spokane community in many ways. He was past treasurer of Spokane County Republican Central Committee and was the recipient of the Exchange Club "Golden Deeds" award. He headed Spokane United Way, United Way Campaign, United Way of Washington, Spokane Red Cross, Western Area Advisory Council of the American Red Cross, Shrine Hospital, Spokane Central Lions Club, Seattle American Institute of Banking, Spokane Mental Health, Business Development Corporation, Spokane International Exchange Council, Deaconess Hospital Foundation, Liberty Lake Property Owners, Rose Croix of Scottish Rite, and Red Cross of Constantine. In addition, Bowen served on the boards of Spokane Chamber of Commerce, Expo'74, Spokane Lilac Festival, Washington Dental Service, Washington Dental Service Foundation, Girl Scout Council, Deaconess Hospital, Empire Health Services, Spokane Unlimited, Inland Empire Zoological Society, and Washington State Association of Mental Health. He was a member of Lafayette Lodge #241 in Seattle WA. He passed to the cellestial Lodge in 2013.

  • MIlton was an active member of our valley from 1977-2015. He was drafted into the U.S. Army in February, 1942 and was honorably discharged in December, 1945. Mike was a 50 year member of Spokane Central Lions Club, serving as president and zone chairman. Mike was a longtime member of Spokane Masonic Lodge #34 and a Valley of Spokane Scottish Rite 33rd degree Mason. He was a founding member of the Scottish Rite Children's Language Disorder Center and emeritus member of the Board. As an El Katif Shrine Greeter he delighted in giving tours of the beautiful Shrine Hospital He passed to the celestial Lodge in 2015.

  • Ed was an active member of our Valley from 1954-2023. He was instrumental in establshing the Early Life Speech and Language Center and was a founding board member. He was a business owner and a member of Northhill Lodge #210. Ed also served on the Board of Govenors for Shriners Childrens Spokane and served in the Shrine Palomino Patrol, served in the Adelphi Chapter Order of the Eastern Star, a Charter Member of the Ancient Algerian Order of the Montana Sheep Herders, and as a proud Army Veteran he was Charter Member of the Shrine Legion of Honor. He passed to the celestial Lodge in 2023.

  • George was an active member of our Valley from 1987-2024. He was an American lawyer, author, and politician. As member of the Republican Party, he rose to national attention upon his election to the U.S. House of Representatives in 1994, when he defeated Tom Foley, the speaker of the house, in Washington's 5th congressional district. He served five terms and left the House in 2004, when he mounted an unsuccessful bid for the U.S. Senate. He was a member of Spokane Lodge #34. He passed to the celestial Lodge in 2024.

  • James was an acvitve member of our Valley from 1977-2018. Jim began his lifelong career as a professional land surveyor. He worked and partnered with many associates in several local firms. He started James F. Benthin & Associates in 1984. Following his retirement in 2004, James F. Benthin & Associates went international in February of this year, surveying for the US Embassy, Nairobi, Kenya. Jim was an Elected Fellow, of the American Congress on Surveying and Mapping, a member of the National Society of Professional Surveyors; Western Federation of Professional Land Surveyors; Land Surveyors' Association of Washington; and past member of the Washington Council of Civil Engineers and Land Surveyors. He was a member of the Board of Governors, NSPS; State representative to West Federation; President, Ethics Chairman, Registration Chairman, Membership Chairman, Business Practices Chairman, Legislative Committee Chairman all in Land Surveyors Association of Washington; Inland Empire Chapter of L.S.A.W.-President and all committees. For years, Jim helped in writing, grading, and proctoring the land surveying examination. Contributing to his community played a vital role in his life. A past director of the Spokane Lilac Festival Association and a member of The Wishing Star Foundation; current member in many Masonic associations; Associate member, Associated General Contractors; member Spokane Area Chamber of Commerce; member, Momentum '88; member Better Business Bureau; and a member of the National Federation of Independent Businesses.
    A Past Master of Manito Masonic Lodge number 246, Jim also served several years as Lodge Secretary and spearheaded a revival of Lodge membership and participation. He also served as Lodge Chaplain. Jim was a 33 degree Scottish Rite Mason serving twice as the Personal Representative of the SGIG. A charitable man, Jim was a ounding member of Spokane Scottish Rite Charities. A "mover and shaker" in Spokane Masonry, Jim was a member of the Board of the Spokane Masonic Temple Foundation where he served as Treasurer. Jim was willing and able to serve Spokane Masonry in any position that utilized his acute financial and business capabilities. He was a member of Manito Lodge #246. He passed to the celestial Lodge in 1995.

  • James was an active member of our Valley from 1995-2021. His military career lasted 26.5 years, attaining the rank of E-9 (Chief Master Sergeant). He was a Veteran of Korea and Vietnam; plus spending time in French Indochina, England, Scotland, Laos, Cambodia, Turkey, Greece, Cyrus, etc. –usually in a 'clandestine' role. He was an Air Commando. He attained many awards, among which were the Air Force Commendation Medal with 1st & 2nd Oak Leaf Clusters; Air Force Meritorious Service Medal; Airman of the Month at Geiger Field and again in Los Angeles. What was admired the most was his unselfish contribution to our Nation. He was very active in the Newport Masonic Lodge No. 144, where he served as Worshipful Master twice. He was also active in the Grand Lodge of Masons in WA, serving on various committees, - Grand Chaplain three times, Grand Marshal twice, Grand Historian, and Deputy of the Grand Master in District No. 30. He received his Scottish Rite 33rd Degree Cap and Award in Charleston, SC in 2001. This degree and being a 50 plus year member of the Masonic Lodge made him the most proud. He was also a member of the Spokane Valley Scottish Rite Bodies, serving as Personal Representative of the Valley of Spokane, 2000-2007; El Katif Shrine, an honorary member of the Order of the DeMolay, a Charter Lifetime Member of Grand Mound Historic Lodge No. 3, a Life Member of Bannack Historic Lodge, Montana and Life Member of Zillah Chapter #111,OES, Newport. He passed to the celestial Lodge in 2021.