About us

About Our Lodge

Located on the famous Route 66 on Huntington Drive and adjacent to the Santa Anita Race Track (home of the one of the infamous handicap races of "Seabiscuit" in 1940), we are proud to offer visitors a great experience in Arcadia, CA.

Historically, the Arcadia Lodge was once owned by the Federal Government, and was called 'Ross Field'. During WWI, it was used as a balloon school for which closed shortly after the war in 1919.

Today our parking lot is on top of what was once the enlisted men's swimming pool

Elks Story

The moving spirit for the Elks was an Englishman named Charles Algernon Sidney Vivian, who was a successful comic singer and dancer in the music halls of London. In 1867, Vivian arrived in New York City to try his fortune.

With everything closed on Sunday because of New York City Blue Laws, a group of theatrical people began meeting for their own amusement under Vivian's leadership. A loose organization was formed to make sure the larder was well-stocked for these gatherings. They called themselves the Jolly Corks, a name derived from a trick introduced by Vivian in which the uninitiated purchased a round of refreshments.

When one of their members died shortly before Christmas in 1867, leaving his wife and children destitute, the Jolly Corks decided that in addition to good fellowship, they needed a more enduring organization to serve those in need.

On February 16, 1868, they established the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks and elected Vivian to head it. Its social activities and benefit performances increased the popularity of the new Order.

Soon there were requests for Elks Lodges in cities other than New York. The founders received the first local charter as New York Lodge No. 1 on March 10, 1871.

State and National elks organizations

California – Hawaii Elks Association (CHEA)

With 168 lodges in 19 Districts (including the Islands of Guam and Philippines), the California-Hawaii Elks Association CHEA serves disabled children, veterans, and our youth in wide range of activities. We are a proud organization with roots back to 1868 and thousands of Elks, who have not only helped millions of people, but are a soci

Major Project

The Major Project is the primary program which is overseen by a committee of the California-Hawaii Elks Association that pledges its commitment to addressing the unmet needs of children with disabilities throughout the states of California and Hawaii by developing a program of supporting services to aid these children at no cost to their families and without discrimination.

Youth Activities

California-Hawaii Elks support and sponsor various fund raising activities for kids of all ages including Scouting, Hoop Shoot, The Dictionary Project for 3rd Graders, Drug Awareness Program, Americanism Essay Contests and Scholarships.

Veterans

CHEA assists our country’s Veterans: as Elks we are committed to those that have fought for our freedom and the future of our country.

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Benevolent and Protective Order of the Elks

California – Hawaii Elks Association (CHEA)

Elks Lodges bring so much more to their communities than just a building, golf course or pool. They are places where neighbors come together, families share meals, and children grow up.

Elks invest in their communities through programs that help children grow up healthy and drug-free, meet the needs of today's veterans, and improve the quality of life.