History
History of the Fairfax Masonic Lodge
On March 14, 1922, 17 masons petitioned for dispensation from the Grand Lodge of California to start a new lodge. That dispensation was given and a first meeting was held on May 17, 1923. The Fairfax Community Church on Park Road in Fairfax was selected as the meeting place. On October 30, 1923, the charter was given for Fairfax Lodge #556 F&AM. By 1944, the membership was too large for the original meeting place so they moved to the upper floor of 19 Ross Avenue in San Anselmo.
At the end of World War II, the increase in membership resulted for the desire to have their own building. This was quite an endeavor because they were going to build with no mortgage and provide for no commercial rentals. The members had young families and money was tight. Many of the members worked for Pacific Telephone and Telegraph, PG&E, Western Pacific Railroad, or were in police work. The Marin County Sheriff and the Police Chiefs of San Anselmo, Ross, and Larkspur were among the members. At that time, the chief functions of the loge was degrees, an annual chicken barbecue at Russian River, and a big installation dinner at Star Hall at the end of the San Francisco Blvd San Anselmo. At every meeting a hot supper was served.
By 1952, Hap Banfield PM donated the lot where the temple now stands at 1122 Magnolia Avenue Larkspur California. Joseph Filippo PM, a general contractor agreed to show the members how to construct. Forrest T.C. Gist was selected as the architect. Jack Cazzaza was the interior decorator. The wives gathered together and called themselves Faxfairs. They provided meals for the members that worked to build the building. Later for years they worked to put on rummage sales and every possible way to raise money. They provided the kitchen appliances, floor covering, and many other improvements. Work was started by the members. Every evening after their jobs and all day Saturdays and Sundays they labored and learned. It was very difficult going because of the learning curve and more so the lack of money. Bill Bliss the treasurer had to implore the members for money and had many a sleepless night wondering how the building could be completed. They installed used plumbing fixtures, omitted light switches (the cut off switches were used to turn on and off lights), and tried every way to reduce the cost.
Finally on December 10, 1953, the first meeting was held at the new Temple at 1122 Magnolia Avenue, Larkspur. It would be nearly 50 years before the building fulfilled completion of all the original dreams of those members.
Brief History of the Faxfairs
When this lodge was being built by the Lodge Members in 1953, an informal meeting was called for the wives of the members, at the home of Sam and Beth Levin. The Ladies felt it would be nice to supply lunch for the workers. They did this from July to December of 1953.
After the building itself was completed, there were still going to be many things needed for the Lodge. The wives called a planning meeting, which was held on August 5, 1953 at the Casa Marin Store on 4th and B Streets in San Rafael. The name FAXFAIRS (Fairfax inside out) was chosen, and by-laws for the group were established. The chief purpose of this organization was to assist the Lodge with their building and furnishing projects. Later meetings were held here at the Lodge, and in 1959 the Faxfairs built a room in the Lodge basement for a meeting room, so as to not interfere with the Youth Group meetings.
Kate Bliss was the first President. Followed by Dorothy Darrington, Pat Smallman, Gertrude Gadow, Muriel Banfield, Joyce Thompson, and many others. The group had many ways of raising funds – such as Salad Luncheons, Fashion shows, bazaars, cooking and servicing dinners, rummage sales, social affairs such as Luaus, Western nights and others. Sometimes small, but always profitable.
Beginning in late 1953, and throughout the years, many projects were completed, the last Major one being the purchase of the Wolfe Range, stainless steel sink and counters, racks, dishwasher, floor covering and counters in the kitchen and dining room.
They also donated funds to the Temple Association and later to the Lodge Building Fund, which was started during the year that Ray Piombo was Master and Bob Newman Secretary.
There were a few years the the Group was not active, but during Merlin Johnson’s year as Master he asked the group to resume their Fund raising activities, which they did with Marcia Piombo as President and Peggy Johnson as Vice President. Ginger Franklin has also served as President.
The Faxfairs could not have done what they did without the donations from and the support of the Lodge Members and the many friends who patronized their functions.
What was left of the Faxfairs voted to disband in 1993, but the friendships there continue to be important in our lives, and we really did have fun doing all that work together.