San Jose Elks History
The San Jose Lodge #522 was instituted December 9, 1899 after being granted a charter by the National Organization.
The beginnings of the Elks order itself dates to February 16, 1868. On that date in New York City, the son of an English clergyman, one Charles A. Vivan, originated The Jolly Corks, as the Elks was called then, and for some time thereafter. The first members banded together to practice their principles of charity, justice, brotherly love and fidelity to overcome the bitterness of the Civil War period and to help cement the bond of brotherhood among citizens of the Nation.
Since the year it was founded by a parlor group of 15 members, the Elks organization has grown to be one of the largest of its kind in the United States. The annual Membership report for the 2022/2023 year was 815,211 in the United States, with California having 85,821 members.
The significance of the order’s name came from a visit to Barnum’s in New York City where a mounted head of an American elk, with its graceful antlers, found what they had envisaged. National History records were searched and the description of the American elk not only interpreted the members sentiments, but suggested new ideals; fleet of foot, timid of wrong doings, keen of perception avoiding all combat but quick to run to the defense of the young, the helpless and the weak. The new organization was there for christened the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks of the United States of America.