In the spring of 1986, a group of very determined men got together and decided they would like to start a Moose Lodge in the Gladwin, Michigan area. Within a few weeks they had almost 100 potential members signed up. They held several meetings at the Hotel Bar in Gladwin and, on September 19, 1986, they formed their charter with Mooseheart.
Without a home to conduct meetings, they used the Sage Township Hall which at that time was located on Pratt Lake Rd. In the summer of 1987 they purchased the corner store on M-18, located six miles north of Gladwin and known as “Peck’s Corner”.
They purchased this on a land contract with nothing down. After two unsuccessful years battling with the Health Department over an acceptable septic system, they sold that building and purchased the building and the property where the current Moose Lodge is located. This property and building was purchased again on a land contract, using the $5,000.00 profit from the sale of the previous building as a down payment.
The new building was an old store, garage and gas station. With a lot of hard work from the members they passed all their inspections and moved onward to obtain their liquor license. After being turned down on the fourth trip to Lansing, with the help of the State Director and the persistent members, they obtained the liquor license in September of 1993.
On Memorial Day in 1996 there was a fire that destroyed the Lodge right down to the foundation. With very little insurance money and a lot of hard work, again, from the members, they restored what is now the Gladwin Moose Lodge.
The Gladwin Moose Lodge has gone through many changes, and has come a long way with membership. The men currently have approximately 415 members and the Women of the Moose have approximately 145 members and both are growing. The Lodge also has a very active Legion with 65 members.
The Lodge has always been known as “the friendliest Moose around.” With its great leadership both past and present, and the ever growing membership, it hopes to continue to be “the friendliest Moose around.”
We can’t wait to meet you on your next visit to “the friendliest Moose around”, located in the heart of Michigan.
Fraternally yours,
Members and Officers of
“the friendliest Moose around”
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IMPORTANT NOTICE: The Loyal Order of Moose is a private organization. All activities and events referred to on this Web Site and the Moose newsletter are available to members in good standing and their qualified guests only. This Web Site is for informational purposes with proprietary information intended for members only. General information is available to the public at large, but should not be construed to be a solicitation for membership. This Web Site is an initiative of Gladwin Moose Lodge No. 287, and is not sanctioned by the Loyal Order of Moose, Moose International or any subsidiary thereof. All logos, trademarks and servicemarks pertaining to the Loyal Order of Moose and/or its programs or degrees are copyrighted © by Moose International, Inc., Mooseheart , Illinois . |
