King Solomon Lodge No. 5
A continuing legacy since 1881 of fraternal brotherhood, honor, and Masonic history in Tombstone, Arizona.
Free and Accepted Masons in Historic Tombstone
King Solomon Lodge No. 5 Territorial Lodge, F&AM, is proudly located in Tombstone, Arizona, and has held lodge in historic Schieffelin Hall since 1881.
Established on June 4, 1881 as Solomon Lodge F&AM under dispensation by the Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of F&AM of California, the lodge was later chartered on March 25, 1882 as King Solomon Lodge No. 5 F&AM by the Grand Lodge of F&AM of the Territory of Arizona.
A Boomtown Year of Prosperity and Turmoil
1881 was a year of prosperity and unrest in Tombstone. Miners, prospectors, ranchers, and business people from every walk of life were drawn to the western boomtown, each hoping for the chance to make their fortune.
The streets were alive with people, horses, carriages, wagons, and supplies. Beneath them, miners worked shafts rich with ore while ranchers, cattlemen, and merchants helped build the foundation of a rapidly growing town.
That same year, Cochise County was established with Tombstone as its county seat. Tensions rose after an attempted stagecoach robbery involving silver bullion, events that helped set the stage for the infamous Gunfight at the O.K. Corral.
The First Steps Toward a Lodge
At the same time Tombstone was making western history, a group of prominent citizens, all Freemasons, gathered to establish a fraternal organization that would outlast the chaos around them.
March 14, 1881: Twenty-seven Master Masons met at the Pima County Bank in Tombstone at the corner of 4th and Allen Streets.
Challenge: The group needed a dispensation from the Grand Lodge of California.
Leadership: Wells Spicer was elected chairman, and Thomas R. Sorin was appointed secretary.
Wells W. Spicer
Wells W. Spicer was a journalist, prospector, politician, lawyer, and judge. His career placed him near two consequential events: the Mountain Meadows Massacre proceedings and, later, the hearing involving the Earps and Doc Holliday after the Gunfight at the O.K. Corral.
After lengthy discussions, the petitioners pursued a request for dispensation from the Grand Lodge of California. The request bore the names of fifteen Master Masons, along with twelve additional Masons who desired to assist in establishing a new lodge in Tombstone.
The petitioners requested the name King Solomon. Because California already had a King Solomon Lodge on its rolls, the dispensation was issued in the name of Solomon Lodge, Under Dispensation. The dispensation took effect on June 4, 1881.
Dispensation and Charter
The Grand Master, Most Worshipful Brother Samuel C. Denson, appointed Brother Wells Spicer as Master of the lodge, Brother Benjamin Titus as Senior Warden, and Brother Thomas R. Sorin as Junior Warden.
Because the dispensation was issued during recess of the Grand Lodge, it was only valid until the next meeting in October 1881. At that time, the charter was denied and the dispensation was returned with additional requirements. The dispensation was then extended until October 1, 1882.
The group later approached Arizona Lodge No. 257, now Arizona No. 2 in Phoenix, and received the recommendation needed to proceed. Thus, twenty-seven Masons were listed as members of Solomon Lodge in the dispensation.
King Solomon Lodge No. 5 remains part of Tombstone’s living history, preserving tradition, brotherhood, and Masonic heritage in the heart of the Arizona Territory.
