Bisecting this ridge, Route 2, originating in Boston of the Old Bay State, and extending across the northerly third of Massachusetts passes through the tiny Town of Florida and over Whitcomb Summit at an elevation of 2,800 feet.

Here stands, at the point of Route 2, the Majestic bronze memorial dedicated to all Elks who offered or gave their lives in defense of the American way of life and in this country in which we dwell. The winter of 1922-23, four years after the terrible conflict of World War I, was one of unusual severity.In the spring of 1923, an early thaw caused a break-up of ice in the Deerfield River which flows easterly parallel to Route 2.

A resulting ice jam flooded the highway. A sudden drop in temperature left a layer of ice upon the road's surface 10 to 12 feet thick. Since Route 2 was, at that time, one of the three main arteries traversing the state, it became necessary to blast a single lane through the ice so traffic could travel the highway. Richard Sears of Boston, an Elk and well known photographer, came to the area to take photographs for news purposes of this phenomenon of nature. Much taken by the beauty of the area, Brother Sears, at a meeting with Exalted Ruler Thomas Lawler of Greenfield Lodge #1296 remarked, "This area is so beautiful, how fitting it would be to have here a memorial in memory of Elks who lost their lives in the World War."

Taking up his suggestion, the officers and members of the Greenfield Lodge immediately organized a very active committee consisting of James B. Kennedy, Barney J. Michelman,later to become a Grand Lodge District Deputy, Exalted Ruler Lawler, Charles Fairhurst, and Walter S. Carson. The committee became very active and was instrumental in issuing an invitation from Greenfield Lodge #1296 to the Massachusetts elks Asociation to hold it's state convention at Greenfield in 1923.

The invitation was accepted and in preperation for the convention, a preliminary meeting of a Greenfield committee was held with officers of the Massachusetts Elks association and Grand lodge Trustee Charles F.T. McCue of Cambridge Lodge #839.

The members of the Greenfield lodge wanted an outstanding event to mark the occasion. After a brief discussion it was the unanimous opinion of all that a memorial, dedicated to the memory of the soldiers and sailors of Elkdom who gave their lives in the First World War, be erected. It was decided that the memorial be the replica of an Elk.

Since there were no funds available in the treasury of the Massachusetts Elks Association, it was decided to appeal to the various Elks lodges of the state for contributions. It was further voted that the president of the state association, John P. Brennen, meet with all lodges of the state to explain the situation and solicit appropriations. Through his diligent efforts, the state president, in the course of six weeks raised what,at that time,was a considerable amount, $6,000!

A site committee made it known, via local publications, that the Massachusetts Elks Association was considering the erection of a memorial. Various people owning land in the vacinity of Whitcomb Summit came forward attempting to have it placed in or near their business.

Bidding for the site became vary spirited. The issue was resolved when Charles H. Canedy offered to deed 15,000 square feet of land at the junction of Old Troy road and the Mohawk Trail to the Massachusetts Elks Association, free and clear of all encumberments. Mr. Canedy's generous offer was accepted, the deed was so drawn and subsequently corrected, since the state association was not an incorporated body, to have the property deeded to the Grand Lodge B.P.O.E. The title still rests there today.

The Gorham Manufactoring Co. of Providance R.I., which had been commissioned to cast the bronze elk, insisted on payment in advance. Members of the Greenfield Lodge committee signed a $6,000 note to finance the cost and recouped the amount by selling memorial watch fobs and pins for ladies' dresses at 50 cents per copy. Fifty women, associated with Elk members, sold the memorial replicas with such success that, not only was the note paid off promptly, but enough money was raised to pay all state convention expenses as well as dedication costs and return $1,800 to the Greenfield Lodge.

A substantial foundation for the granite base was necessary so members of the Adams Lodge #1335 and North Adams Lodge #487 decided to lay the foundation. Making a holiday outing of the occasion,these loyal brothers put in the base.

The granite boulder base of the memorial came from Chester and weighed 36 tons in it's original rough form before it was chisled to it's current shape. The permit to haul the base to the site described the allowed route to travel and the manner in which the hauling should be done. It was to be hauled,after midnight, by three trucks,one carrying the boulder,with one proceeding and one following as a safety precaution.

The permit arrived three days after two trucks had hauled the base to the site. It appears a bit of Elks' after-hours activity was involved in this case! It was a gala day when the bronze Elk arrived in Greenfield and was triumphantly conveyed up the Mohawk Trail to it's resting place on Whitcomb Summit. One of the four men who originally lifted the Elk into place, Dana B. Turner of Hadley, was later present at the 50th anniversary rededication.

The officers of the Massachusetts Association, having established June 16,17,and 18 as the dates of the state convention, sent invitations to the Grand Exalted Ruler, J. Edgar Masters, Past-Grand Exalted Rulers, Grand Lodge Committeemen, the Govenor and Lt. Govenor of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Members of Congress, mayors of all the cities of the state, selectmen of the towns of western Massachusetts and all Exalted Rulers and member of Elks Lodge of the state.

Preperations were made, by a very active committee of Greenfield Lodge #1296, for the housing of delegates and visitors to the state covention. No pains were spared to make the memorial dedication the outstanding Elks affair of the year. By the concensus of the committee in charge, the Elks had been placed facing the Mohawk Trail and is emerging upward from the beautiful Deerfield Valley with the Berksire Hills rolling northward to Vermont.

The inscription on the tablet attached to the base of the Memorial was graciously written by President Emeritus Eliot of Harvard University. Dedication Day, June 17, 1923 is best described by the words of the poet, James Russell Lowell, "What is so rare as a day in June? - then if ever come perfect days," for it was, indeed, a beautiful day that ushered in the dedication proceedings.

Some 10,000 or more people, in powerful or wheezy cars and buses, journeyed up Florida Mountain to Whitcomb Summit to witness the unveiling by Muriel, the beautiful nine year old daughter of Mr. & Mrs.Barney J.Michelman of Greenfield.

She, 50 years later, was present at the rededication ceremony, as the wife of the then western Massachusetts Grand Lodge District Deputy Grand Exalted Ruler, Maurice J. Carlson, of Northhampton Lodge #997.

Her brother, Ralph Michelman, was in the interim, the Exalted Ruler of Brattleboro, Vt. Lodge and later, District Deputy of the southern Vermont District.

The solemn and formal dedication of the Elk on the Trail was made by Grand Exalted Ruler J. Edger Masters of Charlerio, Pa., following the dedication memorial addresses by: Honorable Frank G. Allen, president of the Massachusetts state Senate;Honorable James Curley, Mayor of Boston, whose brilliant address thrilled the assembled throng, and Gov. John M.Parker of Louisiana.

On the stand beside the Elk were Past Grand Exalted Ruler John P.Sullivan of New Orleans; Past Grand Exalted Ruler James R. Nicholson from Springfield; Grand Lodge Trustee Charles F. McCue of Cambridge, and a contingent of Grand Army Veterans. They received an ovation. "America" sung by the audience, was followed by the unvailing of the memorial.

James P.Kennedy,president of the Convention Committee, presented the deed of the land and the statue to the Honorable John C. Brennan, State Association President. Grand Exalted Ruler, J.P.Masters, formally dedicated the memorial. The Rev.Ellsworth Shumaker of Adams gave the invocation and Grand Trustee C.F.McCue accepted wreaths, given by the Grand Exalted Ruler, the State Association, and subordinate lodges, and placed them at the base of the statue. The exercises were concluded with the sounding of Taps by the bugler, a three volley salute by the North Adams National Guard and the singing of the National Anthem by the entire assembly.

"The Elk is never forgotten, never forsaken". This beautiful tenet of Elkdom was never better exemplified for the ensuing years than by the diligent service of Edwin K. McPeck, Chairman of the Elk on the Trail Committee of the Massachusetts Elks Association and the lodges of Western Massachusetts District.

James J. Hourihan Jr., president of the Mass Elks Association 1972-73, appointed a committee chaired by Sebastian T.Ruggeri, later District Deputy Grand Exalted Ruler of the Western Massachusetts District, that voted to rededicate the memorial to "Our Brother Elks who offered their lives in all war and to peace."

Having received approval from officers of the State Association and Past Grand Exalted Ruler John E. Fenton of Lawrence, the rededication was performed as planned.

On May 27,1973 our beloved Brother Past Grand Exalted Ruler John E. Fenton rededicated The Elk on the Trail Memorial, "In memory of our Brothers who offered, or gave their lives in all wars, and to peace." "May this memorial continue to inspire the passerby with the deep sympathy that all Elks hold for their departed Brothers. I trust this memorial will stand the test of time and will serve well the purpose for which it was erected.

May the Elk on the Trail continue to stand as a dignified and appropriate memorial of these men who offered their lives that we may enjoy our freedom today."

Dedicated and rededicated by the highest officials on the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks as a tribute of all Massachusetts State Elks Association. May the Elk on the Trail, representing the great principles of Elkdom, stand as a shrine by the wayside to prompt travelers to recall the duty they owe to God, to country and to Mankind.

 

Since the writing of this article there have been several improvements to the Elk on the Trail Monument. The officers and members of North Adams Lodge #487 have volunteered their time and effort in cleaning the elk and returning it to it's original, natural bronze color and sealing it with a clear weather resistant finish. Also, the area around the momument has been cleared of brush and small trees to improve it's stature. With the aid of State Representative Daniel Bosley, historic marker signs have been placed along Rt.2 to bring the presence of the monument to the attention of passing motorists.

Since the 70th Elk on the Trail Ceremony, a memorial garden has been planted in front of the statue each year.

We would like to thank all who have worked diligently over the years on improvements to the monument and the area surrounding it, both members of the Order and non-members alike who graciously have given of their time and effort.