1890: The Tacoma Elks Lodge (#174) is established in 1890, 22 years after the formation of the national Elks organization in New York City.
In the years between their founding and the construction of the Elks Temple, the Tacoma Elks relocate a handful of times to larger facilities in the city.
1915-16: The Tacoma Elks build an opulent, grand new “temple,” together with the Spanish Steps, located between Broadway and Commerce streets, across from what then was City Hall and the Northern Pacific Railroad headquarters––a most prominent site known as the Point of Power. The Elks hold the grand opening of the new temple in February 1916.
1937 & 1940: Two additions are constructed on the west side of the original structure to house a new kitchen, handball courts and bowling alley.
1950s: Because of soaring membership, the Elks start looking and planning for a new location for a larger, more modern lodge. Having previously acquired the Allenmore Golf Course in the south end of the city, they decide to construct their new lodge on that property.
1965: The new lodge is completed near Allenmore Golf Course (present-day site of Walmart). The Elks move out of their old 565 Broadway location into the new lodge. At this point, the Tacoma Elks chapter #174 is said to have had the largest membership of any Elks in the nation.
1966-1971: Tacoma City Directories list the old Elks Temple as vacant. Wealthy Tacoman, George Russell (president & GM of the Tacoma New Tribune), purchases the old Elks Lodge in 1968 and makes plans for the building’s next life.
1971: George Russell re-opens the old Elks Temple as a catering space, featuring a new eatery called the 565 Restaurant (in the old Elks dining room on the Broadway level) and an entertainment venue (in the ballroom) that opens onto the Spanish Steps. Many high school graduation parties and company parties are held here.
1971 & 1972: The Red Rose Cotillion debutante ball is held in the ballroom. This is a special event for African American high school girls from the area.
November 1975: Tacoma’s gay community holds its first-ever event, the Barony Ball, in the ballroom. They continue to hold events there through 1986.
1975-76: The Tacoma-Pierce County Bicentennial Commission opens an office in the building.
1977-85: Tacoma Handball Association Club operates the handball courts. George Cobean and Michael O. Byrne each serve as president during this period.
1979: Toastmasters International hold meetings in the building.
1981-82: A movie theater opens under the management of Al Kephart and Seymour Johnson (J & J Productions), and Seymour Johnson, on his own, establishes the 565 Dinner Theatre in the building. (George Russell’s 565 Restaurant continues its operation.)
1981-1985: The Kiwanis Club and Lions Club meet here regularly.
1985: Local theater producer and actor Nick Credgington partners with George Russell to form the 565 Broadway Restaurant and Dinner Theatre.
1986: George Russell dies, the 565 Restaurant and Credginton’s dinner theater cease operations, and the old Elks Lodge goes dark.
1988-90: Scenes for the Nick Nolte-Martin Short movie, Three Fugitives, and Kevin Kline movie, I Love You to Death, were filmed in and around the old Elks Temple.
1989: Ron Zimmerman, a Bay-area real estate mogul and true character, acquires the old Elks Temple. Zimmerman, who was born in China and lived there has grand plans for the place, including a massive tower addition to be built on the lot next to the lodge. Bad luck, bad health, bad temper and bad press prevent anything from happening.
And for the better part of 30 years, the building sits empty…
…though not really empty. Graffiti artists do wondrous things throughout the building, and untold numbers of high school kids, homeless people and curious onlookers explore its vast spaces, and gradually the place is stripped of most of its fixtures and architectural flourishes. A centrally placed ceiling light fixture remains in the top floor lodge room – and it is now a prized piece.
2017: After a decade of negotiating, waiting and planning, McMenamins begins its renovation of the old Elks Temple.
April 24, 2019: McMenamins Elks Temple throws open its doors with a grand opening celebration!