The History of Landmark Lodge No. 422

Landmark Lodge had its beginning as Hyde Park Lodge, in the Chicago suburb of Hyde Park. Even as the smoke and sounds of battles of a Civil War were besetting our nation, a group of earnest and dedicated Masons desired to unite in a Lodge in their own community. On August 26, 1863, the Grand Master granted a dispensation to members of Oriental Lodge No.33 and William B. Warren Lodge No.209 to form Hyde Park Lodge.

The first meeting was held on August 27, 1863 in a room of an Inn called Hyde Park House. The furnishing were sparse; straight-backed chairs, wooden benches along the walls, candles and oil lamps to provide illumination, a pair of wood-burning pot-bellied stoves to provide heat, bare floors with but an occasional carpet or rug, the building was drafty and rickety.

A Charter was issued and the Lodge constituted as Hyde Park Lodge No.422 (October 5, 1864). On October 19th, the Grand Master and his Grand Lodge Officers installed the Officers of this new Lodge. A new name was proposed October 10th 1871. The Grand Lodge granted permission at its October session to permit Hyde Park Lodge to be known as Landmark Lodge No.422.

Since that time the Lodge has gone through many changes and locations.  Our Lodge is a compilation of several other Lodges.  We merged with South Park Lodge which was founded on October 3, 1871. Then with Grand Crossing Lodge that was founded on October 7, 1986. Another merger occurred with Kensington Lodge which was founded on October 6, 1891 and with South Shore Lodge that was founded on October 11, 1921.  Yet another merger occurred when University Lodge, founded in October of 1922, joined our ranks.

The name of the Lodge was then changed to University – Landmark Lodge No.422. In May of 1975 the name of the Lodge was again changed to Triune Lodge No. 422. Then on October 8, 2005, our present name of Landmark Lodge No. 422 was adopted.

Each of the stars in our logo represents one of the Lodges that have merged to form our new Lodge.