We have a very interesting story.

Chartered July 9th, 1959

On January 23rd, 1959, Grand Exalted Ruler Horace Wisely granted dispensation to Businessman Fred Holt and 135 American citizens to form Elks Lodge #2103 in Carmichael. Institution of the Carmichael Elks took place on February 26th in the Encina High School Gymnasium.

The leaders of the new Lodge found an instant way to increase membership: The “Four Horsemen”, Westerner Dirve-In-Theater Manager Barnie Warrick, USAF Col. Bob Klotz, Chef Café owner George Santrizos, and Developer Pug Meredith started the Carmichael Elks 4th of July Parade and Celebration Committee. Also, on the committee was Jim Knudson, founder of Jimboy’s Tacos, Lodge Secretary Ord Bremmer, and pilot George McGinnis. Ord Bremmer and George McGinnis did a fly over and dropped parachutes with gift certificates along the parade route.

Elks membership had soared to 434 when Grand Lodge formally granted the Carmichael Elks Lodge its charter on July 9th, 1959. During 1959, the Lodge met in the back of a drug store on Fair Oaks Blvd. Children of Elks celebrated the first Elks Children’s Christmas Party in the rented storeroom. Several of those children grew up to become Elks themselves.

Membership soared to over 2000 members by 1975.

Barnie Warrick coordinated a huge Elks Bicentennial 4th of July Parade in 1976. The parade lasted over three and one-half hours and had over 250 groups. In the mid 1970’s, the Trav’l’n Elks got started.  The 1981 Fourth of July Parade welcomed home “Viet Nam Vets” and was on national television. The Lodge gained members in 1982 and the plans for a new ballroom became reality. Donations of time and money poured into the Lodge. During Exalted Ruler Bobby Porter’s year in 1982-83, the ballroom was built. 

On June 26th, 1982, the Lodge had its first event on the newly poured cement slab of the future ballroom, the wedding reception of current Leading Knight Jim Warrick and his bride Cathey.

In 1984, Gary Leander started the Renegade’s Breakfast. That same year, Bob Gales started the Elks Thursday Night Dinners. All through the 1980’s, the Lodge continued to grow until it reached 2900 members. Because of lodge activities and a positive presence in the community, the Lodge attracted new members and finally had a net gain in membership in 2007-2008. In 2009, the Carmichael Elks sponsored the 50th Annual Carmichael Fourth of July Parade. Grand Marshal was long-time Lodge Secretary Col. Bill Cridland, one of the charter members initiated at Encina High School in 1959. By 2018, the Trav’l’n Elks had over 100 members.  Thursday Night Dinners and the Renegade Breakfast now have over 30 years of operation. Also, today the Carmichael Elks 19th Hole Golf Club sports over 45 members who play in tournaments throughout the year. Because of interesting programs and events, the Lodge the Lodge has steadily maintained a membership of over 1300 for the last ten years.