Elks Building

Elks Start in 1908 

The Elks were the next major lodge group to get started in town. In 1908 elaborate institution ceremonies were held here to kick off the group and Elks members from all over the state took special trains to Dickinson for the gala event. Membership in the new local group grew so fast that they immediately began to consider a building project. They moved into their three story structure in 1912 on the corner of First Street and First Avenue West. The first floor shop space was immediately rented to the Roquette Brothers department store. After this business closed, Montgomery Wards used the space as a department store. When this company converted their local outlet to a catalogue store, it moved out and the ground floor of the Elks is now divided into various small shops. 
In 1979, after many years of planning, the Elks Lodge sold its club building to a group of investors so they would have funds to construct a new building north of Interstate 94. The lodge held its final stag in the old building on May 10, 1982, and shortly after moved into the new facilities. (Information from Centennial Roundup).