Elks Temple Building or BPOE Grand Ballroom

Introduction

Text-to-speech Audio

The Wenatchee Elks Lodge formally began at an organizational meeting on February 10, 1910. Meetings were held in Neubauer’s Department Store located where the Wenatchee Convention Center and Performing Arts Center are located now. In 1917 it was reported that an excellent building site was available on the Northeast corner of Orondo Street and Chelan Avenue. A contract was awarded to W. Willis of Seattle in September, 1921, for approximately $80,000. Heating, plumbing, and ventilation were installed by Wells and Wade for $20,000. Furniture and interior furnishings cost in excess of $50,000. Dedication was held on November 28, 1922. The new building of three stories on Chelan Avenue and four stories on Orondo included an expansive lobby, secretary’s office, lounge and reading room, a gymnasium, and ballroom each two stories high. The lodge room suggested an architectural design of Italian Renaissance. The walls were finished in gray and orange with green hangings.

Images

Elks Building with flags and bunting hanging from building to celebrate Independence Day. Photo is taken from right front at corner of Orondo and Chelan Street and is dated 1922..

Interior view of Wenatchee Elks Lodge # 1186 B.P.O.E. lodge. This images shows the third floor ballroom. Taken by Surry Studio in 1922 at the building's opening.

A crowd gathered to watch the Elks Building blaze on January 1, 1958.

The mid-century modern facade of the BPOE Elks Building on the corner of Chelan and Orondo Avenues at it's completion in 1959.

Backstory and Context

Text-to-speech Audio

December 31st, 1958 there was a large party to celebrate the new year. By the morning of January 1st, 1959 the Elks Club was engulfed in flames. Although there was a thorough investigation, the cause of the fire was never determined but it was suspected to be from a burning cigarette left behind.

Together with a large insurance settlement and the contributions of members, the Elks club established a plan to fully renovate the burnt out shell of their previous lodge house and make it into a first class club complete with gym, showers, steam room, swimming pool elevator, lounges, a ballroom and 3 full service kitchens including a dumbwaiter connecting those 3 kitchens. The west and south sides of the building were fitted with a mid century modern facade and the entry was moved to the west side of the corner.

After being suspended by the Benevolent and Protective Order of the Elks of the United States of America--the Wenatchee Elks Lodge No. 1186's members decided to disband in mid-August after 94 years in Wenatchee and 83 years in the same building. The building was sold in 2006 to a nightclub owner and developer. The building saw several different nightclubs come and go over the years.

In May of 2014, Jeff and Leanna Kurpuis purchased the building with a vision to bring some new life and use to the downtown property. After 2 years of repair and restoration, the project is now complete which included taking 1 full service kitchen out and changing it to a business operation with offices. Another level with offices, kitchen and conference room. A full basement for team members working there to use the gym facilities and fully restored swimming pool. The last project was the grand ballroom which included completely gutting and restoring the catering kitchen, bar area, 4000 square foot maple dance floor, lighting, bathrooms, and seating. The grand ballroom is capable of having up to 350 guests.

Sources

Polk Directories. Wenatchee, WA. 1907-2006.

BPOE Grand Ballroom, Accessed July 15th 2020. bpoegrandballroom.com.

Image Sources(Click to expand)

Wenatchee Valley Museum & Cultural Center Photography Collection # 98-34-99

Wenatchee Valley Museum & Cultural Center Photography Collection # 005-28-7

Wenatchee Valley Museum & Cultural Center Photography Collection # 005-74-5

Wenatchee Valley Museum & Cultural Center Photography Collection # 88-108-99

Wenatchee Valley Museum & Cultural Center Photography Collection # 88-108-264

Additional Information

BPOE Grand Ballroom Rental site