Elks Centennial Lodge 400

The Elks Centennial Lodge 400 was organized July 28, 1923 at Shady Rest Country Club in Scotch Plains, New Jersey. The Centennial Lodge has worked in the community facilitating various humanitarian efforts including supporting children, sponsoring oratorical contests, and encouraging Black Westfield youth to pursue their education. In 1952 the Centennial Lodge sponsored a housing development on Windsor Avenue, which was a remarkably successful and notable accomplishment that resulted in the building and completion of affordable housing for returning African American WWII veterans. Mayor Charles P. Bailey and the Westfield Town Council were very supportive of this effort. In 1954, Mayor Emerson Thomas donated a nine-room house on Spring Street (now Watterson Street) for the use of the lodge, which was eventually moved to its present location at 444 West Broad Street.

Centennial Lodge 400 Archives