The Boat Builder and the Missing Cornerstone

Down at the end of First Street, overhanging the water, is an old boat house, whose proprietor has figured prominently in Olympia’s history. Outside his circle of early settlers and old friends, he is but little known. He mingles not with the world at large, but seems to patiently pass the walks of life in anticipation of the inevitable. This gentleman is Courtland Ethridge, one of the earliest settlers in Olympia. He is an expert carpenter, builder and woodworker, and has designed and built some of the most historic structures in Olympia. Now he devotes his time to boat building, and enjoys a sail with the boys. Many a time has he weathered the storm of the waters, as he has that of life, and today he is admitted to be one of the best posted residents of Olympia. Mr. Ethridge came here in 1851, and was associated with men of early days, like Simmons, Smith, Ferguson, Kindred, Rabbison, McElroy, Harned and others. As a builder, his services were always in demand. He acted, too, as his own architect, and built way back in the early fifties what is now Young’s hotel, the present Congregational church, and other structures.

The greater number of Ethridge’s associates were Masons, and naturally, one of the first things they did while hewing out the wilderness, was to organize a Masonic lodge. M. T. Simmons then had an old building which stood not 75 feet from Ethridge’s boat house, and in this building the first and present Olympia Lodge No. 1 was organized. This building soon became inadequate for the needs of the fraternity, and a new lodge was talked of. Simmons, who was then running a sawmill at Tumwater, agreed to donate the lumber. Ethridge designed the plans and superintended the building, which was finished in 1854 and which stands now, opposite the Olympia Hotel, sound and solid, and an evidence of his superior workmanship. This historic hall, the oldest in the state, is held as sacred by the Masonic fraternity, not only in Olympia but throughout the entire state. In it, many old and worthy settlers were admitted to the mysteries and workings of Masonry, and it is held dear to the fraternity. So dear, in fact, that it will probably never be removed. It is the intention, when a new temple is built, to build it right over the old one, enclosing the old one in an arch, and thus preserving it, sacred to the memory of Masonry.

Connected with this old building is a mystery which has never been solved, and probably never will be. About ten years ago the hall was moved back a few feet, upon supports of brick work. In removing it, search was made for the corner stone, which was a cedar block made by Mr. Ethridge himself, and laid with the usual ceremonies. Strange to say, this could not be found, although diligent search was made and the ground was excavated for several feet around where the block or corner stone should have been. Its mysterious absence will probably never be accounted for.