Discover the remarkable 1899 Cryptic Rite pilgrimage from Kansas to Colorado and back, a unique fraternal journey chronicled with care.
This nonfiction account ties the history of Ellsworth Council and a major Cryptic Masonry event to the broader story of its era. It follows the plans, endorsements, and official steps that made a cross‑state pilgrimage possible, from a winter idea born in jest to a celebrated summer journey to Pike’s Peak and the Garden of the Gods. The volume brings together leadership, logistics, and the sense of fellowship that propelled members from Kansas, Colorado, and beyond toward a memorable milestone in Masonry.
Inside, you’ll encounter the people, processes, and documents that shaped the event—official endorsements, charters, dispensations, and preparations for travel, etiquette, and ritual work. The narrative emphasizes purpose, organization, and the tradition behind a landmark journey that united several jurisdictions in a shared pursuit of knowledge, ceremony, and camaraderie.
- Historical context for Ellsworth Council, No. 9, and its key figures.
- How a bold idea evolved into a formal pilgrimage with rail routes, souvenirs, and public interest.
- Official documents and endorsements that authorize gatherings and ceremonial work.
- Details about the journey’s setting, venues, and the ritual demonstrations tied to Cryptic Masonry.
Ideal for readers of fraternal history, lodge records, and institutional narratives that illuminate early American Masonry.
Historical Sketch of the Cryptic Rite Pilgrimage: Colorado and Pike's Peak, August 6th to 13th, 1899.