Masonic Lodge

Written By Dino DiPietro

Here’s a detailed history of Jephtha Masonic Lodge No. 494 in Huntington:

🏛 Origins & Early Freemasonry on Long Island

  • The first Masonic presence in Huntington traces back to Huntington Lodge No. 26, chartered on March 22, 1793, covering Long Island. That lodge ceased operations by 1806, surrendering its charter in 1818, which left the area without Freemasonry for decades  

🔖 Founding of Jephtha Lodge No. 494

  • On December 21, 1859, a group of Freemasons—including William H. King, Jesse & David Carll, John H. Jarvis, Phineas E. Sills, and Charles A. Floyd—met at Francis Olmsted’s home in Northport to form a lodge in Huntington

  • The lodge received its official charter on January 25, 1860, from the Grand Lodge of New York, becoming Jephtha Lodge No. 494

  • Its inaugural meeting took place over “Candy John’s” grocery store at New & Main

🏠 Moves & Building Construction

  • From 1860 to 1885, the lodge met in rented spaces above local businesses.

  • In 1869, they purchased land at 342–344 New York Avenue for $1,000

  • The cornerstone of the dedicated lodge building was laid on August 25, 1904, and the lodge has been meeting there since March 27, 1905

🎤 Notable Members & Events

  • Brothers from Jephtha Lodge helped establish other lodges, such as Glen Cove No. 580 (1866), Alcyone No. 695 in Northport (1869), Babylon No. 793 (1887), and Matinecock No. 806 in Oyster Bay, President Theodore Roosevelt’s lodge

  • In 1931, Governor Franklin D. Roosevelt, a fellow Mason, delivered a speech at the lodge

📍 Historical Marker & Public Recognition

  • A New York State historical marker was installed in August 2018.

  • The marker reads:

“Chartered on January 25, 1860 · Land purchased 1869 for $1000 · Cornerstone laid August 25, 1904 · First meeting at this location held March 27, 1905 · Erected by Jephtha Lodge No. 494 F.&A.M.”

  • The unveiling ceremony on August 16, 2018, was attended by lodge members, Town Historian Robert Hughes, and Supervisor Chad Lupinacci, acknowledging the lodge’s 158-year legacy

  • Located at 342–344 New York Avenue, the marker is marked at 40°52.237′ N, 73°25.567′ W, and sits among other significant historical plaques in downtown Huntington

🧩 Community Role & Legacy

  • The lodge has been an active local institution for over 160 years, promoting Freemasonry’s ideals—community service, brotherhood, charity.

  • In 2020, members participated in preserving Huntington’s Old Burying Ground, partnering with town authorities to maintain historic cemeteries

  • Membership remains robust, with over 140 members and regular monthly meetings

Jephtha Lodge No. 494 has played a continual role in Huntington’s civic and historical fabric—beginning in 1860, establishing its own building by 1905, and remaining a living symbol with a public marker celebrating its enduring heritage.

Dino DiPietro