History
Founding and Early Years (1873)
Minnehaha Lodge No. 5 of Ancient, Free and Accepted Mason was founded on July 15, 1873, with 11 Master Masons who met in the Libby Building on Main Street. This makes it the oldest philanthropic organization in Sioux Falls and the first lodge formed in Sioux Falls.
The lodge's first Master was Thomas Brown, who played a significant role in Sioux Falls' early development. Thomas Brown was the person who had originally conceived and helped get street lights put up in Sioux Falls and was also instrumental in bringing the railroad to the city.
Territorial Period and Early Development
Freemasonry was established in the Dakota Territory by the Grand Lodge of Iowa, with the first lodge, St. John's, established at Yankton on December 5, 1862. By 1875, further lodges were chartered at Vermillion (Incense), Elk Point (Elk Point), Canton (Silver Star), Sioux Falls (Minnehaha) and, under dispensation, at Springfield (Mt. Zion).
The lodge predates South Dakota as a state. When it first came into existence as a Grand Lodge, it was actually the Grand Lodge of Dakota, so of North and South Dakota. On July 21, 1875, representatives from these lodges formed the Grand Lodge of the Dakota Territory.
Statehood and Division (1889)
The Grand Lodge of the Dakota Territory worked and chartered lodges until 1889 when the territory was divided and admitted to the United States as South and North Dakota. At that time, the Grand Lodge also split in two with 73 lodges under the Grand Lodge of South Dakota and 23 coming under the authority of the Grand Lodge of North Dakota.
Role in Community Development
The Masons were some of the earliest founders of the city. They helped develop some of the plans, streets, and street lights. Some of the early settlement of the city. The lodge has maintained its commitment to community service throughout its history, with members historically including city mayors and city and state officials.
Modern Era and Charitable Work
Today, Minnehaha Lodge Number 5 continues its tradition of charitable work and community involvement. Recent examples of the lodge's charitable activities include a college scholarship of $1,000 that it gives out to a worthy high school student once a year, and donations to women and children's organizations in need, such as providing laundry baskets with goods for victims of domestic violence.
The lodge celebrated its 150th anniversary in July 2023, making it a remarkable institution that has served the Sioux Falls community for over a century and a half, predating South Dakota's statehood by 16 years.