Monterey Elks Lodge #1285 of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks was organized on July 1, 1912 when 26 members met at the Alvarado Adobe pursuant to a call by W.H. McConnell, an energetic Elk for years with Salinas Elks Lodge #614. Brother McConnell had been successful in securing a dispensation from the Elks Grand Lodge and also had spearheaded a campaign for a census in Monterey which determined that there were more 5,000 people in the city and thus made it eligible for an Elks Lodge.

A week later on July 8, 1912, meeting at the Chamber of Commerce building, the Monterey Elks elected W.H. "Billie" McConnell their first Exalted Ruler. McConnell, by his own admission, was a "live-wire", an enthusiastic Elk, and a fun loving citizen who was an ideal man to insure the success of the new lodge. Other officers were Dr. W.L. Teaby, Est. Leading Knight; George S. Gould, Est. Loyal Knight; M. B. Steadman, Est. Lecturing Knight; A.G. Metz, Secretary; F.S. Berry, Treasurer; A. J. Lauteren, Esquire; F. Dillman, Tiler; L. D. Lacey, Chaplain; B.V. McMenamin, Inner Guard; E.S. Husted, Trustee; C.F. Brown, Trustee; J.C. Kuhn, Trustee.

Monterey Elks Lodge #1285 was instituted at Hotel Del Monte on Wednesday evening, July 24, 1912, in the presence of more than 150 visiting Elks from Salinas, San Jose and San Francisco. All charter Monterey members had been members of the Salinas Lodge and had been given a dispensation to transfer as a group to Monterey. District Deputy Grand Exalted Ruler James M. Shanley headed the installation ceremonies. A brilliant banquet and dance climaxed the evening which did not break up until past two in the morning.

On July 28, 1912 the Monterey Elks held their first regular meeting as Lodge No. 1285 of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks of the United States of America.

We have been serving the community ever since and will continue to serve into the new century.