Learn about the Atomic Elks Lodge 1301 Roberta Bohanon Temple 1381 in Scarboro

This history is brought to us by Rose Weaver, a dedicated historian and supporter of Oak Ridge history in ways that continue to amaze me. I am proud she chose to use "Historically Speaking" to bring this history to you readers. Enjoy learning more of our unique Oak Ridge history.

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It is amazing the history that surrounds Oak Ridge and even in the community I grew up in. I share with you information on an unknown Temple that ventured to improve the quality of life in the Scarboro community through socio-economic programs, youth enrichment programs, as well as serving as a social club.

Like others migrating to Oak Ridge during the late 1940s and 1950s, Negroes brought with them several organizations, such as the Elks, that improved the quality of life in the Scarboro community.

“The Atomic Lodge 1301 Roberta Bohanon Temple 1381 is one of the oldest organizations in the Scarboro community and maybe Oak Ridge,” said Doc Stewart in an interview in 1976. Stewart was among the many workers who migrated to the Oak Ridge during the early days of the Manhattan Project.

Through the organization’s archived reports, the Atomic Elks Lodge received its charter around 1949 and the property was vested in the U.S. District Court on Oct. 6, 1942, and property deeded Oct. 15, 1958, with Trustees J.H. Bohanon (Exalted Ruler), Clarence Buckley, David Washington, and George Phipps, trustees of Atomic Lodge No. 1301. The building was designated the 15th day of October 1955.

Although 31 members were required to be chartered, the Lodge opened with 80 members. The first lodge meetings were held in a small shack located on what is now Carver Avenue in Scarboro. Stewart went on to say that Mose Say was the first Exalted Ruler and in 1955 the Exalted Ruler was Jerome Taylor, 108 Spellman Ave.

The Lodge is one of the last surviving economic buildings owned by African Americans in the Scarboro community.

The Lodge's mission is: To provide a safe space for members of the Scarboro Community, and that the welfare of our members, their families, and the community, be uplifted through fraternal principles of charity, justice, with brotherly and sisterly love.

According to Stewart, the lodge was moved to the old cafeteria where Spurgeon Chapel Church now sits and then to an old building on Tuskegee Avenue. In 1957, the members purchased one of the dormitories on Wilberforce Avenue, which has become the permanent place of the Lodge.

Along with the Masons, the Elks contributed toward the building of several commercial and residential buildings in the Scarboro community, such as the Mt. Zion Missionary Baptist Church. The Lodge was also instrumental in providing educational scholarships and continues to sponsor youth participation in state oratorical contests and a yearly Parents Christmas Night Out.

The Lodge was known for collaborating with other organizations throughout the city to assist bereaved families, aiding assisted living facilities, providing scholarships to youth, as well as sponsoring sports, and oratorical contests.

The meetings are held the second and fourth Sunday of the month and are open to any interested party. The Elks Lodge currently serves as a social venue and provides educational enrichment programs for youth.

In 2021, the Lodge sponsored a vaccine clinic in partnership with HealthCare Solutions Inc. of Knoxville, providing COVID-19 vaccines.

“This is a historic building, and we are striving to redevelop the current building to make it more accessible for ongoing youth enrichment collaborations and social programs in the Oak Ridge/East Tennessee community,” said Ernest Comer, Atomic Elks Lodge member.

The club has a rich history and desires to continue the legacy fostered by the chartered members, along with the Block Area in Scarboro that provides dances, food, and serves as part of the economic district.

Today’s vision, according to Mabrey Duff, secretary of the Atomic Lodge 1301 and state education director of the state Elks Lodge, is to broaden the usage of the current building by renovating and making the building more accessible for business and educational meetings, serving as a future social venue for the Oak Ridge/East Tennessee community.

The club has a rich history and desires to continue the legacy fostered in 1948 by the chartered members. As I research more about this Club, I will share it so we all will know of this history.

Let us support them in their future endeavors to become an economic investment - not only in the lives of the Scarboro community and the the Oak Ridge community - but in the state of Tennessee, as well.

State Elks Convention will be in Oak Ridge this year

In May 2024, some 1,000 people will come to Oak Ridge for the State Elks Convention hosted by the Atomic Lodge 1301. This could be an economic return for all of us. Roger Williamson is the present Exalted Ruler and he invites everyone who is interested in the future efforts of the Atomic Elks Lodge 1301 and Roberta Bohanon Temple 1381 to attend an information meeting at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 11, at 262 Wilberforce Avenue, in Scarboro.”

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Thanks, Rose, for sharing this history with us.

D. Ray Smith is the city of Oak Ridge historian. His "Historically Speaking" column appears each week in The Oak Ridger.

This article originally appeared on Oakridger: The history of the Atomic Elks Lodge 1301 Roberta Bohanon Temple 1381