Let us picture the City of Toronto in 1922. World War 1-the war to end all wars-was just over. The League of Nations had been set up with great hope and in many instances complete faith that it would forestall future conflagrations. The Country was prospering and the future was bright. Ontario, which was considered agricultural, was awaking to a surge of industrial expansion. Toronto was expanding; there was a great influx of young men and women from the Counties. The City ended at Keele, St. Clair and Don, but was bursting its boundaries in all directions. Motor cars were few and of the Ford Model T variety - four cylinders, 55 pound tire pressure; most deliveries were by horse-drawn conveyances. The Royal York Hotel had not appeared and the Granite Club was originally located on Church Street.

In such a setting, in the early winter of 1921-22, W.Bro. Struthers, native of Goderich, Ontario, Chief Medical Officer of the Workmen's Compensation Board and W.Bro. Alex Lewis. M.P.P., North East Toronto, members of St. Andrews Lodge, Toronto, together with a mutual friend and guest of the evening, W.Bro. Dr. Houston, native of Bruce County and Past Master of Aldworth Lodge, Paisley, chatted together as they left the St. Andrews Lodge meeting. They were aware that many young and enthusiastic Masons from the Counties of Huron and Bruce had taken up residence in the City and now were masonically unattached. Why not institure a "County Lodge" in the City? Following a few days of consideration and with the concurrence and support of W.Bro.Honorable Senator James Spence, a native of Bruce County, they decided to act. Accordingly invitations were mailed to all the known Huron and Bruce County masons residing in Toronto and invited them to a social evening at the Ontario Club on February 23, 1922.

February 23, 1922 was a cold and stormy day. By nightfall, the intensity of the storm had increased to Blizzard proportions, and the accompanying sleet slowed traffic almost to a standstill. In spite of this, the response to the invitation was almost 100%. 72 masons, who originally came from Huron and Bruce Counties together with 15 of their renewed friendships, met and enjoyed a sumptous banquet, music and speeches. Illustrious masons present included - Honorable Senator W.E. Proudfoot, Honorable Senator J.H. Spence, R.W. Bro. John Dunlop, DDGM Toronto Masonic District 11B, Bro. Alex Newwhinney, MPP West Bruce, Bro. John M. Govenlock, MPP Centre Huron, Bro. Alex C. Lewis, MPP North East Toronto and many others. Following the social part of the evening, the assembly resolved into a business meeting with W.Bro. Dr. Struthers acting as chairman. The proposal for a new lodge was outlined by Dr. Struthers and received enthusiastic support. A resolution seeking the formation of a lodge to accomodate the ex-residents of Huron and Bruce Counties together with such friends as may be judged worthy of the "honour" was unaminously passed. A nominating committee was chosen to select a slate of officers; other details were decided as to date (third Monday) time and place (Davenport Temple) and before the meeting adjourned, the Worshipful Master and Officers were authorized to make the necessary application to Grand Lodge and to make arrangemrnts for the first meeting.

Seven months later, the first meeting and the institution of the lodge took place - Monday, September 18, 1922 in the Davenport Temple, 888 Young Street, it was warranted in July 1923 and consecrated November 19th, 1923. There were 84 Charter Members. The chairs wee occupied by Distinguished Masons of the era; R.W. Bro. John Dunlop was the Installing Master. The Worshipful Master, Officers of the Lodge were summoned to stand before the Alter; the Dispensation from the Most Worshipful the Grand Master was read; W.Bro. Struthers, the first Worshipful Master was summoned to the East; he was presented with the gavel and requested to place the supporting officers in their respective chairs

Huron-Bruce Lodge A.F. & A.M. No. 611 came into being

That night - four applications were received - all four men born and raised in the Counties. It is interesting to note that the two Counties were equally divided - members of 12 Lodges from Huron and 12 Lodge from Bruce were represented.

The first candidate was initiated at the second meeting - October 16, 1922. His name was James A. Mc:aren, a native of Goderich, the County town of Huron. He went on to become The Worshipful Master in 1933.

The Brethren left the December 18, 1922 meeting as a grieving and sorowful group. The Honorsble Senator Proudfoot, held in great respect and esteem by all who knew him, had submitted an apllication for membership in the Lodge which was balloted on favourably this night. However, it had become the sad responsibility of the Worshipful Master to inform the Lodge that the Honorable Senator had passed away a few days earlier. His son, Bro, William Proudfoot Jr., was a charter member and secretary of the Lodge at that time. He became Worshipful Master in1926.

After struggling through the "dirty thirty's", World War 11 came. During the late fourties and early fifties, Canada's population increased rapidly, due in part to coditions in foreign lands where living became unbearable. A great many of these persons were of excellent character and an asset to any society where freedom of religion, speech and democratic principles prevail. People were groping for the truth and, as in the City Lodges, our membership had risen to 256.

In September 1987, the Lodge moved to the York Maspnic Temple at 1100 Millwood Rd., Toronto.