Flower City Elks Lodge #91 Ledgers

The Flower City Elks Lodge #91 is one of Rochester's oldest Black organizations and it was established as a result of racial exclusion; an orgin shared by most Black fraternal and Black greek lettered organizations. Its headquarters was located at 285 Clarissa Street in Rochester's historic Corn Hill neighborhood. During that time, the Elks organized Christmas parties for area children as well as Easter egg hunts in the Spring. They also provided assistance to families who were in need via donations made to neighborhood organizations such as Baden Street Settlement and Montgomery Center. College scholarships were awarded to students who participated in an Elks-sponsored oratory competition held on a local, state and national level. The lodge has hosted hundreds and thousands of memebers visiting the Rochester area for conferences, events and celebrations throughout the years. The Elks have been pivotal organizations in community life, especially when Blacks were denied advances in jobs and politics in the greater Rochester area and across the country. The lodge hosted annual Christmas drives to provide gifts and personal hygiene items to families in need and partnered with other local organizations such as the the Clarissa Street Reunion Committee to benefit the next reunion festival.

Famed Rochesterian Cab Calloway was named after his father, Cabell Calloway, who came to Rochester from Baltimore in 1905. Cabell Calloway remained in Rochester for seven years. Although little is really known about him, he left a lasting mark on the City of Rochester. In 1906, he founded Flower City Lodge #91 of the Improved Benevolent Protective Order of Elks of the World. From 1906 to 1908, he served as the lodge's Exalted Ruler. In 1973, the white Elks association finally dropped its prohibition against black members. Still, these predominantly Black Elks lodges, which have a nationwide membership of about 450,000, remain important institutions in black neighborhoods. The Black Elks, such as The Flower City Elks Lodge #91 would provide financial assistance to members who were sick and even help pay for burials. the orginzation would also give financial assistance to its members, although some lodges have become more sophisticated in the way they provide it.