Freemasons have had a very real impact on the town of Chemainus, although this history is not well known. As one example, the building in the header photograph is now a downtown Chemainus coffee shop, but it was originally the Masonic Lodge Hall.
Chemainus, B.C. started as a logging industry town. The town's economy suffered greatly with the steep decline in forest industry employment in the late 1970s and early 1980s. Faced with the loss of its economic base, the town decided to reinvent itself as a tourist destination.
As part of rebranding the town for tourists, Chemainus commissioned artists to do murals on downtown buildings depicting scenes from the town's history.
Downtown Chemainus Mural Depicting 20th Century Lumber Barons H. R. MacMillan (right) and John A. Humbird (left). John A. Humbird was a Charter Member of Chemainus Lodge, No. 114 and was the first Worshipful Master of Chemainus Lodge, No. 114 in 1926
Many of these murals depict the late 19th and early 20th century logging industry of the area. Many Freemasons played leading roles in Chemainus' forestry industry, including John A. Humbird, who became the Mill Manager for the Victoria Lumber & Mfg. Co in Chemainus in 1924. Worshipful Brother Humbird became the first Worshipful Master of Chemainus Lodge, No. 114 when that Lodge received its Charter in 1926.
To further explore the Masonic Heritage of Chemainus, B.C., here are some links you may find useful:
Chemainus Lodge, No. 114 - Lodge Website
Chemainus Lodge, No. 114 - History Page
Chemainus Lodge, No. 114 - Early Membership Lists
