The town we know as Sinks Grove was first called Rocky Point. At one time, Sinks Grove was a thriving community. The population in 1888 was 400, as big as Union. In its heyday, the were a number of flourishing businesses in Sinks Grove.

Sinks Grove raised a company of soldiers for the Confederacy in the War Between the States, the Rocky Point Grays. Several of these fellows later joined the Rocky Point lodge. The Cook and Bowyer band was well known throughout Monroe and Greenbrier Counties. The first 4-H club in the state was formed in Sinks Grove as well as one of the first Granges in the area.

Rocky Point Lodge Starts Work

According to the Minutes of Monroe Lodge dated June 16, 1873, Monroe Lodge received "the petition of Brethren M. S. Connell, Addison Leach, Wm. Slonaker, A. M. Waite, M. H. Walkup, Wm. Correll, and Wm. Bowyer asking this lodge to recommend them to the Grand Lodge of West Virginia for a dispensation to form a lodge at Sinks Grove. (We) do recommend said brethren to said Grand Lodge for the purpose mentioned." Dispensation was received from the Grand Lodge on July 9, 1873.

The Grand Lodge issued a charter dated November 11, 1874, but it was in December of that year that "The Right Worshipful DDGM John W. Harris, aided by Most Worshipful John W. Arbuckle and Richard M. Allen of Fankford Lodge, appeared and by virtue of a dispensation from Most Worshipful Robert White, Grand Master of masons for the State of W. Va., constituted this Lodge in solemn form."

Places of Meeting

Rocky Point lodge met in two buildings over the years. By November of 1893, a committee was formed to see if the room they were then using could be rented. The following month "The committee appointed to rent this room reported that we could get it for ten dollars per year, the Lodge to have it painted, to have the use of same so long as it did not conflict with the District School."

Only two years later (October 1875), a committee was appointed to "purchase the upper room of the Rocky Point Academy from the Board of Education for a lodge room." In February the purchase was made for the sum of $100.00.

Additional space was needed, so in May 1876 the lodge appointed a "committee to draw up specifications for the extension of the Lodge Room; to receive bids and let the same to the lowest bidder." By July of that year, the work was at a cost of $70.00. In September, the Lodge sold the lower story of the addition to the Board of Education for $25. The deed to the lodge was procured in February 1877.

In July 1899 the lodge was meeting with the Board of Education, planning to build a new lodge room in connection with the school house.

Apparently this didn’t materialize because in December of 1900 "It was ordered that building paper sufficient to cover double the floor of this Lodge Room (be purchased). Also to purchase material to canvas and paper walls, paint ceiling and repair this Lodge Room generally."

In 1903, Rocky Point lodge was meeting with the Modern Woodsmen lodge to plan for a new building. Rocky Point decided to build alone and in August 1904 bought a lot from Mrs. C. M. Allen

In September, they appointed a committee to build a hall "either by contract or in any way they think best and cheapest for the Lodge, said hall to be 24 X 46 or 48 as committee think best."

Requests for aid were mailed to other lodges and in October 1904, they received $10 from Indian Creek #72 for their building fund.

The lodge met with the Modern Woodsmen in May 1905, who were to use the lower part of the building. The result of this meeting was a decision to extend the lower part of the new hall 12 feet.

In July, 1905, the membership voted to borrow $300 for the building. Brother Robert Green of Indian Creek Lodge agreed to lend the money. Mr. Green’s loan was repaid July 18, 1907.

The total cost of the building and lot was $1,052.31. In May 1906, it was ordered that the deed to the lot be recorded.

In December, 1905, the lodge sold the old Hall to J. F. Chew for $40. It wasn’t until October, 1907, that the "Secretary was ordered to write Bro. J. F. Chew a deed for the property sold him by this lodge, their interest in the old academy." Seventy years after the sale (February 1975), we find in the minutes this entry: "... the Trustees of Rocky Point Lodge No. 61 are directed to sign and deliver a Quit Claim Deed to Evelyn G. Chew in order to correct a defective title to property formerly owned by Rocky Point Lodge No. 61 and known as the Academy Lot."

In April 1906, the lodge arranged to sell the lower story of the lodge building to the Modern Woodsmen, and in January, 1907, prepared a new deed to Modern Woodsman due to a problem with the former deed. It seems they didn’t get the corrected deed to the Modern Woodsmen until July 1907.

In January 1907, the lodge decided to build a walk from the lodge hall to the school house lot, and in January, 1911, we find the lodge conferring with the Woodsmen to make gateway into lot.

In a few years, we see repairs becoming necessary. In April, 1915, a committee is appointed to check prices of gasoline lights. In September 1919, they "... appointed a committee to confer with the Woodsmen and see to the painting of the Lodge building." In September 1920, we find that the lodge paid to have the building painted.

Electric lighting was approved in November 1921, and in 1922, the secretary was given authority to pay light bills.

In December 1921, the walk was repaired, Rocky Point Lodge and the Modern Woodsmen each paying one half. In December 1924, these two lodges are looking at the costs of constructing a new walk.

In November 1921, Rocky Point appointed "... a committee to have the building repaired, as to where the plaster is off or any where else that the mice and rats are entering."

In February 1927, "The Lodge instructed the Sect'y to write to The Echols Construction Co., asking for $75. for damages done to the plastering of the hall due to heavy blasting while building road by and near the Hall." In January 1928, they accepted an offer of $50 from Echols Co. for blasting damage.

In September 1928, the lodge agreed "... to act in authority with a committee from the Woodsmen Lodge and build steps and walk to road in front of hall."

In December, 1929, "The Lodge voted to give the County permission to remove the rocks and level the lot providing that all damage to the property be paid."

In September 1936, the lodge contracted to have the roof painted for 80 cents per square foot, using the "best aluminum paint."

A committee was appointed in June 1938, to have walls plastered and a metal ceiling installed. Approx. The cost is expected to be $110.00.

The two front rooms were plastered in April of 1946 and in June 1953, the roof was repaired

Rocky Point at War

November 1917 "Bro R. M. Steele gave an excellent talk on the National Army YMCA. A motion to give to the national YMCA was carried..."

April 1918 "The Lodge was ably addressed by J. E. Brown concerning the Liberty loan. it was ordered by the lodge that they take out $100.00 Liberty Bond."

June 1918 "Upon motion of Bro. R. P. Woods for the Lodge to purchase $100.00 worth of War Saving Stamps instead of the Liberty Bonds which were to have been purchased but by failure of the secretary to attend that matter that the order is hereby rescinded and the stamps ordered purchased and registered then deposited in the Bank for safe keeping."

November 1918 "A letter from Bro. J. C. Anderson, now a First Lt. in the Medical Corps in France, was read."

January 1919 "... a committee to purchase a service flag for the brethren who are, or who have been, in the service of our country."

December 1922 "Motion ... that the War Stamps be cashed, which carried unanimously."

January 1942 " ... The Treasurer was ordered to pay Mrs. Pearl L. Pritt, Chairman of Emergency War Fund Drive of the Red Cross $5.00."

February 1945 "A motion was made and duly seconded that we remit the dues of all members of this Lodge serving in the Armed Forces for the period of their enlistment and all dues that have been paid during this period be refunded to them. The motion duly passed."

Tough Times

The period from 1860 to 1900 was bad for the country as a whole and was devastating for places like Monroe County which had to suffer through the reconstruction period. In November 1883 the lodge formed a "committee to borrow money enough to pay dues to Grand lodge."

The crippled economy of the 1880's is reflected in the many references to non-payment of dues and a low treasury balance. In fact, the lodge was in debt because it had paid the burial expenses of one brother ($78.08, $12.50 for coffin) and asked for help from Monroe Lodge #77 in October1884. In 1888, there were only seven meetings. There were three in 1889 and only one in 1890. When meetings were held, attendance was poor, with only three to five members present. Lodge wasn't held at all from August, 1890 to May, 1893. In July 1893, all dues for 1890 and 1891 were forgiven.

During the 1890's money was still very scarce. One year the lodge forgave all dues except Grand Lodge dues. In 1897 it forgave one half of all dues. Sometimes the lodge took the members notes for dues (for example, see minutes of October 1898).

The turn of the century brought slightly better times until the great depression of the 1930s struck. In July 1933 annual dues were reduced from $4.00 to $2.50. We read in 1935 that "Grand Lodge dues (were) remitted this year."

Rocky Point Consolidates With Monroe

By the 1970’s, There weren’t enough active members to properly run a lodge. On July 1971 "... The Secretary is directed to write the Grand Lodge Secretary advising them that our Lodge is suffering from the lack of interest by its members and the elected officers for the ensuing year 1971 failed to appear for installation and to advise the Lodge the steps to take since the new officers are not installed."

The Grand Lodge evidently tried to give some support over the next three or four years because in September 1973 Grand Master Melvin Loudermilk visited Rocky Point and the next spring, April 1974, Grand Master Emmett A. Marshall visited.

Finally, the inevitable happened. In the

July 8, 1976 minutes we read; "The proposal for consolidation of Rocky Point Lodge No. 61 having been laid over for thirty days was presented to the Lodge and a vote was taken and carried by unanimous vote."

Rocky Point Celebrates 100^th Anniversary

In November. 1974, "Bros. Dean and Morris (of Greenbrier Lodge 42), and Burns (Alderson Lodge 70) gave an interesting talk commending our Lodge on its 100 year anniversary." Alas, in addition to these three visitors, there was so little interest that only three members of Rocky Point Lodge were present: Ernest Lee Skaggs, Ward Hedrick, and H. L. Sarver, Jr.

On July 8, 1976, the minutes reflect that "The proposal for consolidation of Rocky Point Lodge No. 61 having been laid over for thirty days was presented to the Lodge and a vote was taken and carried by unanimous vote."

Miscellaneous Information

July 1873 Paid Maggie Connell 36 cents to make 12 Aprons.

January 1874 First dues $2.00 per year.

August 1875 "An appropriation of twenty dollars was made for a set of jewels." Note: September 1875, paid 50 cents for shipping.

May 1876 Laid cornerstone of Mt. Pleasant Presbyterian Church at Rocky Point.

December 1879 Held lodge on Christmas day.

January 1880, purchased 18 aprons $2.61 (12 1/2 cents each)

May 13, 1897 - Donated $25 to new Masonic Home.

October. 27, 1898 - "A photograph of Bro. J. G. Dunsmore was presented to this lodge representing him in the 32nd degree which was accepted with honors by this lodge.

1920 Purchased butter, 50 cents a pound.

May, 1917 "It was on motion ordered that the funds of this Lodge be kept in a bank..."

August 1917 "Bill of $3.00 for taxes for year 1916 ordered paid."

March 1919 Taxes for year 1918 $6.78

March 1919 "The Secretary having investigated the matter of insurance, read a letter from N. S. Arbuckle, Secretary of the Farmers home Fire Insurance Co. in which he stated that the insurance was canceled something like two years ago, he not being able to find anyone to pay the premiums."

1921 Ballot mentioned as being "dark".

November 1921 taxes $4.53

February 1925 Annual dues raised from $2 to $4.

October 1928 Jewels cleaned and new ribbons purchased; cost $1.50.

1932 "The lodge voted to have Bro. N. H. Van Stavern frame the picture of George Washington... The picture was presented by the George Washington Memorial Assoc."

September 1935 "Bro. W. A. Benfield talked on the great importance of temperance, especially in officers of the lodge, when helping conduct funeral services." Note: The lodge had conducted two Masonic funerals the preceding month.

Rocky Point Lodge had an oyster banquet every year at year end.

February 1939 "The W. M. appointed Bro. N. W. Nickell and W. A. Benfield a committee to write to write a history of Rocky Point Lodge."

June 1941 Annual dues raised from $2.50 to $4.00.

August 1945 Paid $24.10 for a sanitary toilet.

December 1948 Paid Julian Shrader $9.00 for cuspidors.