On May 3rd 1912 a group of men held the first meeting of the Chicora Moose Lodge #962 at the Johnson's and Tadder Hall. Unhappy with the lack of privacy and small space, the Lodge voted on July 12th, 1912 to rent the third floor of the Waltman building for the Lodge to use. The rent for the floor was $100 for the first year and $150 for each year after. The lodge placed partitions to form a grill room for the members to enjoy.
The lack of privacy from the second floor tenet required the Lodge to inquire into the possibility of renting another building. On Februrary 5th, 1913, the Lodge decided to rent the Aldinger Building for the price of $8.00 per month.
Starting late in 1915 into early 1916 the Lodge had many discussions about buying property for a new home. Various pieces or property were discussed and investigated for use by the Lodge. Finally the Officers of the Lodge voted on June 16th, 1916 to give the Building Committee a draft for $3,400.00 to purchase the Barnhart Heirs property. This was the first building owned by Chicora Moose Lodge #962. Needing more space inside for use by the members, the Lodge voted on November 7, 1916 to build a 20' addition to the existing building for a club and grill room. This building was used by the Members with many repairs made.
On June 24th, 1924 the Officers and Members voted to petition the Millerstown Boro to have Slippery Rock Street paved with reinforced concrete and the Boro do the work this year if at all possible. On June 21st, 1925 the Boro was requested to slope the bank for installation of a sidewalk. This work along with the paving of the street cost the Lodge $745.81.
The Officers and Members voted on January 6th, 1925 to have the Lodge wired for electric current. At the February meeting the Secretary was ordered by the Dictator to draw a warrant for $50.00 to the Trustees for the wiring of the Lodge.
During this time of Prohibition and now in a depression, the Lodge was experiencing a loss of membership and a lack of funds. This resulted in the electricity being terminated to save money, and the building basically closed. Meetings, when held, were often held in Dictator Barnhart's store. With the repeal of Prohibition, the Lodge voted on January 10th, 1934 to file an application with the Liquor Control Board for a license and permission to open and serve alcoholic beverages. Also in 1934, the Lodge voted to build walkways from the doors to the street and to the Ritzert line as economically as possible to improve the look of the Lodge. During this time repairs were also made to the building to improve the condition of the interior. Walls were papered and ceilings were improved with wallboard. The rooms on the first floor were cleaned and painted or papered to improve the looks of the rooms. The electric lighting was reconnected and used in the Grill room in the evenings.
In 1934 discussions were held to plan for a new building. Finally on June 4th, 1936 all funds and bonds except $1,000.00 to be left in the Benefit Fund was to be transferred to a building fund. No funds were to be used for a building without a majority vote of the membership. This new building was opened in 1939 with Director General James J. Davis, founder of Mooseheart, dedicating our building. The first meeting in the new building was held on April 6th, 1939. this building is still being used by the Lodge today.
The officers and members voted to lend the Women $50.00 to get supplies for the Women to form the Women of the Moose auxiliary.
The men voted to erect a card room in the basement on February 20th, 1942 at a cost of $27.00 with extra lumber not to exceed $20.00.
The men voted on December 18th, 1942 to enclose the porch of the new building at a cost of $96.00 to help protect the front door and patrons from the weather.
Good news for the Lodge! On May 2nd, 1943, one day before the Lodge's 31st birthday the Officers and members burned the mortgage for the present day building.
The Lodge needing more room purchased a lot from the Ritzert Brothers for $800.00 on August 3rd, 1945.
March 11th, 1947, the Lodge purchased and Iron Lung for the benefit of the entire Chicora area. This was originally placed in the Vensel Funeral Home for use by the Community. Then the machine was placed into a Doctor's office until the Doctor passed away. Then the Iron Lung was given to the Fire Department with some money donated for repairs to said machine.
In September of 1947, due to the death of her husband, Mrs. Ross made application to Mooseheart for her and her children to live in our Child city.
The Lodge voted on March 5th, 1948 to expand the present building by adding an addition with full basement. The cost of this expansion was to cost $15,000. This addition would give the Lodge much needed space for entertainment and Lodge functions. After drawings and prints were made, dispensation obtained from Mooseheart, and other preliminary work completed, work started on the new addition on June 20th, 1949.
June 7th, 1954 the Lodge issued Certificates of Indebtedness to help pay the mortgage.
After remodeling and completion of the rear addition, the Lodge contacted the Liquor Control Board for permission to open a new service room. This is today's Social Quarters and bar.
Once again and Brother passed away with children needing the assistance and help from Mooseheart. The Vignone Family was accepted at Mooseheart in October 1955.
Since 1939, the Lodge had been holding business in the new building. The Officers and Members voted on August 19th, 1957 to accept bids to remove the original Lodge Home. The old building was removed and the lot converted to a parking lot. This vote occurred on September 16th, 1957.
A low point in the Lodge history requires the Officers and Members to vote January 30th, 1959 to borrow $4,000.00 from Ellwood City Bank to catch up payments of the bills.
Great news again! The lodge, with a donation of $1,000.00 from The Women of the Moose, paid the mortgage for the rear addition in the summer of 1962.
In the following years the Lodge did a lot of wall cleaning, painting, repairs and things. The basement had a drop ceiling put in and paid for by The Women of the Moose. This ceiling after a few years was repaired and painted. The Lodge also replaced and repaired equipment, bought new furniture and fixtures. A small kitchen was built on the rear of the back room, and the kitchen in the basement was updated to allow the Lodge to provide enjoyment and fun times for all.
On September 18th, 1984 the Lodge borrowed $2,500.00 to allow the Lodge to purchase a Satellite dish for the enjoyment of the membership. This loan was not received with enthusiasm by Mooseheart. A few months later the Lodge purchased a descrambler to enable the membership the opportunity to watch horseracing at different tracks.
June 3rd, 1986 the Officers and members voted to spend $5,000.00 to remodel and upgrade the Social Quarters.
The Lodge entered into an agreement on June 3rd, 1986 with the Lutheran Society for the Nutrition of Senior Citizens to use the Lodge basement and kitchen. The Lutheran Society agreed to update the basement to make it wheelchair accessible. This agreement gives the Lodge, along with the sponsorship of the Boy Scouts two fine Civic Affairs programs.
Needing additional space for preparing and serving dinners, the Lodge voted on May 3rd, 1988, the Lodge's 76th birthday, to borrow $20,000.00 to build an addition to the rear of the building for a larger kitchen.
The Lodge entered into an agreement with PennDOT after the Officers and Members voted on March 5th, 1991 to join the Adopt a Highway program. This section of road from the Donegal Township election house to the county line just past the Donegal Grange has been cleaned of trash for over 11 years. This helps the Lodge in our Civic Affairs programs to become one of the best in the Fraternity in Civic Affairs.
The Officers and Members voted on February 2nd, 1991 to accept a $22,000.00 bid to build the present day Women's restroom. Then voted March 16th, 1993 to do a major remodel of the Men's restroom and hallway.
All of these improvements are paid in full. At this time all the exterior doors, all the windows on the first and second floors have been replaced, the office has been dry walled, painted, had new lights installed and improved heating and air conditioning. The front hall and second floor access has been dry walled and painted and new lighting has been installed. A handicap ramp and van accessible parking spot has been built in the rear of the building for our wheelchair and walking impaired members.
A new computer was purchased and the Loomis membership and business works software installed and upgraded to help the Administrator and secretary complete and send these reports to Mooseheart. The key fob entry system has decreased our arrearage and helped to enforce our guest policy.
This Lodge is now a Family Center, one of the first 10 in the State of Pennsylvania. And in the year 2000, the Lodge earned it's first Lodge Merit Award. With the work of it's dedicated Officers and Members this could be the first of many more to come.
Who knows what improvements will be undertaken in the future. Will it be a complete remodel of the back room? Will it be new additions to the sides? Will it be a new building? Who knows?
This Lodge has had it's ups and downs in it's 90 years as a Moose Fraternity but has always continued to grow and follow the precepts of our order. With the work of our dedicated Officers and Members this Lodge should continue to grow and prosper.