The Bakersfield Elks Lodge #266 held their 125th birthday celebration Saturday.
The Bakersfield branch was chartered June 26, 1893.
The original Elks Lodge was located on 17th Street and Chester Avenue in Downtown Bakersfield. The group moved into their current building off 30th Street in 1969.
When the club first began, women were allowed to participate in certain programs, but not the lodge itself. It was not until 2001 that Lodge #266 would open full membership to women.
To date, the organization has provided thousands of dollars in scholarships, holds an annual Christmas party for hundreds of at risk children, sponsors veteran programs, and holds fundraisers for the Purple Pig Project, which helps disabled children walk, talk, see and play.
The club currently has 378 members.
