The community of Oakley, a suburb of Cincinnati, where the Lodge is located, is usually traced back to 1852 when it was described as “a small settlement between Cincinnati and Madisonville.” Some writers say the name was derived from the statement, “… the glorious oak trees are everywhere…” As late as 1898, when it was incorporated as a village, Oakley’s population was approximately 650. The village was annexed by the City of Cincinnati in 1913 and by then it had grown into a thriving community. Industry had expanded into the area and hundreds of people including many Masons and their families began to move to Oakley.

Organizational Meeting – June 7, 1920

Part of the early history of Oakley Lodge is beautifully recorded in the minutes of this significant meeting:

“For sometime past a number of Masons residing in Oakley considered the formation of a Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons. With this point in view, and to ascertain the effect of such action on the Lodges situated close by, several brethren visited Pleasant Ridge Lodge #282, F. & A. M. for the purpose of acquainting said Lodge of the desire of the Masons of Oakley and to find out what feeling, if any, was to be expected if such a movement was set on foot. Much to the pleasure of these brethren the idea was not only approved but on motion Pleasant Ridge Lodge agreed to be the recommending Lodge and would no doubt give its consent in due time. Highly pleased these brethren next met with the Officers of Hyde Park Lodge #589, F. & A. M., and there also met with a most cordial reception and were assured such a movement would receive not only their approval but also their hearty support. Thus heartened, a letter was sent to over one hundred Masons in Oakley and vicinity inviting them to a meeting to be held at Park Hall on Monday evening June 7, 1920 for the purpose of discussing the matter of forming a Lodge. In response to this letter, also verbal invitations, about one hundred and twenty-five Masons responded and after remarks by numerous brethren which were all in favor of the project a motion was made and unanimously carried that we request the Grand Master of Ohio for a dispensation. A petition was then presented for signatures which had at this time been signed by approximately fifty brethren and at this meeting some forty-two others affixed their names. The following officers were then separately and unanimously selected: Past Master Brother Fred Schmidt, Worshipful Master Brother Rudolph Ruzicka, Senior Warden Brother Homer G. Stanforth, Junior Warden Brother David C. Klausmeyer, Treasurer Brother Al Zutterling, Secretary. A motion was then made that the petition remain open two weeks longer before being presented to the various Lodges in this jurisdiction for consent. The meeting was adjourned to meet at the call of the Chair.”

Much credit is due to several devoted Masons who had prominent parts in organizing the Lodge. They were: Worshipful Brother Fred Schmidt, age 49, a painting contractor and owner of an Oakley paint and wallpa¬per store. He was a former Mayor of Oakley, the first Fire Chief and a member and Past Master of Pleasant Ridge Lodge; Brother Al Zutterling, age 47, a postal mail-carrier in Oakley and a member of Hyde Park Lodge; Brother Harry W. Eckenroth, age 36, a traveling salesman and owner of a confectioery. He was a member of Pleasant Ridge Lodge; Brother Rudolph Ruzicka, age 36, the Vice-President and Cashier of the Oakley Bank and a member of Norwood Lodge; and Brother William Hoffmeister, age 57, a carpenter contractor and member of Hanselmann Lodge.

Interim Meeting – September 13, 1920

The next meeting was held in Hyde Park Lodge, then located in the Hyde Park Masonic Temple at the northeast corner of Erie and Michigan Avenues. Both Pleasant Ridge and Hyde Park Lodges submitted generous offers for use of their lodge rooms and equipment. The offer of Hyde Park Lodge was accepted because it was more accessible to the Oakley area. Other officers elected were as follows: Brother Carl Zink, Senior Deacon; Brother Edward H. Reinking, Junior Deacon; Brother George Ziegenhardt, Senior Steward; Brother Herman lnterrieden; Junior Steward Brother Harry W. Eckenroth; Trustee Brother William Hoffmeister; Brother George Gradolf, Trustee. Appointed were Brothers John Schoenebaum, Tyler; George H. Barnum, Chaplain; Henry H. Rutledge, Preparation Steward.

Dispensation Received – November 20, 1920

The “Warrant For Dispensation” was issued by the Most Worshipful Brother John R. Flotron, Grand Master of Masons in Ohio on October 30, 1920, and was presented to the Lodge on November 20, 1920, thus authorizing the Lodge to operate under probation for one year. At this meeting the By-Laws were adopted and the first petitions (37) for degrees in Oakley Lodge were received.

Charter Granted – October 20, 1921

The Charter of Oakley Lodge #668, F. & A. M. was granted on October 20,1921, by the Grand Lodge of Ohio at a session in Cleveland and was officially presented to the Lodge in an impressive “Consecration and Dedication” ceremony on November 9, 1921. The Charter is inscribed with the names of 147 Oakley members who form the Charter members consisting of the 98 founders and the 49 new members who had been raised while the Lodge was Under Dispensation. This event was conducted by Right Worshipful Brother Harry S. Johnson, Deputy Grand Master, as Acting Grand Master of Ohio, and was witnessed by over 100 Oakley members and 120 visitors from other Masonic Bodies.