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County designates Grass Valley Elks Lodge as Nevada County historical landmark
Summary
The Board approved a resolution designating the Grass Valley Elks Lodge No. 538 (109 S. School St.) as Nevada County Historical Landmark NEV-2054 after presentation by the Historical Landmarks Commission and a unanimous roll-call vote.
The Nevada County Board of Supervisors on April 22 unanimously approved a resolution designating the Grass Valley Elks Lodge No. 538, located at 109 South School Street, as Nevada County Historical Landmark NEV-2054.
The designation was presented by Carissa Cyr, senior management analyst, and by members of the Nevada County Historical Landmarks Commission, who outlined the lodge’s 1912 construction, original fundraising and community uses. Cyr said the designation was recommended by the landmarks commission and would add to the county’s roster of officially recognized historic sites.
Why it matters: The lodge, built in 1912 and dedicated in 1913, is a long-standing community venue used for dances, civic events and veterans’ services. Commission members and supervisors emphasized the structure’s architectural features — including a spring-hung maple dance floor and redwood paneling in the lodge room — and noted continued community use and maintenance.
Discussion and public comment: Bernie Zimmerman, chair of the Historical Landmarks Commission, and Mike Kochis, the commission’s secretary-treasurer and a member of the Elks, provided historical background and described the building’s construction and later uses. Several supervisors recounted personal memories and congratulated the commission and volunteers. No members of the public opposed the designation during public comment.
Vote: The board voted by roll call (District 5: yes; District 2: yes; District 4: yes; District 3: yes; District 1: yes) to adopt the resolution.
Ending: Supervisors asked to be invited to the plaque-unveiling ceremony once the date is set and thanked commission members for their work preserving county landmarks.
