Founded 1858 Installation January Official Visit September

Meeting on 2nd Thursday of the Month (except July, & August) at 7:30 PM at the Newmarket Masonic Hall NEWMARKET MASONIC HALL HISTORY 441 Millard Avenue, Newmarket

Officers for 2011/2012
Worshipfull Master	Bro. Shawn K. Broughton
Immediate Past Master	W. Bro. Jason C. Dent
Senior Warden	Bro. A. Gordon Elder
Junior Warden	Bro. Henry Marsman
Chaplain	W. Bro. Dennis H. Goff
Treasurer	W. Bro. Christoper E. Toole
Secretary	V.W. Bro. Donald A. Emerson
Senior Deacon	Bro. Rodney Muir
Junior Deacon	Bro. Kirk A. West
Director of Ceremonies	W. Bro. Terrance Serson
Inner Guard	Bro. Errin M Janes
Senior Steward	Bro. Adib Tawil
Junior Steward	Bro.Scott W. Doel
Tyler	W. Bro. David N. Gingrich
Assistant Secretary	Bro. Fraser G. Cameron
Historian	Bro. Terrance Alderson
Organist	Bro. Andrew A. McDowell

History of Tuscan Lodge #99 GRC

From such records as are available, it appears that the Western Light Lodge, originally numbered #7 and then later renumbered as #13, was the first Masonic Lodge organized north of Toronto. This took place in 1817 and the first meeting was held in the home of Nathaliel Gamble in Concession #1 of King Township. This location was known as Gamble Bush and also Gamble's Inn, just west of Yonge Street on what is now Mulock Drive. Eventually severed from King Township this land is now part of Newmarket. It also appears that Tuscan Lodge later met in the Penfold Tavern at Penfold Corners, and later still in LLoydtown.

Early in 1858 a number of members of Western Light Lodge in Newmarket and vicinity petitioned the Ancient Grand Lodge of Canada for authority to initiate a lodge in that community. Their cash book shows a payment of $6.00 on 23 February, 1858 for the Charter. A Warrant was granted on 19 March, 1858 as Tuscan Lodge #99.

In July of 1858 the Ancient Grand Lodge of Canada affiliated with the Grand Lodge of Ancient Free and Accepted Masons. In October the Lodge was renumbered as Tuscan Lodge #99. While Tuscan lodge continued to function over the years in various locations in Newmarket, the Masonic District around it seems to have shifted about considerably. Tuscan was originally in District "11A", was then transferred to Toronto Centre District "11B", which became Toronto District "C". Next it was part of Toronto District #5, and in 2006 became part of Toronto York District.  Toronto York is now York District. The first Lodge Master of Tuscan Lodge was V.W.Bro. Alfred Boltby. The oldest copy of the Tuscan Lodge By-Laws is dated 1894. It shows the Initiation fee set at $25.00 and dues for local members were $3.50 per year. 

Whether the first lodge meeting was held in he home of Nathaniel Gamble or at his Inn (or whether they were one and the same place) is not known. Shown here is a photo of Gamble's Inn. Likely the people in the picture are Nathaniel Gamble & family. When this site was visited in 2008 Gamble's Bush was still there, but no visible remains of old buildings could be found.