By Donald Norton/ Photos by Frank J. Kautz II

The members of King Solomon’s Lodge A.F. & A.M. of Highland Avenue Somerville joined together in Charlestown this past Sunday, June 17, to commemorate not only the battle of Bunker Hill, but the monument itself. The annual ceremony for the monument took place before a good crowd of townie’s and visitors.

In 1794, Farmer Russell deeded the land where the monument is today to King Solomon’s Masonic Lodge, which at the time met at the Warren Tavern in Thompson Square. The deed was signed by Governor Samuel Adams.

The monument was built by the lodge in memory of the many who died at the battle, but in particular Maj. General Joseph Warren, who at the time of the battle was the Grand Master of Masons in Massachusetts.

The lodge was chartered September 5, 1783, just two days after the signing of the peace treaty for independence from Great Britain. At that time, Somerville was a continuation of Charlestown beyond the Neck, until it broke away in the early 1800’s.

King Solomon’s Lodge moved to Somerville and built a beautiful Masonic Lodge Hall at Gilman Square on the corner of Pearl and Marshall streets, until the second fire in 1969 destroyed the building beyond repair.

The lodge is now located now at 125 Highland Avenue (rear) in Somerville and is growing steadily. Every year the lodge celebrates those that died in the battle and lately has joined forces with the Bunker Hill Monument Association.

For more information on the lodge, they will be rolling out a new website over the summer: www.kingsolomonslodge.com, but you can see it as well on Facebook.