Acacia Fraternity members and guests enjoy an outing at Benbow Inn (Benbow Lakes Resort) on May 18, 1924. The national fraternity had been founded in 1904 by 14 Master Masons at the University of Michigan. Initially, membership in the Masonic Fraternity was required of all Acacia members and this would have been true at the time of this 1924 photograph. The national Acacia Fraternity still exists today but membership in the Masons is voluntary. (www.acacia.org) (print has been damaged)

Acacia Fraternity; Fraternal organizations; Benbow Lakes Resort (Kapowsin);

A large group of Acacia Fraternity members and their guests congregate in front of Benbow Inn (Benbow Lakes Resort) on May 18, 1924. The fraternity was then relatively new as it had been founded by Masons attending the University of Michigan in 1904. Local chapters quickly spread nationwide as men were attracted by the fraternity's scholastic and moral appeal. (print has been damaged)

Acacia Fraternity; Fraternal organizations; Benbow Lakes Resort (Kapowsin);

A portion of the Benbow Inn, or Benbow Lakes Resort, is glimpsed through the towering fir trees on May 19, 1922. The resort provided a relaxing getaway from the stresses of city living with the promise of swimming, fishing and tennis . Benbow Lakes was located between Tacoma and Mount Rainier near Kapowsin.

Benbow Lakes Resort (Kapowsin); Resorts--Kapowsin; Trees;

Picnic on Benbow Inn property. There are mounds of dirty dishes and wash basins spread out on picnic tables on September 9, 1922, on the grounds of the Benbow Inn (Benbow Lakes Resort). The men and women grouped together under the towering firs were believed to be staff assisting at a picnic. The Pierce County property contained five small lakes and attracted much of its clientele from Seattle. TPL-478;

Picnics--Kapowsin; Benbow Lakes Resort (Kapowsin);