page_title: Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, Lodge Number 878
section_title: Elks use
hierarchical_section_title: Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, Lodge Number 878 / History / Elks use
caption_attribution_description: English: Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, Lodge Number 878, Elmhurst, Queens, NY in July 2020
context_page_description: Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, Lodge Number 878 is a historic Elks lodge on Queens Boulevard in the Elmhurst neighborhood of Queens in New York City. The ​3 ¹⁄₂-story Italian Renaissance-style main building and two-story annex were both built in 1923–1924 and designed by the Ballinger Company. A three-story rear addition was added in 1930.
  The building is made of granite, limestone, and brick. It features a granite-block terrace and granite balustrade, limestone arched entrance, and an elaborate terracotta cornice. It was once was the largest such lodge in the Eastern United States, with 28 inn rooms, bowling alleys, game rooms, ladies' and gentlemen's lounges, and a 60-foot bar. A statue of an elk is outside the Queens Boulevard entrance.
  From its completion in 1924 until the late 20th century, Lodge 878 was extremely influential in Queens politics, with up to 6,600 members in the 1960s. The members were mostly white and male. In the late 20th century, Lodge 878 saw declining membership amid Queens' changing demographics, and the building was rented out for other events.
context_section_description: Lodge 878 originally had a kitchen behind the main building, measuring 21.67 by 60 feet (7 by 18 m). The Elks planned to eventually add a four-story structure behind the main building, connected to it via passageway, but this did not happen. Sidney L. Strauss, a lodge member, was instead hired to design the three-story rear addition, replacing the single-story kitchen. Babor-Comeau and Company constructed the addition, which was finished in 1930.
  During the mid-20th century, Lodge 878 was influential in Queens politics, with members of Lodge 878 representing both the Democratic and Republican parties. The New York Times said that "If you wanted a job in 1960's Queens, you came to the Elks." By the 1960s, Lodge 878 had 6,600 members and 26 staff, with between 300 and 400 members attending the weekly meetings. Lodge 878 members were highly involved in charity; every year, Lodge 878 held a six-day Elks Bazaar in which it gave away up to 24 new cars. In addition, it was involved in arranging the funerals of its members. 
  The lodge was reported in 1970 to have a membership of 4,093, making it New York state's largest Elks lodge. A Times reporter, visiting two years later, said that the lodge was among the largest in the United States, with 3,500 members according to the lodge's executive secretary. However, Lodge 878 and the Elks as a whole suffered a major decline in membership in the late 20th century. Lodge 878 lost about 90% of its members between 1975 and 2001. This was despite the fact that people of other races were allowed to join the Elks in 1973, and women were able to gain membership in 1995.
caption: Rear addition, built 1930
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