Originally situated in the former village of Highland Creek, on the eastern edge of Toronto, the Lodge received its warrant in 1924. The Lodge boasted a membership of forty-two members with twenty-five of them listing their occupation as farmers.
The Lodge grew steadily during the 1920's and reached a membership high in 1928 when sixty-four members were listed. It declined in the following years throughout the depression when many of the members either left the area in search of work or were unable to pay their dues. The Lodge met in Morrish Hall and a young boy was paid twenty-five cents to clean then hall after each meeting. That young boy later became a Metro Toronto Councilor - Ken Morrish. One of the signs of the times was the fact that "Unemployed" was added to the order of business entitled Sick and Distress.
Due to the number of members enlisting in the armed forces in June 1941, it was resolved that the Lodge be closed for the duration of the war. However, the Lodge did hold its July meeting each year throughout the war. Due to the fact that the Lodge did not meet regularly and were unable to pay its Grand Lodge dues, the Grand Lodge of Ontario West requested that the Lodge's warrant be turned in. Fortunately the Master was always conveniently "not at home" when they called and was able to keep the Lodge togethor during the war time until it was able to reorganize. Thus Highland Creek avoided the fate that befell many other Canadian Lodges which never recovered from the loss of members due to war.
In 1946 the reorganized Lodge began meeting in St.Simons Anglican Church in the village. It sent a circular to all former members that any suspended member would be reinstated on payment of $3.00.
In the later half of the nineteen sixties and early seventies, Highland Creek's membership rose steadily and it became a strong voice in the Orange Order. It was during these years that the Lodge became involved in the annual Scarborough Canada Day Parade and the Remembrance Day Services, both of which are still attended annually.
On January 1, 1979, Highland Creek joined the Metro Toronto County Orange Lodge and holds its meetings at the Metro Toronto House of Orange (County Hall) on 417 Kennedy Road at St. Clair E.
Now in its 84th year, Highland Creek is showing new growth with many younger members joining and taking an active role in Lodge affairs.
Our thanks to P.M. Alex Rough for this history.
