The Loyal Order of Moose is one of the largest fraternal orders in modern North America. Founded in Louisville, Kentucky, in 1888, it began as a social and drinking club for working-class men, but later developed into a major fraternal, charitable, and community organisation with lodges across the United States, Canada, Bermuda, Guam, Great Britain, and beyond.

Although it belongs to the world of fraternal orders rather than occult secret societies, the Moose still developed many of the familiar features of late nineteenth-century initiatory organisations: lodges, ritual, degrees, titles, passwords, charitable obligations, symbolic clothing, and a strong sense of brotherhood.

Founding in Louisville

The Loyal Order of Moose was founded by Dr. John Henry Wilson, a 52-year-old physician, and a group of friends in Louisville, Kentucky, in 1888.

According to the Order’s own publicity, the Moose began:

“The Loyal Order of Moose began on a spring day in 1888 in Louisville, Ky., apparently for no better reason than that Dr. John Henry Wilson, a 52-year-old physician, wanted to organize a group of his friends into a fraternal order.”

Wilson seems to have been inspired by another recently organised benevolent order, probably the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. The Moose and the Elks would later become the two largest American “animal” fraternities.

The founders wanted to create a social and drinking club for working-class men that could rival the Elks. The new order began with a single degree of initiation and the usual visual atmosphere of fraternal life: robes, collars, fezzes, titles, and ritual.

Early Struggles

The fraternal world of 1880s America was crowded. Secret societies, benefit societies, Masonic-style bodies, ethnic fraternities, and social lodges competed for members.

The Moose struggled to survive.

Within five years of its founding, it had around 1,000 members meeting in 15 “Watering Places,” the early term for lodges. But within another five years, three-quarters of those members had left.

At the turn of the century, the Order was so weak that Stevens, in his Cyclopaedia of Fraternities, dismissed it with the following comment:

“Loyal Order of Moose of the World – Cincinnati is credited with having given birth to the fraternity with this title, but no-one communicated with at that city has been able to vouch for its continued existence. It is a mere conjecture that attempted rivalry to the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks may have been responsible for the name of the society.”

By 1906, the situation was critical. Dr. Wilson had left the Order. One account states that only two lodges survived, in Crawfordsville and Frankfort, Indiana. Another gives three lodges with a total of 246 members. At the National Moose Convention of 1906, only seven delegates were accredited.

The Order seemed close to extinction.

James J. Davis and the Revival

The turning point came in 1906, when James J. Davis joined the Crawfordsville lodge.

Davis was a labour organiser, former miner, and steel mill worker. He believed that the Moose could succeed if it followed the model of other fraternal benefit societies by offering funeral and survivor benefits to its members.

When Davis addressed the small group present at the 1906 convention, his words stirred them so strongly that they appointed him Supreme Organizer on the spot. He was given approval to put his benefits scheme into practice.

The results were dramatic.

For more than 20 years, Davis travelled across the United States and Canada, organising lodges and recruiting members. He and a small group of organisers transformed the Moose from a failing local fraternity into a major international order.

By 1912, the Loyal Order of Moose had more than 1,000 lodges and over half a million members.

By 1928, it had 650,000 members in 1,709 lodges, as well as 59,000 members in the ladies’ auxiliary.

Davis personally profited from this success. He received a commission on every new Moose inducted. In 1930, his financial agent and secretary bought the rights to that commission for $600,000. In 1932, Davis was accused of improperly receiving $173,000 from a lottery that had brought in $2,200,000 in ticket sales. After an initial mistrial, he was acquitted.

Expansion and Name Change

The Loyal Order of Moose spread beyond the United States into Canada, Bermuda, Guam, and England, though it remained primarily an American organisation. In 1991, it changed its name to International Moose.

The Order was open to men who believed in a supreme being. It published Moose Magazine monthly and continued to grow through the twentieth century.

Membership figures show its remarkable growth:

Just over 1 million members in 1965

1,323,240 members in 1979

1,765,333 members in 1988

1,810,000 members in 1994

Membership peaked at well over a million in the early 1980s. Unlike many fraternal orders, the Moose did not suffer a major membership collapse during the middle decades of the twentieth century. It has declined since then, but it remains large and active.

Major Developments in 1913

Three important developments occurred in 1913.

First, a women’s auxiliary was founded. This eventually became known as Women of the Moose.

Second, the Order established a second degree: the Moose Legion.

Third, the Moose founded Mooseheart, a home for orphans located 38 miles, or about 60 kilometres, west of Chicago.

These developments helped turn the Moose from a social club into a major charitable fraternity with a strong public identity.

Mooseheart: The City of Children

Mooseheart, located in Illinois, became one of the best-known Moose institutions. It is sometimes called the “City of Children.”

The idea for Mooseheart was first conceived in 1911. It began in 1913 as a circus tent in a field and was dedicated by Thomas R. Marshall, then Vice President of the United States.

Over time, Mooseheart grew into something between an orphanage and a small town. It eventually included almost 100 buildings on more than 1,000 acres. It has its own hospital, church, sports stadium, schools at all levels, and both Catholic and Protestant ministers. According to Moose publicity, more than 20 Protestant denominations are represented there, and children are raised in the faith of their parents.

Mooseheart serves children of deceased Moose, their mothers, and other fatherless or motherless children. The population varies, but there are typically between 300 and 500 children living there, along with perhaps a tenth as many mothers. Children may remain at Mooseheart until the age of 18.

Mooseheart has traditionally been vocational rather than purely academic. It operates a strong dairy farm, and pupils are required to learn at least one trade. Graduates receive both a high school diploma and a vocational education certificate.

Its daily routine has been described as old-fashioned and highly structured: rising at 6:30, breakfast at 6:50, school from 8:00 to 11:30 and again from 1:00 to 3:30, sports after school, and supper at 6:00. Younger pupils begin later, with elementary school starting at 8:30 and primary school at 8:45.

The Supreme Lodge of the World is also located at Mooseheart, in a two-storey colonial-style brick building.

Moosehaven

In 1922, the Moose founded Moosehaven, a retirement home for elderly Moose members and their wives.

Moosehaven was established on the banks of the St. John’s River at Orange Park, Florida, about 14 miles south of Jacksonville. It occupies around 60 acres, with more than a third of a mile of river frontage and more than 30 buildings.

Residents whose physical condition permits are assigned a daily duty, usually not exceeding three hours. Everyone receives a monthly allowance. Those no longer able to work are affectionately called “Sunshiners.” Their job is to sit in rocking chairs in the sun and smile at passers-by.

Moosehaven also includes a well-equipped 150-bed hospital and many other facilities.

Ritual and Lodge Structure

The basic unit of the Order is the lodge. A lodge normally includes social rooms or club rooms, as well as a lodge room with an altar.

The religious orientation of the Moose is broadly Deist, with strong Christian overtones. Candidates must affirm belief in a supreme being. The Catholic Church has apparently had no objection to Catholics becoming Moose, though the Lutheran Church has objected.

The first-degree ritual was composed by James J. Davis. It is described as simple and straightforward, without elaborate regalia. It is conducted in the evening before nine o’clock and is administered by the Sergeant at Arms at the formal request of the Governor, the senior lodge official.

The candidate must affirm belief in a supreme being and express willingness to assume the obligation. The oath is taken with the left hand over the heart and the right hand raised:

“I, [Name], solemnly promise that I will not in any manner communicate or disclose or give any information concerning anything I may hereafter hear, see or experience in this lodge or in any other lodge of the Loyal Order of Moose unless it be to one whom I know to be a Loyal Moose in good standing By this vow I bind myself for all time. Amen.”

The initiate is then welcomed and instructed in the secrets of the Moose, including passwords and similar matters.

At nine o’clock, all Moose turn toward Mooseheart and silently pray. The Governor leads them in the Nine O’Clock Ceremony prayer:

“Suffer little children to come unto me and forbid them not, for such is the Kingdom of Heaven. God bless Mooseheart.”

After this ceremony, the Junior Governor addresses the new members. The Prelate then delivers the Ten “Thou Shalts,” beginning:

“Thou shalt believe in God, and worship Him as they conscience dictates. Thou shalt be tolerant to let others worship each in his own way.”

The Governor shakes hands with each new member, and “Blest Be the Tie That Binds” is sung. The Orator then speaks, after which the Governor administers the Obligation.

This begins:

“I, [Name], in the presence of Almighty God and those here assembled, do most solemnly promise that I will obey the Laws of the Supreme Lodge of the World —Loyal Order of Moose, and of the Lodge of which I am a member as well as all orders of the Supreme Council or of the executive officers of the Supreme Lodge or of the officers of the Lodge of which I am a member.”

The obligation continues with pledges to support Mooseheart, reject unauthorised Moose lodges, keep disputes within the Order when possible, and help fellow members. The ritual ends with a prayer at the altar by the Prelate, the singing of “Friendship We Now Extend,” and an exhortation by the Governor to remain loyal members.

The full ritual takes about three-quarters of an hour.

Degrees and Honours

The Loyal Order of Moose began with a single degree of initiation, but later developed additional degrees and honours.

After six months of membership in good standing, a Moose may become eligible for the second degree, known as the Moose Legion. A Legionnaire may wear a “tah” with a purple tassel, along with a Legion jacket, tie, and lapel pin.

The third degree, or Fellowship Degree, is awarded for service to the fraternity. Its regalia include a white shirt, lapel pin, tie, and Alice-blue blazer, along with the right to wear an Alice-blue tassel on the “tah.”

The fourth and highest degree is the Pilgrim Degree. It is honorary and is awarded to perhaps one Moose in 5,000. Pilgrims wear a black and gold Pilgrim cape and tie, a gold tassel on the “tah,” and a Pilgrim lapel pin. This degree is conferred at the House of God, also known as the Children’s Cathedral, at Mooseheart.

The Order in England has additional degrees: the Degree of Purity, the Degree of Aid, and the Degree of Progress.

Public Figures and Popularity

The Moose became a popular fraternal order in the United States. Its mixture of social life, economical food and drink, charitable service, and fraternal identity appealed to many members.

Several American presidents were members of the Moose, including Theodore Roosevelt, Warren Harding, Franklin D. Roosevelt, and Harry Truman.

After the First World War, Moose lodges also began appearing in Great Britain. The Grand Lodge of Great Britain, Loyal Order of Moose, was founded in 1923.

Charity and Community Work

Mooseheart and Moosehaven are the best-known charitable projects of the Loyal Order of Moose, but the Order’s charitable activity extends much further.

Moose lodges have supported health-oriented charities and causes such as:

March of Dimes

Muscular Dystrophy

Heart Fund

Cancer Crusade

Cerebral Palsy

Many lodges have also been active in highway safety, Boy and Girl Scouting, civil defence cooperation, and local community projects.

The service element of the Moose has likely been one of the main reasons for its long-term survival. At the same time, the lodges also offered a convivial and economical place to eat, drink, socialise, and build community.

Women of the Moose

The Women of the Moose began informally in “Women’s Circles,” associations of wives, mothers, daughters, and sisters of Moose members.

These Women’s Circles were formally recognised by the 1912 International Convention. In 1913, the name was changed to Women’s Moose Circles. In 1916, the circles were unified into the Women of the Mooseheart Legion, organised in chartered chapters. In 1933, the name was changed again to Women of the Moose, its present form.

Women of the Moose works two degrees: the Academy of Friendship and the College of Regents. Like the two highest degrees of the Moose proper, these are earned honours.

The Friendship Degree originated in 1927. In 1935, it was renamed the Academy of Friendship. In the same year, the College of Regents Degree was added.

The Star Recorder is not a degree, but an honour first awarded in 1946 to women who keep perfect records.

Women of the Moose has been active in practical work for Mooseheart, Moosehaven, scholarships, building projects, and community service. It funds scholarships for Mooseheart graduates in music, nursing, and business. It has also raised money for major projects, including a substantial contribution to the Mooseheart Health Center, which cost about $1 million when dedicated in 1974.

Later Changes

In 1992, the Loyal Order of Moose abandoned many of the traditional practices associated with secret societies. Since then, the Order has functioned more openly as a social club with a busy charitable programme.

This shift reflects a broader trend among fraternal organisations. Many older ritual societies have reduced secrecy, simplified ceremonies, and emphasised charitable and social work in order to remain relevant in modern life.

Legacy

The Loyal Order of Moose is a major example of the American fraternal movement. It began as a small social drinking club, nearly disappeared, and was revived through the organising genius of James J. Davis and the appeal of funeral, survivor, social, and charitable benefits.

Its story includes nearly every element of classic fraternal culture: lodge rooms, initiations, degrees, titles, oaths, passwords, regalia, ladies’ auxiliaries, charitable homes, social fellowship, religious language, and community service.

Unlike many secretive or occult orders, the Moose became famous less for mystery than for service. Mooseheart and Moosehaven gave the Order a practical mission and helped it build a lasting identity.

For readers of Occult World, the Loyal Order of Moose is important because it shows how fraternal orders shaped modern social life. These organisations were not always occult, but they often used ritual, symbolism, hierarchy, initiation, secrecy, and moral teaching in ways that overlap with the wider world of secret societies.

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