Posted by Paulina A. Dunn '25
It’s hard to miss the Frederick Allen Elks Lodge #609 at 69 Beekman Street. More commonly known as the Black Elks, the windows and bright lights of the building illuminate the people inside, playing pool, drinking, talking—and doing it all together. Although located in the historic Beekman Street Arts District of Saratoga Springs, the Lodge goes beyond Beekman Street when it comes to creating a safe space for all in their close-knit community.
Founded in 1897, the Improved Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks of the World (IBPOEW) started as a national fraternal organization for black men who were barred from joining similar, all-white organizations (namely the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks). When the Saratoga Elks Lodge #609 was created in 1925, members gathered on Congress Street, which was a predominately black neighborhood of the city. A lodge served as a location for the black citizens to congregate and create a space that offered equity and mutual support outside of the otherwise hostile treatment they faced on a state and national level.
Founded in 1897, the Improved Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks of the World (IBPOEW) started as a national fraternal organization for black men who were barred from joining similar, all-white organizations (namely the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks). When the Saratoga Elks Lodge #609 was created in 1925, members gathered on Congress Street, which was a predominately black neighborhood of the city. A lodge served as a location for the black citizens to congregate and create a space that offered equity and mutual support outside of the otherwise hostile treatment they faced on a state and national level.
After a fire in 1966, the Black Elks moved to its present location on Beekman Street, a neighborhood tied to Italian and Irish immigrants and later the Arts District (Fitzgerald 2021). Now, the Lodge remains a place for black members of the Saratoga community to come together, forge new relationships, and relax, while also being a space that holds events for members and non-members alike, creating new communities within Saratoga and friendships that will last a lifetime. It’s a perfect alternative to the hustle and bustle of Downtown spots like Caroline Street, offering quiet, laid-back entertainment and company in a neighborhood shrouded in historical relevancy. The welcoming nature of those who call the Lodge a home-away-from-home, as well as the Lodge itself with its warm lighting, comfy seating, and seasonal décor, make it the perfect spot to drop in and find people to talk to with interesting stories, often about the history of the Black Elks themselves and the importance of being seen as both the fraternal organization they were founded as, and the communal space they have become. Stop by on a Thursday for game night, or buy tickets to any number of special fundraising events hosted by the Elks—complete with food, games, and raffles.
The Frederick Allen Elks Lodge is a space that surpasses its history while holding it near and dear to their current standing. While moving beyond their separateness from the white community in Saratoga and becoming a staple beloved by the community, no matter race, the Black Elks continue their mission of philanthropy and socialization, making it the perfect spot to stop by, have a drink, and become a lifelong friend.
The Frederick Allen Elks Lodge is a space that surpasses its history while holding it near and dear to their current standing. While moving beyond their separateness from the white community in Saratoga and becoming a staple beloved by the community, no matter race, the Black Elks continue their mission of philanthropy and socialization, making it the perfect spot to stop by, have a drink, and become a lifelong friend.