THE CHRONICLES OF OKLAHOMA
Order of the Eastern Star Chapel at the Masonic Home in Darlington, Oklahoma (4343,
Oklahoma Historical Society Photograph Collection, OHS).
representative from the OES, the governing board, which only met at
the home a few hours each month, could not adequately oversee the
operations. This lack of involvement changed in later years.8
Located in Atoka until April 30, 1910, the home's sixty-five children
then moved to a permanent location in Darlington, Oklahoma.9 Ar-
rangements made with the federal government for the purchase of the
Darlington Indian Agency buildings allowed for use of the facility as
the permanent Masonic Children's Home.0 Located five miles north-
west ofEl Reno in Canadian County, the home consisted ofa farm with
676 acres. The Masons bought the acreage with approximately twenty
buildings for $73,882 to be paid in several installments." The Masons
planned to house not only children but also elderly Masons and the
widows of Masons.
Difficulties plagued the Darlington home. Records indicate that the
property, which contained not only living quarters but also a large
working farm, required extensive repairs and remodeling. Thus, the
location would not support a home without additional funds expended.
Also, due to the high alkaline content of the water, it could not be used

for drinking or household use. The cost of the nonbudgeted repairs

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