An Incomplete History of the Chapters of Cahuilla Lodge

Although only 10 chapters are currently operating in Cahuilla Lodge today, there have been (at least) 21 viable chapters that have operated in our history, including some clans, or subsets of chapters.

The chapter has been a necessary hierarchy for our lodge to operate because of our large geographical size, which from time to time has swept from Fort Irwin to Temecula, from Ontario to Quartzite, Arizona. Many members who do not participate long, or district members who are not in the Order may see the chapter, and their knowledge of the OA as an organization may not go beyond the chapter itself.

It needs to be noted that the information I have is very incomplete. Also, I have to temper my comments because much of the information I receive is unreliable or exaggerated, which is probably the product of a person having pride in the chapter they come from.

As always, I present this information not only to give a history of our lodge and touch on things you may not necessarily know, but to help gather information and knowledge from other sources who may be helpful. I invite you to help me gather relevant information.

• 1974: The original chapters of Cahuilla Lodge # 127 were probably: Agua Mansa, Agua Caliente, Chemehuevi, Luwillivon, Mojave, Serrano, Takik, Yamiwa, and Wanakik. A-tsa Lodge # 380 merged with Cahuilla and formed their own chapter.
• 1982:Agua Mansa and Luwillivon merged to form the Whi-Al-Lum Chapter.
• 1985: In September, the huge Agua Caliente Chapter split into four pieces. The north area became the Chemehuevi Chapter, the west end became the Morongo Chapter. The Palm Springs area because the Aswit Chapter and the rest remained the Agua Caliente Chapter. Also, the Takik Chapter was split into the Hutuk and Puyumak Chapters and the Big Bear Clan seperated from the Mojave Chapter.
• 1986: In September, Soboba Chapter split from Wanakik Chapter. Takic was split into the Hutuk and Puyumak Chapters.
• 1989: In September, Whi-Al-Lum Chapter was once again split into the Luwillivon and Kaneeno Chapters and Big Bear Clan remerged with Mojave Chapter.
• 1992: In September, several changes took place. Morongo Chapter was absorbed by A-tsa Chapter. Aswit Chapter was absorbed by Agua Caliente Chapter. Memekis Chapter, formerly of Pang Lodge, became a chapter of Cahuilla after the Pang-Ashie merger.
• 1993: In June, Luwillivon and Kaneeno Chapters merged to reform the Whi-Al-Lum Chapter. In March 1994, Aswit Chapter split from Agua Caliente. The Memekis Chapter was formed from area given to the Council that was originally in Pang Lodge.
• 1994: In April, the Big Bear Clan was once again split from the Mojave Chapter. The Memekis Chapter was absorbed by the Agua Caliente Chapter.
• 1999: The Azwit Chapter was absorbed by the Agua Caliente Chapter.
• 2000: The Chemeheuvi and Agua Caliente Chapters merged. The Chapter named itself Aca.
• 2001: Whi-Al-Lum Chapter changed their name to Wisumahi Chapter.
• 2004: Yamiwa Chapter reformed after Three Peaks District was split from Tahquitz District in March 2003.
• 2005: Soboba Chapter was absorbed by Wanakik Chapter after Five Nations and Mt. Rubidoux Districts were merged.