Freeport Elks Club

Freeport Elks Club (known formally as the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks (BPOE) Lodge 1253) was established on August 26, 1911. It was reported that Freeport's Lodge was the first Elks Lodge to be instituted on Long Island. The Freeport Elks Lodge was often referred to as the "mother lodge of Long Island" since its members helped form lodges in Patchogue, Glen Cove, Hempstead, and Lynbrook.

By October 1911, the Freeport Elks had 144 members. That same month, the organization purchased the home of Charles L. Wallace at Grove Street (now Guy Lombardo Avenue) and Merrick Road for $11,000. The new clubhouse was formally opened June 22, 1912. An elks head with electric lights in its antlers was added to the front of the clubhouse in May 1912. On July 17, 1913, ground was broken for a $22,000 addition to the clubhouse. The expanded lodge was dedicated on February 21, 1924.

The Elks' third building was dedicated in 1926. The building was located on the property once owned by the Bergen family.

Due to dwindling membership, the Freeport Elks put their clubhouse up for sale in December 1979. The building was sold to developers. Today, the location where the clubhouse once stood is known as “Elks Plaza.”