From the very first years of the 20th Century the Higby family has left an indelible mark upon the people of Douglas County and beyond. In 1902 Lou’s father John purchased 1,500 acres in Greenland, Colorado to establish a ranching operation. Though sparsely populated, Greenland was an important commercial crossroads for the railroad. Soon after John established the Higby Mercantile store offering a variety of local goods including produce, gasoline, farm equipment, and even Ford Model T automobiles. A reproduction of that store front still stands today at the trailhead of the Greenland Trail just west of the exit from Interstate 25. 

By 1910 the family purchased an additional 16,000 acres and established the Greenland Land and Cattle Company boasting over 1,600 Shorthorn and Hereford cattle and 500 horses. When John passed in 1916 the four sons took over the operations with Lou being the driving force. Lou had a tremendous intellect that he put to great use. In addition to running the ranch, he also served as the postmaster and was a founding member of the Bank of Douglas County and it’s first President in 1939. Lou helped found the bank with his good friend and Masonic Brother Philip S. Miller with a number of the brothers at Douglas Lodge No. 153 being stockholders in the bank. Under their leadership the Bank of Douglas County would become one of the most successful banks in Colorado history and help build the Castle Rock community you live in today. Lou went on to serve as Douglas County Commissioner from 1928-1936.

The current lodge building started as the First National Bank of Castle Rock and was successful for many years. Several of the lodge brothers worked at the bank from Vice President to teller. But, like so many others, it succumbed to the ravages of the Great Depression and was forced to liquidate. So, in 1937, after several grueling years of trying to save the bank, it fell into receivership and all assets were put up for sale, including the building. Our Lodge of brothers had been meeting in the upstairs room since 1924 but now their future was uncertain. Lou Higby, the Worshipful Master of the Lodge that year, stepped in to save the day. He purchased the building and its furnishings for $3,250.00, a considerable amount of money in those days. A committee of brethren worked out a plan to re-pay the Worshipful Master for the building over a period of six years, a goal they reached on time. In 1937 the lodge had 67 members with the annual per capita being $1 per Brother so repaying the expense was an effort that took the whole lodge to complete. The meeting minutes of 1937 show that the lodge brothers wanted to name the building “Higby Hall” in honor of the Worshipful Master but the matter was never pursued. Lou Higby wouldn’t entertain such vanity. However, in 2025 Worshipful Master Tom Adair proposed that the dining hall on the main floor be named “Higby Hall” in honor of WM Louis R. Higby Sr. and his contributions to our brotherhood and community. The brethren voted unanimously in favor of the motion and a banner now hangs in Higby Hall for all to see.

Both of Lou’s sons, Louis Jr. and Charles, became Master Masons and went on to serve as Worshipful Masters of Douglas Lodge No. 153. Charles Higby also went on to be a Charter member and Master of the Colorado Research Lodge (1968) which serves as the educational branch of esoteric masonic education to this day. 

An interesting side note: Lou’s biological brother William was the 29th Lt. Governor of Colorado and patented an aeronautic jet engine in 1928!