The Chronicles Of Grant County

Gargoyles And Grotesques

A grotesque previously seen in Silver City. (The photograph was provided courtesy of Steve Douglas.)

One of the more unusual sights in Silver City were the grotesques (called by many "gargoyles") that guarded the entrance to the building that previously housed the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks Lodge 413. The building is located at the intersection of Market and Texas Streets in Downtown Silver City.

The Texas Street side of the building retains "BPOE 413" engraved on the structure. "BPOE" is the abbreviation for the name of the fraternal organization; "413" was the lodge number.

The BPO Elks Silver City Lodge 413 was established in the 19th century (1898), grew in the 20th century from that building in Downtown Silver City, and moved to a new location at 4051 Highway 90 South (also known as 415 Elk Crossing) in the 21st century. Today, the lodge continues its traditions of service to the community from that site.

There were at least three grotesques – "gargoyles" – at the former headquarters for this Elks lodge. Two were stone and near steps. The third was attached to the building; this third one was not part of the original construction of the building.

"The etymology of the word ['gargoyle'] derives from the French 'gargouille' meaning throat," according to a statement from Designing Buildings Limited. "The precise purpose of gargoyles was to act as a spout to convey water from the upper part of a building or roof gutter and away from the side of walls or foundations, thereby helping to prevent water from causing damage to masonry and mortar. The gargoyle would have a trough carved into its back down which rainwater would run and exit through the characteristically large open mouth."

"While common parlance uses the term 'gargoyle' to mean any fantastical or mythical figure used for ornamental purposes, the strict architectural usage only applies to those serving a waterspout function," the statement continued. "Purely decorative varieties are known as grotesques, chimera, or boss."

In a further statement, Designing Buildings Limited described "…a grotesque, also known as a chimera or boss, is a fantastical or mythical figure used for ornamental purposes…In common parlance, they are referred to as gargoyles, although the strict architectural usage of that term refers to those features that also serve as a waterspout."

"The word is derived from 'grotteschi,' the Italian term for the Roman grottoes that contained such decorations," the statement from Designing Buildings Limited continued. "They were revived as an ornamental feature in the Renaissance and became popular throughout Europe, being used most frequently in the decoration of frescoes."

Designing Buildings Limited noted that "in addition to the practical function of projecting water away from a building, gargoyles were also intended to symbolize 'guardianship' of the building and to ward off evil spirits. Their open mouths were symbolic of them devouring giants."

The three "gargoyles" that were at the building in Downtown Silver City were not utilized as waterspouts. Thus, the more correct term to use to describe these creatures are "grotesques."

This structure for the Elks Lodge was built in 1923. A news article dated April 11, 1923, in The Santa Fe New Mexican, was entitled the "Elks Lodge Of Silver City Will Soon Start Work On $50,000 Home." According to this news article, it was "…hoped to have the building under way in the next six weeks…"

About two months later, on June 17, 1923, the Albuquerque Morning Journal reported that work had begun on the structure. The costs of construction for the building were then listed at $54,000.

On August 24, 1923, The Deming Headlight noted in a news article that the "…formal laying of the cornerstone…" for this building took place the day before in Silver City. Completion of the structure, now listed at $55,000, was anticipated to be completed by November 15, 1923.

The same newspaper included a news article dated December 4, 1923, that indicated that the Elks Lodge building was completed and occupied by the fraternal organization. It was "…erected and furnished at a cost in excess of $60,000."

Eight years ago, on December 15, 2014, The Grant County Beat listed a series of crimes that had been reported to the Silver City Police Department. One of the reported crimes in the Police Blotter for December 12 to 14, 2014, was a larceny at 315 North Texas Street (the site of the previous headquarters for the local Elks Lodge).

According to that Police Blotter, "caller advised that a gargoyle has been stolen."

Likely one of the more unusual crimes reported in Silver City.

A grotesque previously hung out in Silver City. (The photograph was provided courtesy of Steve Douglas.)

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