For 127 years, the fraternal order of the Knights of Pythias in Trail has been dedicated to their distinguishing principals of Friendship, Charity and Benevolence.
Trail Lodge #23, founded in April 1897, and in later years its female counterpart the Pythian Sisters, have contributed to local charities throughout their history, including hospital and healthcare causes and the Miss Trail Pageant, now called the Trail Ambassador Programme.
The venerable Knights of Pythias hall in downtown Trail (officially called the Knights of Pythias Temple), was constructed in 1922 as a two-story brick structure by Architect C.A. Broderick, of Trail.
According to files provided by the Trail archives, Miller’s Department Store operated on the main floor from 1929 until around 1935.
Station 10AT, an amateur radio broadcasting system, made their first broadcast from this locale on Christmas Day, 1931. (In 1933, the station went commercial, adopting the call letters CJAT.)
From 1927 to 1935, the building housed the F.W. Woolworth store on the main floor; Stanley Printer circa 1932; Little John then Shopper’s Drug Mart in 1979; and Artisan Craft Co-op in the downstairs until 2015.
The Knights of Pythias sold the building in 2023, and as a society, have been generously donating to local causes with proceeds from the transaction.
Revelstoke’s David Starr, from Revy Renovations, bought the building last year.
Starr says he’s been focusing on giving the structure some much needed upgrades, and is now looking for new tenants for the upstairs.
“We are planning to hold the building long term and love all the history that it contains,” he told the Trail Times.
Knights of Pythias base their lessons on the legendary friendship of Damon and Pythias, best friends in a Greek myth of the same name.
The story follows the teachings of the School of Pythagoras, the father of Greek philosophy.
Pythianism is the practical application of charitable principals in everyday life.
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