The Swords of the Right Eminent Grand Commander

By T.S. Akers

Since 2012, I have been collecting items related to the Knights Templar in Oklahoma. Collecting is of course one of our most human traits. Some collect to recall the places they have been, others to learn from the past, and some simply to understand the world in which they are part. Collecting is an enjoyable hobby for many and often it is discovering the item that makes collecting truly exciting.

Through my years of active collecting, I have acquired several items that have belonged to Past Grand Commanders of both the Indian Territory and Oklahoma. Several of these pieces were found locally in Oklahoma City with the assistance of relationships developed with dealers. Today, my collection includes two Knights Templar swords that each belonged to Oklahoma Templar leaders. Since assuming the office of Right Eminent Grand Commander of Knights Templar in April of 2026, I have been carrying both swords during my term. 

 

Knights Templar sword of Sir Knight James C. Johnson.

The first sword I purchased around 2014 was found at the Antique Co-Op of Oklahoma City. This antique mall was one I perused from time to time yet never purchased anything from. It was at the back of this one mall that I laid eyes upon a Templar sword, gold in color indicating a Past Commander, of Oklahoma regulation, and bearing the name James Johnson.

 

Sir Knight James C. Johnson, Right Eminent Grand Commander 1928-1929. 

The Proceedings of the 34th Annual Conclave of the Grand Commandery of Oklahoma tell us that James C. Johnson (1885-1957) was born in Augusta, Kansas on the 23rd of January, 1885, and moved to Frederick, Oklahoma, in 1906. He married Senora C. Eads of Denton, Texas, in 1909. A member of the First Presbyterian Church of Frederick, Johnson was also director of the Chamber of Commerce. He served as the Auto License Agent of Tillman County in addition to offering real estate, insurance, and lending services.[1]

Johnson’s Masonic career began upon his arrival in Frederick. He was Raised to the Sublime Degree of Master Mason on the 29th of October, 1909, in Frederick Lodge No. 249 and served as Worshipful Master in 1927. It was on the 11th of March, 1910, that Johnson would be Exalted to the August Degree of Holy Royal Arch in Frederick Chapter No. 41, serving as High Priest in 1916. The year 1910 also saw him Greeted as a Royal & Select Master in Frederick Council No. 14, Johnson would serve the Council as Illustrious Master in 1915. Finally, on the 16th of November, 1911, Johnson was created a Knight Templar in Frederick Commandery No. 19, serving as Commander in 1919. Sir Knight Johnson served as the Right Eminent Grand Commander of Oklahoma for the 1928-1929 Chivalric year.[2]

I passed the Johnson sword on to a friend in 2016 but re-acquired it in 2025.

 

Knights Templar sword of Sir Knight Bert D. Ashbrook.

The second sword I purchased around 2019. This sword was found in a junk shop that was an Oklahoma City institution, Trader Mike’s. Unfortunately, Mike recently retired and the junk landscape will never be the same. Mike regularly had Masonic swords for sale, I had even bought a complete 1920s Sir Knight uniform from him, with sword, in the past. However, most of the swords Mike offered were not of Oklahoma regulation. On this day, the sword was of the Iowa pattern, but being gold piqued my interest. I asked to see the sword and was pleasantly surprised by the name engraved on it, B.D. Ashbrook.

 

Sir Knight Bert D. Ashbrook, Right Eminent Grand Commander 1927-1928.

This Sir Knight was Bert D. Ashbrook (1868-1935). From the proceedings of the 33rd Annual Conclave of the Grand Commandery of Oklahoma, we learn that Ashbrook was born on the 5th of September, 1868, near Pleasantville, Ohio. The family later moved to Nebraska, and it was there that Ashbrook married Cora M. Easton. In 1900 Ashbrook relocated to Blackwell, OT, to take a position with the Conservative Investment Company, an investment bankers group specializing in farm mortgages. He then moved to El Reno in 1915, becoming president of the firm the following year. Ashbrook was an active member in the First Presbyterian Church of El Reno, serving as chairman of its board of trustees for several years.[3]

Ashbrook started in Freemasonry at Chikaskia Lodge No. 34 of Blackwell and was raised a Master Mason on 20th of September, 1904. He was elected Worshipful Master in December of 1914 but declined the office owing to his eminent departure to El Reno. Ashbrook was exalted a Royal Arch Mason in Blackwell Chapter No. 43 and served as High Priest there in 1907. He was created a Knight Templar on the 20th of February, 1906, in Ben Hur Commandery No. 14 of Ponca City. Ashbrook was a charter member of Emmanuel Commandery No. 23 at Blackwell in 1907 and served as that commandery’s second Eminent Commander. He was greeted as a Royal & Select Master in Alpha Council No. 18 of Oklahoma City in 1909 and later demitted in 1917 to join Reno Council No. 13 of El Reno.[4]

Ashbrook not only served as Grand Commander of Knights Templar for the 1927-1928 Chivalric year, but he also served as Grand High Priest of Royal Arch Masons for the 1917-1918 term and Illustrious Grand Master of Royal & Select Masters for the 1924-1925 term. A member of the Guthrie Scottish Rite Valley, Ashbrook was coroneted a 33rd Degree in 1925. He was also a charter member of St. Omer Conclave, Red Cross of Constantine. Ashbrook was responsible for the establishment of the Grand Chapter of Royal Arch Masons’ Educational Loan Fund, serving as chairman of it and the Grand Commandery Knights Templar’s fund for several years.[5]

Since being returned to the elected line of officers for the Grand Commandery Knights Templar of Oklahoma in 2021, I have carried Ashbrook’s sword at the annual installation officers.

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[1]  Grand Commandery Knights Templar of Oklahoma, Proceedings of the 34^th Annual Conclave (Oklahoma: 1929).

[2]  Proceedings of the 34^th Annual Conclave.

[3]  Grand Commandery Knights Templar of Oklahoma, Proceedings of the 33^rd Annual Conclave (Oklahoma: 1928).

[4]  Proceedings of the 33^rd Annual Conclave.

[5]  Ibid.

A Preservation Story: The C.L. Cooper Building of Eufaula

By T.S. Akers

 

The C.L. Cooper Building of Eufaula, as it appears in 2026. 

Historic buildings can evoke strong sentiments in some, especially when a building is iconic. When these buildings face uncertain futures, through purchase or neglect, people often begin to ask what can be done to save them. The water can often be muddied when these edifices are listed on the National Register of Historic Places, a designation that many do not understand. The purpose of the National Register is to catalog historic and archeological sites deemed worthy of preservation. For those buildings privately owned, the National Register has little impact as it places no federal restrictions on property owners around preservation, so long as preservation tax credits and state-level grants are not being utilized.

 

The C.L. Cooper Building, prior to 2022.

The answer to the long-standing cry of “What can be done to save this building?” is simply, own it. And whilst that statement may be easier said than done, it is the absolute truth. Historic preservation begins with owning the property in question. And in Eufaula, Oklahoma, one can find a perfect example of owning the property. Since perhaps the 1970s, the C.L. Cooper building sat neglected, the roof caving in, vines overtaking the walls, and nature reclaiming the property. Then along came Jay Hunn in 2022 with a vision for the property, which had been added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1985.[1]

Following the American Civil War, the former slaves of the Five Tribes, or Freedmen, began to gather in communities for mutual protection and economic security. Nowhere else across the South was black settlement like this observed. Prosperous farming communities developed capable of supporting businesses, schools, and churches.[2] When the Katy Railway bypassed North Fork Town in 1872, establishing a railhead north of the Canadian River, the town of Eufaula emerged.[3] The original commercial district was along Front Street, which fronted the railroad on the western side of the tracks.[4] In time, a thriving black community developed on the eastern side of the tracks, with its own commercial district fronting the railroad.

Following statehood in 1907, Dr. Carolina Lucius Cooper came to Eufaula.[5] Born in 1872, Dr. Cooper was not just the first black physician in Eufaula, he remained the only physician in the black community until his death in 1944.[6] Dr. Cooper ultimately acquired a lot at the corner of B Street and Harrison Avenue, erecting a building there in 1915. What became the C.L. Cooper building is a two-story edifice of common red brick. Decorative features are modest and include toothing of brick at the cornice of the façade, which is also framed by corner pilasters. Originally, the ground floor was occupied by a grocer with Dr. Cooper’s professional offices on the upper floor.[7]

Following the passing of Dr. Cooper, the building became the Cooper Eastside Community Center. It continued in that capacity until 1972, and it was during this period of occupancy that the Prince Hall Masons utilized the upper floor.[8] Prince Hall Masonry is historically black Freemasonry, which traces its roots in the United States to 1778 when Prince Hall and others received a warrant to operate as African Lodge No. 1. The Prince Hall lodge at Eufaula was Paradise Lodge No. 54, which had been established under the Keystone Grand Lodge of the Indian Territory. That lodge existed as early as 1898 and is noted as meeting in Eufaula beginning around 1910, under the jurisdiction of the St. John Grand Lodge of Oklahoma. Though the Masons left the C.L. Cooper Building in 1972, Paradise Lodge No. 54 survives today under the jurisdiction of the Most Worshipful Prince Hall Grand Lodge of Oklahoma. Paradise Lodge is noted as having produced at least one Grand Master, Lon C. McNeil who served from 1931 to 1941.[9]

Interior view of the C.L. Cooper Building prior to renovation.

Now, fast forward to 2022, when Jay Hunn obtained the C.L. Cooper Building. Hunn saw an opportunity to give the only surviving building of Eufaula’s black commercial district new life as a short-term rental. Today, guests are welcomed into a warm and playful space that the building’s current owner carefully crafted. The original façade now features a bump-out reminiscent of a classic storefront, with the front entry located on the north side of the bump-out.

The living room.

 

The kitchen.

Entering the C.L. Cooper Building, guests find themselves in a spacious living room, with a dry bar and sofas. Looking towards the building’s rear one will find the kitchen, with poured-concrete countertops and gas appliances. A full bath and laundry are on the ground floor.

 

The phone box.

 

The garrison flag.

A central staircase, with a landing, leads to the upper floor. The addition of the staircase allowed for the creation of a British inspired phone box. Between the living room and the kitchen, the space has been opened to the building’s roofline. Along the north wall here hangs an impressive garrison sized American flag, predating Oklahoma statehood in 1907.

 

Master bedroom with torchiere lamp.

 

 

Master bathroom.

Located on the upper floor are two bedrooms, each with a full bath. Another charming architectural feature is alcoves where the building’s original brick has been left exposed. Not to be missed are two Art Deco funeral torchiere lamps, personal favorites of the author.

The C.L. Cooper Building, a showcase of what historic preservation can be, is a must rent if looking for a place to stay in Eufaula for a weekend with family and friends.

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[1]  Bryan C. Brown, "C.L. Cooper Building," National Register of Historic Places Nomination Form (Washington, DC: U.S. Department of the Interior, National Park Service, 1984).

[2]  Larry O'Dell, "All-Black Towns," The Encyclopedia of Oklahoma History and Culture, accessed June 30, 2026, https://www.okhistory.org/publications/enc/entry?entry=AL009.

[3]  John C. and Mary C. Harkey, "Eufaula," The Encyclopedia of Oklahoma History and Culture, accessed June 30, 2026, https://www.okhistory.org/publications/enc/entry?entry=EU001.

[4] Charles L. Follansbee, Jr., "The Pre-Statehood History of the Eufaula and North Fork Town Area," The Indian Journal (Eufaula, OK), February 5, 1959.

[5]  Brown, "C.L. Cooper Building.”

[6]  “Dr. Carolina Lucius Cooper,” Find A Grave, accessed June 30, 2026, https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/41159209/carolina-lucius-cooper.

[7]  Brown, "C.L. Cooper Building.”

[8]  Brown, "C.L. Cooper Building.”

[9]  Durrell J. Hodge, Cemented with Love: A Consolidated History of the Most Worshipful Prince Hall Grand Lodge, F.&A.M., Jurisdiction of Oklahoma (Norman: 2019).