Cox's plans were complete and a call was made for construction bids. The construction contract was awarded to H. Tweedy. Construction began in June 1912 and with the building well under way, the cornerstone was laid on September 1 with ex-governor Albert E. Mead addressing the crowd. The ceremony was concluded with the singing of "Auld Lang Syne" by the Elks quartet. By early 1913, the building was complete and the Elks held their first meeting in their new home. It was formally dedicated on March 25, 1913 with nearly 1,000 Elks from lodges statewide in attendance. In 1938, the interior of the building was remodeled as well as the replacement of the marquee with a new art deco one. By the late 1940s the bowling alley was gone and in the 1960s the kitchen was moved from the second to the first floor. The Elks sold their building in 1971 and relocated to a smaller building on Samish Way, in proximity of Interstate 5. Following a brief occupancy by the Castle Restaurant, the Elks Building sat vacant until 1976 and has housed a succession of businesses, A teenage nightclub "The Vortex". The building at that time was owned by Janik of Sedro-Woolley, WA until sold to Captain and Geller for $135,000. They operated a Teenage Nightclub "club USA" and "Whirla whip" ice cream in the front part of the building on the right side. Captain and Geller sold the Building under an agreement with the city of Bellingham it was to be a building for the city with a federal grant the city became the new owners around 1989 then it was mostly restaurants, since then. References Buildings and structures in Bellingham, Washington Buildings and structures completed in 1912 Clubhouses on the National Register of Historic Places in Washington (state) Elks buildings 1910s architecture in the United States 1912 establishments in Washington (state) National Register of Historic Places in Whatcom County, Washington