The name Gustavus A. Thompson was chosen because the man Gustavus A. Thompson's life truly exemplified the characteristics and virtues, which have advanced the cause of Prince Hall Free and Accepted Masonry in San Diego, California. Brother "Gus" Thompson, as his closest friends called him, was a charter member of the oldest Lodge in San Diego, Fidelity Lodge #10. He served that Lodge as its first secretary and he served as Worshipful Master in 1910 & 1918. Gustavus was known for his integrity, fortitude, and was said to be a man who truly walked in the footsteps of Prince Hall himself. Such was the character of the man whose name THIS LODGE carries. The founder and organizer of the Lodge is Brother Joseph M. Tucker. Through his tireless efforts and those of four other Master Masons, Brothers Archie L. Haynes, Augustus Holdclaw, Moses N. C. Long, and Valentine R. Stephens, a club was formed. These five Brothers petitioned the Most Worshipful Prince Hall Grand Lodge for a dispensation to open, hold lodge meetings and to make Masons. On August 28, 1953, the Most Worshipful Prince Hall Grand Lodge met in San Diego, and instituted this club as Gustavus A. Thompson Lodge U.D. The appointed officers were: - Joseph M. Tucker, Worshipful Master - Archie L. Haynes, Senior Warden - Augustus Holdclaw, Junior Warden In addition, on this date the Grand Lodge gave 38 Profanes of Gustavus A. Thomas Lodge U.D., their first degree in Masonry. These 38 Brothers subsequently received their second degree on September 23, 1953, and on October 9, 1953, they received their third degree in Masonry, thereby constituted on September 10, 1954 under the Most Worshipful Grand Master Starling J. Hopkins. The lodge originally met at Fidelity Lodge #10, 3007 Logan Ave, San Diego, CA, from 1954 to 1990. In 1990 under WM Bedford F. Palmer a motion was put on the floor to move Lodge meetings to a different location & the vote was favorable. Therefore, in 1991, under WM Clifford E. Robinson, G. A. Thompson started meeting at Lemon Grove Lodge #736 located at 2590 Main Street, Lemon Grove, CA 91945 and this is where we have meetings ever since.