With everything closed on Sundays because of New York City Blue Laws, a group of theatrical people began meeting for their own amusement in the late 1860's. A loose organization was formed to make sure the larder was well-stocked for these gatherings. They called themselves the Jolly Corks.

When one of their members died shortly before Christmas in 1867, leaving his wife and children destitute, the Jolly Corks decided that in addition to good fellowship, they needed a more enduring organization to serve those in need.

On February 16, 1868, they established the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. Membership grew rapidly. Elks traveling to other cities spread the word of the Brotherhood of Elks. Soon there were requests for Elks Lodges in cities other than New York. In response, the Elks asked the New York State legislature for a charter authorizing the establishment of a Grand Lodge with the power to establish local Lodges anywhere in the United States. The first local charter was New York Lodge No. 1 on March 10, 1871.