The story of the Benevolent and Protective Order of the Elks is a story that leads from Broadway, New York City, to Main Street, U.S.A. It begins in November of 1867 with the arrival of Charles Algernon Sidney Vivian to the city of New York. He was the 21 year old son of an English clergyman and would do well in America as a singer and entertainer. His lasting fame, however, would be as the founder of the Order of Elks of the United States. Theater folks started it all!