University Place in Houston in Harris County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)

Holland Lodge No. 1

Ancient Free & Accepted Masons of Texas

Photographed By Jim Evans, September 24, 2012

1. Holland Lodge No. 1 Ancient Free & Accepted Masons of Texas Marker

Inscription. First Masonic Lodge in Texas. Organized in March 1835 at Brazoria. Set to work Dec. 27, 1835, under dispensation of Grand Lodge of Louisiana, for whose 1835-37 Grand Master, John Henry Holland, this lodge was named. Labors were interrupted in Feb. 1836, in Texas War for Independence, when lodge and records were destroyed by Mexican army during march of Gen. Urrea to join forces with Dictator Santa Anna. The charter, however, was then in saddlebags of Dr. Anson Jones, Texas patriot and first worshipful master of Holland Lodge, who carried the sacred document into battle and victory at San Jacinto, April 21, 1836.

In Nov. 1837, Holland Lodge was reopened, in the Republic of Texas capitol (at site of present Rice Hotel), Houston.

On Dec. 20, 1837, Holland Lodge No. 36 (the original designation under Grand Lodge of Louisiana) met with the only other Masonic bodies then existent in Texas — Milam Lodge No. 40 of Nacogdoches and McFarland Lodge No. 41 of San Augustine — and organized the Grand Lodge of the Republic of Texas. Dr. Anson Jones, of this lodge, was elected first grand master of the Grand Lodge of the Republic of Texas, and Holland Lodge was assigned the No. 1 designation.

Erected 1970 by State Historical Survey Committee. (Marker Number

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10686.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Fraternal or Sororal Organizations. A significant historical month for this entry is March 1835.

Location. 29° 43.736′ N, 95° 23.45′ W. Marker is in Houston, Texas, in Harris County. It is in University Place. Marker is at the intersection of Montrose Boulevard and Milford Street, on the right when traveling north on Montrose Boulevard. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 4911 Montrose Blvd, Houston TX 77006, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. First Presbyterian Church of Houston (approx. 0.2 miles away); St. Paul's United Methodist Church (approx. 0.2 miles away); The Garden Club of Houston (approx. 0.3 miles away); Maurice Joseph Sullivan (approx. 0.3 miles away); W. L. and Susan Clayton (approx. 0.3 miles away); Clayton House (approx. 0.3 miles away); Southend Water Pumping Station (approx. half a mile away); General Sam Houston (approx. half a mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Houston.

Also see . . . Holland Lodge #1. (Submitted on September 26, 2012, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia.)

Holland Lodge No. 1 Ancient Free & Accepted Masons of Texas Marker & Building image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Jim Evans, September 24, 2012

2. Holland Lodge No. 1 Ancient Free & Accepted Masons of Texas Marker & Building

Holland Lodge No. 1 Ancient Free & Accepted Masons of Texas Building image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Jim Evans, September 24, 2012

3. Holland Lodge No. 1 Ancient Free & Accepted Masons of Texas Building

Credits. This page was last revised on February 1, 2023. It was originally submitted on September 25, 2012, by Jim Evans of Houston, Texas. This page has been viewed 827 times since then and 91 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on September 25, 2012, by Jim Evans of Houston, Texas. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.