Big Spring in Howard County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)

Masonic Cemetery

Photographed By Bill Kirchner, July 11, 2015

1. Masonic Cemetery Marker

Inscription. Staked Plains Lodge No. 598, A.F. & A.M., was chartered by the Grand Lodge of Texas on December 12, 1884. The members soon recognized a need for a Masonic cemetery in Big Spring. In May 1885 George Bauer (1836-1898), a member of the Lodge, donated land at this site for that purpose. Adjacent land was given later for other community graveyards, which have become known collectively as Mount Olive Cemetery.

The earliest documented grave in the Masonic Cemetery is that of William Howerton (1846-1886). At least one gravestone bears an earlier date, but it is for a grave which was reinterred here from another location. Among those buried here are many Masons and their families, including a number of community leaders; Texas and Pacific Railway Company employees; George Bauer, original donor of the property; and veterans of World War I, World War II, and Vietnam.

Over the years, additional land acquisitions have enlarged the size of the cemetery to sixteen acres. A variety of sizes and styles of grave markers can be seen in the historic graveyard.

Erected 1990 by Texas Historical Commission. (Marker Number 3241.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Cemeteries & Burial Sites • Fraternal or Sororal Organizations. A significant historical month for this entry is May 1885.

Location.

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32° 16.287′ N, 101° 28.551′ W. Marker is in Big Spring, Texas, in Howard County. Marker is on State Highway 350, 0.3 miles north of Interstate 20, on the left when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Big Spring TX 79720, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. St. Thomas Catholic Church (approx. 0.9 miles away); The J. & W. Fisher Company (approx. 1.2 miles away); Big Spring Hardware Company (approx. 1.2 miles away); A Historical Big Spring Meat Market (approx. 1.2 miles away); The Seventh Earl of Aylesford (approx. 1.3 miles away); Settles Hotel (approx. 1.3 miles away); Potton House (approx. 1.3 miles away); Howard County (approx. 1.4 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Big Spring.

Photographed By Bill Kirchner, July 11, 2015

2. Masonic Cemetery Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on August 2, 2015, by Bill Kirchner of Tucson, Arizona. This page has been viewed 413 times since then and 12 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on August 2, 2015, by Bill Kirchner of Tucson, Arizona. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.