Vina in Tehama County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)
Western Star Lodge No. 2 Free and Accepted Masons
Photographed by Andrew Ruppenstein, June 21, 2008
1. Masons Marker
This monument was erected on the 75th anniversary of the date of its charter May 10th 1923 by Western Star Lodge No. 2 F.& A.M. of Shasta, Calif.
The oldest Masonic Chapter in Calif.
Granted May 10th 1848 by the Grand Lodge of Missouri
to Sarshel Woods, W.M.
Lucien E. Stewart, S.W.
Peter Lassen, J.W.
to open a lodge at Benton City, Upper California.
Erected 1923 by Western Star Lodge No. 2 F.&A.M.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Fraternal or Sororal Organizations. A significant historical year for this entry is 1923.
Location. 39° 56.879′ N, 122° 3.243′ W. Marker is in Vina, California, in Tehama County. It is on State Highway 99 one mile north of South Avenue when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Vina CA 96092, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in California’s Sacramento Valley, specifically in the Central Valley, in the Shasta Cascade, and on the Coast Ranges. It is also on the American Pacific Coast. Globally, it is in North America, in the Cascade Range, on the Ring of Fire, in the Pacific
this page online
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 7 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Lassen Trail - Lassen Rancho Site (approx. one mile away); First Seat of Tehama County Government (approx. 6½ miles away); The Tehama Railroad Bridge (approx. 6.6 miles away); Tehama County Museum Foundation (approx. 6.6 miles away); Old Tehama County Jail (approx. 6.6 miles away); Maywood Woman's Clubhouse (approx. 6.7 miles away); The Hotel Maywood (approx. 6.8 miles away); Miners Inn (approx. 6.9 miles away).
More about this marker. Mounted on a cement monument on the west side of Highway 99, about one mile north of Vina.
Regarding Western Star Lodge No. 2 Free and Accepted Masons.
Peter Lassen (mentioned on the marker), was a pioneer rancher in northern California, who is best remembered for establishing the Lassen cutoff of the California trail. Lassen County, Mount Lassen, and Lassen Volcanic National Park all bear his name.
Benton
Photographed by Andrew Ruppenstein, June 21, 2008
2. Masons Marker and Monument
"Upper California" (mentioned on the marker) is the anglicized form of Alta California, the name for the colonial Spanish province mostly comprised of California and Nevada.
Related marker. Click here for another marker that is related to this marker. Subsequent to its founding in Benton City, Western Star Lodge No. 2 relocated to Shasta in May, 1851.
Also see . . . A History of Western Star Lodge #2. (Submitted on May 3, 2010.)
Photographed by Andrew Ruppenstein, June 21, 2008
3. Masons Marker
Looking south on Highway 99. The white sign in the distance indicates Deer Creek, upon whose opposite shore was situated Benton City (mentioned on the marker).
Credits. This page was last revised on April 17, 2026. It was originally submitted on May 3, 2010, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California. This page has been viewed 1,541 times since then and 14 times this year. Last updated on February 9, 2018, by Douglass Halvorsen of Klamath Falls, Oregon. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on May 3, 2010, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California.
