Wichita Falls in Wichita County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)

Wichita Falls Lodge No. 635, A.F. & A.M.

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, May 14, 2016

1. Wichita Falls Lodge No. 635, A.F. & A.M. Marker

Inscription. In November 1884 Masons living here who regularly made the 18-mile journey to Henrietta for meetings petitioned the Henrietta Masonic Lodge for a new lodge to be located in Wichita Falls. In December the Grand Lodge of Texas granted a dispensation for Wichita Lodge No. 635.

The first meeting of Wichita Lodge was January 5, 1885, in the hayloft over Soule’s livery stable. The original officers were W. J. McDonald, E. W. Foster, J. C. Blalock, W. N. Barker, C. E. Reid, W. E. Brothers, J. A. Williams, and J. S. Moody. After the original charter was lost in an 1892 fire, a new charter was issued with the name changed to Wichita Falls Lodge.

Over the years the Masons met in a succession of locations, including a rented room above a dry goods store, the Panhandle National Bank building, and the First National Bank building. A lodge building was erected at the corner of Tenth Street and Scott Avenue in 1915. A new building was completed in 1969.

Lodge members leveled the cornerstones of many buildings in Wichita Falls, including the city hall and fire station in 1908, first Presbyterian Church in 1913, Episcopal Church of

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the Good Shepherd in 1915 and the Wichita County Courthouse in 1916.
(1987)

Erected 1987 by Texas Historical Commission. (Marker Number 5804.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Fraternal or Sororal Organizations. A significant historical month for this entry is November 1884.

Location. 33° 52.967′ N, 98° 34.7′ W. Marker is in Wichita Falls, Texas, in Wichita County. It is on Barnett Road 0.2 miles north of Seymour Highway (Business U.S. 277), on the left when traveling north. Marker is located at the northeast corner of the subject building, facing east. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 3388 Barnett Road, Wichita Falls TX 76310, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Big Country.

Globally, it is in North America,

a Gulf of Mexico state,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain,

the Comanchería,

the Republic of Texas,

and one of the Confederate States of America.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 5 miles of this marker, measured as the crow

Wichita Falls Lodge No. 635, A.F. & A.M. Marker (<i>wide view; Lodge cornerstone beside marker</i>) image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, May 14, 2016

2. Wichita Falls Lodge No. 635, A.F. & A.M. Marker (wide view; Lodge cornerstone beside marker)

flies: Call Field (approx. 1.7 miles away); Zenobia Trimble (approx. 1.8 miles away); Joe and Lois Perkins Estate (approx. 3.7 miles away); Wichita Falls Woman's Forum (approx. 3.7 miles away); Wichita Falls Traction Company (approx. 3.9 miles away); Texan Santa Fe Expedition (approx. 4.3 miles away); Frank Kell (approx. 4½ miles away); Riverside Cemetery (approx. 4½ miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Wichita Falls.

Wichita Falls Lodge No. 635, A.F. & A.M. (<i>marker visible at northeast corner of building</i>) image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, May 14, 2016

3. Wichita Falls Lodge No. 635, A.F. & A.M. (marker visible at northeast corner of building)

Wichita Falls Lodge No. 635, A.F. & A.M., decorative gate image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, May 14, 2016

4. Wichita Falls Lodge No. 635, A.F. & A.M., decorative gate

Credits. This page was last revised on January 17, 2019. It was originally submitted on January 16, 2019, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 558 times since then and 44 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on January 16, 2019, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.