Near Hondo in Medina County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)

Masonic Cemetery

of Hondo Valley Lodge No. 252, A.F.& A.M.

Photographed By James Hulse, August 23, 2020

1. Masonic Cemetery Marker

Inscription. Click to hear the inscription.

In 1859, a decade after Medina County was created, Freemasons and others in the New Fountain Settlement built a 2-story stone church-lodge hall at this site.

Hondo Valley Lodge No. 252, A.F. & A.M., was chartered in 1860. The Masonic Cemetery was opened here in 1864 when Junior Warden Rubin Smith was killed by Indians.

Masons and members of their families rest here in 22 graves. By an unexplained circumstance, Masonic emblem is upside down on 2 headstones. Hondo Valley Lodge, demised in 1883, was parent of Devine Lodge No. 590 and Hondo City Lodge No. 756, A.F. & A.M.

Erected 1973 by State Historical Survey Committee. (Marker Number 3242.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Cemeteries & Burial Sites. A significant historical year for this entry is 1859.

Location. 29° 22.394′ N, 99° 4.972′ W. Marker is near Hondo, Texas, in Medina County. Marker is on CR 4526, one mile south of FM 2676, on the left when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Hondo TX 78861, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 4 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Early New Fountain Community (approx. 1.8

Masonic Cemetery and Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By James Hulse, August 23, 2020

2. Masonic Cemetery and Marker

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miles away); New Fountain United Methodist Church (approx. 1.8 miles away); Lon Moore (approx. 3.3 miles away); Quihi Bethlehem Lutheran Church Cemetery (approx. 3½ miles away); Bethlehem Lutheran Church (approx. 3½ miles away); a different marker also named Bethlehem Lutheran Church (approx. 3½ miles away); Vandenburg (approx. 3.6 miles away); Town of Quihi (approx. 3.6 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Hondo.

Also see . . . Killing of Rubin Smith. (Submitted on September 1, 2020, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.)

Photographed By James Hulse, August 23, 2020

3. Masonic Cemetery and Marker

Tombstone of Rubin Smith with upside down Masonic symbol image. Click for full size.

Photographed By James Hulse, August 23, 2020

4. Tombstone of Rubin Smith with upside down Masonic symbol

Credits. This page was last revised on September 1, 2020. It was originally submitted on August 29, 2020, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas. This page has been viewed 113 times since then and 30 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on August 29, 2020, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas. 4. submitted on September 1, 2020, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas. • J. Makali Bruton was the editor who published this page.