Freeport in Brazoria County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)
Velasco Lodge No. 757, A.F. & A.M.
Photographed By Chris Kneupper
1. Velasco Lodge No. 757, A. F. & A. M. Marker
A part of Brazoria County history for more than a century, Velasco Lodge No. 757, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, was granted a charter from the Grand Lodge of Texas on December 8, 1893. R. E. Murrell served as First Worshipful Master.
The members' first lodge hall, located near the mouth of the Brazos River in the Velasco townsite, was severely damaged in the disastrous hurricane which struck the Gulf coast in 1900. The Masons met in a number of locations in the vicinity for many years, including a lumberyard building owned by J. T. Dingle and the Velasco schoolhouse. The lodge rented the Velasco hotel's powerhouse building from E. D. Dorchester from 1911 to 1922, when the Freeport Sulphur Company donated land in downtown Freeport. A two-story hall was built at the corner of Broad Street and Park Avenue, which served the lodge until a new facility was built at this site in 1979.
Velasco Lodge has been involved in many civic and philanthropic endeavors, including the establishment stones on public buildings, and support of educational activities.
Erected 1994 by Texas Historical Commission. (Marker Number 9609.)
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Fraternal or Sororal Organizations. A significant historical date for this entry is December 8, 1893.
Location.
this page online
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Four Miles Southeast to the Original Town of Velasco (approx. 0.9 miles away); Site of Town of Old Velasco (approx. one mile away); Freeport Veterans Memorial Park (approx. 1.1 miles away); In Memory of those Who Made the Supreme Sacrifice - World War I - World War II - Korean Conflict (approx. 1.1 miles away); Velasco Cemetery (approx. 1.1 miles away); Colonel Robert M. Coleman (approx. 1.1 miles away); Velasco Methodist Church (approx. 1.1 miles away); R. O'Hara Lanier School (approx. 1.3 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Freeport.
Photographed By Chris Kneupper
2. Velasco Lodge No. 757, A. F. & A. M. Marker
Photographed By Chris Kneupper
3. Builder's stone embedded in the lodge building
Photographed By Chris Kneupper
4. An additional marker on the building near the front door
Credits. This page was last revised on March 26, 2021. It was originally submitted on March 26, 2021, by Chris Kneupper of Brazoria, Texas. This page has been viewed 226 times since then and 35 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on March 26, 2021, by Chris Kneupper of Brazoria, Texas. • J. Makali Bruton was the editor who published this page.
