Auraria in Denver in Denver County, Colorado — The American Mountains (Southwest)
Site of the First Gathering of Freemasons in Colorado
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, August 7, 2022
1. Site of the First Gathering of Freemasons in Colorado Marker
Auraria is the site of the first informal gathering of Freemasons in what is now Colorado in Fall of 1858 and the first regular communication of Freemasons in the Territory of Colo. on October 1, 1859. These Freemasons were gold seekers. The search for gold is the story of early Colo. and the story of early Colorado is the story of Colorado Freemasonry.
Erected and dedicated
by the M. W. Grand Lodge
of Colorado A. F. & A. M.
August 5, 1989
M. W. Dwight A. Hamilton
Grand Master
Erected 1989 by M. W. Grand Lodge of Colorado A.F. & A.M.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Fraternal or Sororal Organizations • Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical date for this entry is October 1, 1859.
Location. 39° 44.85′ N, 105° 0.202′ W. Marker is in Denver, Colorado, in Denver County. It is in Auraria. It is at the intersection of Auraria Parkway and 12th Street, on the right when traveling east on Auraria Parkway. Marker is located beside the sidewalk at the southeast corner of the intersection. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1355 12th Street, Denver CO 80204, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in Colorado’s Front Range. It is also in the American Mountain West. Globally, it is in North America, the Rocky Mountains, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Louisiana Purchase.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: The Rocky Mountain News (about 600 feet away, measured in a direct
this page online
Also see . . .
1. The Start Of Freemasonry In Colorado.
Late in the year 1858 a number of gold miners had gathered at the junction of Cherry Creek and the Platte River, on land which was then a part of the Territory of Kansas, but which now is within the State of Colorado. This settlement was known as Auraria, and by the first of November a number of cabins had been erected there. On the evening of November 3, 1858, seven Masons, including William M. Slaughter, held an informal meeting in one of those cabins; and throughout the following winter these brethren and others continued to meet from time to time, having in mind the formation(Submitted on August 9, 2022, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)of a new Masonic Lodge at Auraria.Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, August 7, 20222. Site of the First Gathering of Freemasons in Colorado Marker(University of Colorado Denver Student Wellness Center in background)
2. Masonry came to Colorado 1858 1956.
In the fall of 1859, or as winter was closing in on them, many of the miners went out of the mountain or mining districts. Rumors had been circulated that men could not stand the severity of a mountain winter. Another year, and it was known that such stories were greatly exaggerated. Some went back to the "States" for the winter, but most of them stopped off at Auraria, Denver City or Golden. The Masons then resumed at Auraria the weekly meetings which had been interrupted by the rush to the Gregory Diggings. On October 1, 1859, more than forty Masons assembled in the hall of Auraria Lodge to witness and participate in the first regular communication of Masons in the Territory known as Colorado. The meeting was held on the second floor of a new two-story frame building on Ferry Street which had just been erected by Abraham Jacobs, a member of the Lodge.(Submitted on August 9, 2022, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)
Credits. This page was last revised on February 7, 2023. It was originally submitted on August 9, 2022, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 1,169 times since then and 121 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on August 9, 2022, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.
