Caldwell in Burleson County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)
Warren Lodge No. 56, A.F. & A.M.
During 1849 the lodge initiated at least nine apprentice Masons including M.M. Hitchcock, future sheriff; Spencer Rice, future contractor of the 1853 county courthouse; and George B. Erath, the surveyor who platted Caldwell, sponsored legislation creating Burleson County and later served in the Texas Senate.
The lodge was chartered in 1850 as Warren Lodge No. 56. Though the reason for the name change is unknown, local lore states that the lodge was named for Dr. Joseph Warren, a well-known Freemason of Massachusetts.
The Masons built their own lodge in 1854. In 1890 they established a Masonic Cemetery open to the public south of town. They leveled the cornerstone of the new courthouse in 1889 amid full Masonic ceremonies. The lodge met soon after the full moon each month until 1930, when automobiles made night travel more feasible and they began meeting the second Thursday of each month. The Masonic Cemetery was deeded to a private cemetery association in 1950. Warren Lodge No. 56 continues to be active in Burleson County community service.
Erected 2000 by Texas Historical Commission. (Marker Number 11771.)
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Fraternal or Sororal Organizations. A significant historical month for this entry is October 1848.
Location. 30° 31.852′ N, 96° 41.619′ W. Marker is in Caldwell, Texas, in Burleson County. Marker is at the intersection of West Buck Street and South Hill Street, on the left when traveling west on West Buck Street. The marker is located on the front wall of the building. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 213 West Buck Street, Caldwell TX 77836, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Caldwell National Bank (within shouting distance of this marker); Burleson County in World War II (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); City of Caldwell (about 400 feet away); Burleson County (about 400 feet away); John Mitchell (about 500 feet away); Early Settlers of Burleson County in the Texas War for Independence (about 500 feet away); Burleson County, C.S.A. (about 500 feet away); First United Methodist Church (about 600 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Caldwell.
Also see . . . Freemasonry. Wikipedia
Freemasonry or Masonry refers to fraternal organisations that trace their origins to the local guilds of stonemasons that, from the end of the 13th century, regulated the qualifications of stonemasons and their interaction with authorities and clients. Modern Freemasonry broadly consists of two main recognition groups:(Submitted on August 18, 2022, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.)
Regular Freemasonry insists that a volume of scripture be open in a working lodge, that every member profess belief in a Supreme Being, that no women be admitted, and that the discussion of religion and politics be banned.
Continental Freemasonry consists of the jurisdictions that have removed some, or all, of these restrictions.
Credits. This page was last revised on August 18, 2022. It was originally submitted on August 18, 2022, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas. This page has been viewed 131 times since then and 23 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on August 18, 2022, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.