Near Prospect in Giles County, Tennessee — The American South (East South Central)
Bethel Masonic Lodge / Bethel: Giles County, Tennessee
Photographed By Lee Hattabaugh, November 10, 2022
1. Bethel Masonic Lodge / Bethel: Giles County, Tennessee Marker
Completed in 1850 as a joint effort of local Masons and Methodists, Bethel's Masonic Lodge has served as a church, school, and community center. The building survived an assault by Federal soldiers in 1862 and a 1954 fire that destroyed most of Bethel's downtown. The founder and first Worshipful Master of Masonic Chapter, 194 F. & A.M., Elihu Edmundson, also served as Grand Master of the State of Tennessee and other high offices of the order.
Bethel: Giles County, Tennessee
Founded circa 1815 with a store and blacksmith shop, William R. Brown, known as "Good Billy" built Bethel's first church, a log structure, in 1817. In 1900, the Methodist(s) erected a new church a short distance from the original site. At one time Bethel had four stores, a cotton gin, a post office, garage, doctor's office, pharmacy, and school. After fire destroyed Bethel's commercial district on July 3, 1954, the town never rebuilt the district.
Erected 2022 by Tennessee Historical Commission. (Marker Number 3F 50.)
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Disasters • Fraternal or Sororal Organizations • Settlements & Settlers • War, US Civil.
Location. 35°
this page online
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 7 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Dr. Louie Edmundson (within shouting distance of this marker); Cunningham Cemetery (approx. 5.1 miles away in Alabama); Dupree Cemetery (approx. 5.6 miles away in Alabama); Sim Corder/Harrison Mill (approx. 6.3 miles away in Alabama); Pettusville (approx. 6.7 miles away in Alabama); Commerce (approx. 6.8 miles away in Alabama); Downtown Scenes (approx. 6.8 miles away in Alabama); Elkmont Pride: Family-School-Church (approx. 6.8 miles away in Alabama).
Photographed By Lee Hattabaugh, November 10, 2022
2. Bethel Masonic Lodge / Bethel: Giles County, Tennessee Marker
Photographed By Lee Hattabaugh, November 10, 2022
3. Bethel Masonic Lodge / Bethel: Giles County, Tennessee Marker
looking north along Turner Road
Photographed By Lee Hattabaugh, November 10, 2022
4. Bethel Masonic Lodge / Bethel: Giles County, Tennessee Marker
looking south along Turner Road. Intersection with Alsup Road and part of the community of Bethel in the background.
Photographed By Lee Hattabaugh, November 10, 2022
5. Bethel Masonic Lodge 194
Credits. This page was last revised on November 23, 2022. It was originally submitted on November 22, 2022, by Lee Hattabaugh of Capshaw, Alabama. This page has been viewed 188 times since then and 51 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on November 22, 2022, by Lee Hattabaugh of Capshaw, Alabama. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.
