Athens in Henderson County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)
Athens Lodge No. 165 A.F. & A.M.
The first official meeting of the Athens lodge occurred on April 4, 1854, above a store on the Athens public square owned by John P. Walton, who became the lodge's first master. For the first two years, the lodge operated under a dispensation from the Grand Lodge of Texas. The lodge began with eleven Master Masons, but by 1856 membership had increased to fifty-two, and a charter was obtained from the Grand Lodge on January 24, 1856.
Lodge members contributed to the development of Henderson County in the areas of business, finance, education, healthcare, agriculture, law and public service. Through the years, members of the Athens Masonic lodge helped to establish lodges in the neighboring communities of Science Hill, New York, Malakoff, Chandler, Brownsboro and Eustace.
Lodge membership remained steady through Reconstruction, and then doubled during the 1880s, and during the prosperous 1920s a membership of 200 Masons was attained. By 1955, over 350 Masons called the lodge home, and membership remained relatively level through the 1970s. Although Masonic membership has decreased throughout the state since the late 20th century, the Athens Lodge No. 165 A.F. & A.M. continues to serve the community as a leading Henderson County institution.
Erected 2010 by Texas Historical Commission. (Marker Number 16460.)
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Fraternal or Sororal Organizations.
Location. 32° 11.801′ N, 95° 49.652′ W. Marker is in Athens, Texas, in Henderson County. Marker is on East Corsicana Street (U.S. 175) 0.2 miles west of East College Street, on the right when traveling east. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 2030 East Corsicana Street, Athens TX 75751, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Athens (approx. 1˝ miles away); J.B. Henry (approx. 1˝ miles away); Machinery From First Factory in Athens (approx. 1˝ miles away); Henderson County (approx. 1˝ miles away); Henderson County Pottery Industry (approx. 1˝ miles away); First Baptist Church of Athens (approx. 1˝ miles away); Henderson County C.S.A. (approx. 1˝ miles away); The Athens Review (approx. 1.7 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Athens.
Credits. This page was last revised on April 2, 2023. It was originally submitted on April 1, 2023, by Jeff Leichsenring of Garland, Texas. This page has been viewed 103 times since then and 38 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on April 1, 2023, by Jeff Leichsenring of Garland, Texas. • James Hulse was the editor who published this page.