Ladonia in Fannin County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)

Bethel Lodge No. 134 A.F. & A.M.

Photographed by James Hulse, September 28, 2023

1. Bethel Lodge No. 134 A.F. & A.M. Marker

Inscription. Operating under a dispensation issued in 1853, this organization was formally chartered by the Grand Lodge of Texas in 1854. Wesley C. Walker served as the first Worshipful Master. The membership, like the general population of the area, was comprised of pioneer settlers, many of whom migrated to the new state of Texas from the older states of the south. Early meetings were conducted in a lodge hall at the Rehoboth community (6 mi. SW) in Fannin County.

Bethel Lodge relocated to Ladonia in the 1870s. Meetings were first held on the west side of town but were moved here after a fire destroyed the early lodge hall, the group leased meeting space at this location from 1896 until 1912, when it purchased the structure. The building served the organization until members voted to have it razed and replaced with a new hall in 1957. Four years later, Yowell Lodge No. 858 merged with Bethel.

Since the Ante Bellum days of Fannin County, Bethel Lodge No. 134 has played an important role in the development of the area. Its members have included leaders in civic activities and in regional and state Masonic programs.

Erected 1988 by Texas Historical Commission. (Marker Number 8840.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Fraternal or Sororal Organizations. A significant historical year for this entry is 1853.

Location. 33° 25.568′ N, 95° 56.785′ W. Marker is in Ladonia, Texas, in Fannin County. It is at the intersection of East Paris Street (State Highway 34) and East Side Plaza on East Paris Street. The marker is located on the north side of the lodge. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 10 East Side Plaza, Ladonia TX 75449, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the Prairies & Lakes Region.

It is also in the American South.

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Globally, it is in North America,

a Gulf of Mexico state,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain,

the Republic of Texas,

one of the Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 7 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Ladonia Presbyterian Church Building (within shouting distance of this marker); Ladonia Veterans Memorial (within shouting distance of this marker); Ladonia (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Ladonia Cemetery (about 600 feet away); Ladonia Baptist Church World War I Memorial (approx. ¼ mile away); First Baptist Church of Ladonia (approx. ¼ mile away); Little Bethel Baptist Church (approx. 0.6 miles away); Site of Bartley-Woods School (approx. 6½ miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Ladonia.

Also see . . . Ladonia, TX. Texas State Historical Association (TSHA) (Submitted on October 9, 2023, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.)

The view of the Bethel Lodge No. 134 A.F. & A.M. and Marker from the street image. Click for full size.

Photographed by James Hulse, September 28, 2023

2. The view of the Bethel Lodge No. 134 A.F. & A.M. and Marker from the street

Credits. This page was last revised on October 9, 2023. It was originally submitted on October 9, 2023, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas. This page has been viewed 253 times since then and 35 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on October 9, 2023, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.