Port Royal in Montgomery County, Tennessee — The American South (East South Central)
Masonic Lodge & General Store
1859
Photographed by Tom Bosse, October 2, 2026
1. Masonic Lodge and General Store Marker
This building was constructed in 1859 for the new Hampton Lodge, Free & Accepted Masons No. 137. The Masons occupied the upper story and leased the lower floor to merchants. Herbert Lewis and Nathan Turner ran the first store in this building under the firm name "Lewis & Turner". Many other merchants occupied the store over the years. The last merchant was Solon Carden, who ran a store here until 1955. The State of Tennessee acquired this building in 1977 as headquarters for Port Royal State Historic Park. Restoration efforts began in 2018.
Erected by Port Royal State Historic Park.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Fraternal or Sororal Organizations • Industry & Commerce • Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical year for this entry is 1859.
Location. 36° 33.237′ N, 87° 8.533′ W. Marker is in Port Royal, Tennessee, in Montgomery County. It is at the intersection of Old Clarksville Springfield Road and Port Royal Road (Tennessee Road 238), on the right when traveling east on Old Clarksville Springfield Road. Marker is located at the Port Royal State Historic Park. Touch for map.
this page online
Regionally, this marker is in Middle Tennessee and in the Highland Rim. It is also in the American South and specifically in the Upper South. Globally, it is in North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture, one of the Confederate States of America, and the Antebellum South.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Port Royal (here, next to this marker); The Town of Port Royal (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named Port Royal (within shouting distance of this marker); Historic Port Royal (within shouting distance of this marker); General Store (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named General Store (within shouting distance of this marker); Blacksmith Shop & Warehouse (within shouting distance of this marker); The Enslaved at Port Royal (within shouting distance
Photographed by Tom Bosse, October 2, 2026
2. Masonic Lodge and General Store Marker
Another marker is no longer nearby. 1859 Masonic Lodge & General Store (was here, next to this marker but has been confirmed missing).
Also see . . . Port Royal State Park. (Submitted on October 31, 2026, by Tom Bosse of Jefferson City, Tennessee.)
Photographed by Tom Bosse, October 2, 2026
3. Masonic Lodge and General Store
Credits. This page was last revised on November 4, 2026. It was originally submitted on October 31, 2026, by Tom Bosse of Jefferson City, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 5 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on October 31, 2026, by Tom Bosse of Jefferson City, Tennessee. • James Hulse was the editor who published this page.
