Grass Valley in Nevada County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)

Madison Lodge No. 23 F. & A.M.

1852 – 2002

— Masonry in Grass Valley —

Madison Lodge No. 23 F. & A.M. Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Syd Whittle, October 9, 2011

1. Madison Lodge No. 23 F. & A.M. Marker

Inscription. Madison Lodge #23 was established under dispensation from the Grand Lodge of California on May 4th 1852. Its permanent charter was issued on May 5th 1853. Madison Lodge held its first two meetings at the old Columbus School on the present site of Hennessy School. The Lodge moved to a building on the south side of Main St. where it now meets Auburn St. This wooden building was destroyed along with most of Grass Valley in the great fire of September 12 and 13, 1855. A few days later, the Masons met with the Odd Fellows to select a site for a new brick building to house both organizations at 110 Mill St. This building was Madison’s home for nearly 73 years, until fire destroyed the Masonic portion of the building in December 1928. For the next nine years the Lodge met in the auditorium of the old Strand Theater at 161 Mill St. During this time, planning was being completed for out present building, which saw its first meeting on January 29, 1938. For 150 years, in both good times and bad, through 7 wars and a great depression, the Masonic spirit of Brotherly Love, Relief and Truth has continued on through our brethren of honorable

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men of all backgrounds, professions and faiths. This plaque was set on 9 May 2002 in rededication ceremonies conducted by C. Ray Whitaker, Grand Master of Masons in California and Elmer B. Curtis, Master of Madison Lodge.

Erected 2002 by Masons of California and Madison Lodge No. 23.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Fraternal or Sororal Organizations. A significant historical month for this entry is January 1774.

Location. 39° 13.043′ N, 121° 3.801′ W. Marker is in Grass Valley, California, in Nevada County. It is at the intersection of South Auburn Street and Bank Street, on the right when traveling south on South Auburn Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 126 South Auburn Street, Grass Valley CA 95945, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the Sierra Nevada.

It is also in the American Mountain West.

Globally, it is in North America,

on the Ring of Fire,

on the Pacific Rim,

in the Western Hemisphere,

in the Western World,

and in the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain

and also Mexico’s Alta California.

Madison Lodge No. 23 image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Syd Whittle, October 9, 2011

2. Madison Lodge No. 23

Marker is visible mounted on the far left corner of the building.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: The First Woman's Christian Temperance Union (within shouting distance of this marker); Grass Valley Library (within shouting distance of this marker); Historic Emmanuel Episcopal Church (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Grass Valley Hardware (about 500 feet away); Edward Coleman House (about 500 feet away); The Old Post Office (about 500 feet away); Lola Montez 1819 - 1861 (about 600 feet away); The Alpha Building (about 700 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Grass Valley.

Madison Lodge No. 23 - 1937 Dedication Plaque image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Syd Whittle, October 9, 2011

3. Madison Lodge No. 23 - 1937 Dedication Plaque

Credits. This page was last revised on December 9, 2024. It was originally submitted on October 24, 2011, by Syd Whittle of Mesa, Arizona. This page has been viewed 1,087 times since then and 60 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on October 24, 2011, by Syd Whittle of Mesa, Arizona.