Shasta in Shasta County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)

Western Star Lodge No. 2

Photographed By Karen Key, May 25, 2007

1. Western Star Lodge No. 2 Marker

Inscription. Oldest Chartered Masonic Lodge in California
Free and Accepted Masons
Originally chartered by the most worshipful Grand Lodge of Missouri, A F and A M
May 10th AL5848 (1848)
Dedicated in due and ancient form this 10th day of May AL5998 (1998) by the most worshipful Grand Lodge of California F & AM
Anthony P. Wordlow – Grand Master
1998 Western Star Lodge No. 2
Patrick R. Casady – Master
John R. Murry – Senior Warden
Ronald L. Craddock – Junior Warden
Sesquicentennial
150 years of Masonry in California
Donated by Redding Cemetery

Erected 1998 by Redding Cemetery.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Fraternal or Sororal Organizations. A significant historical month for this entry is May 1862.

Location. 40° 35.908′ N, 122° 29.465′ W. Marker is in Shasta, California, in Shasta County. Marker is on Highway 299 near Mackley Alley, on the right when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 15344 State Highway 299 W, Shasta CA 96087, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least

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5 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. A different marker also named Western Star Lodge No. 2 (a few steps from this marker); Southside Ruins (within shouting distance of this marker); Noble’s Trail (within shouting distance of this marker); Survivors of the Gold Rush (within shouting distance of this marker); “Stage Drivers’ Plaque” (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Shasta.

Also see . . . Shasta State Historic Park. Plaque and building is next to the park. (Submitted on June 10, 2007, by Karen Key of Sacramento, California.)

Additional commentary.
1. Text on Photo No. 5
The oldest Masonic lodge in the State of California. Chartered by the most worshipful Grand lodge of Missouri on the 10th of May 1848.

This building was dedicated on Saint John’s day, the 27th of December 1854 and has been in continuous use by the lodge ever since.

After the “Great Fire of June 14th 1853 when most of the City of Shasta was Destroyed, the lodge lost all of its possessions, save its Missouri

Western Star Lodge No. 2 and Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Karen Key, May 25, 2007

2. Western Star Lodge No. 2 and Marker

charter, and continued to meet in the upper floor of Dr. Benjamin Shurtlett’s home which stood on a hill west of Town from 1851 to 1867 when it was lost to fire. On the 4th of December, 1854, the lodge trustees purchased the upper floor of this building, the street level being the Norton & Tucker general merchandise. In 1857 the lodge acquired ownership of the entire building.

The Western Star Masonic Hall Association Inc. owns & maintains this property and also a cemetery founded 1864, The Shasta Masonic Cemetery, located at 11471 Mule Town Road, Southwest of Town.

— Submitted June 10, 2007.

Western Star Lodge No. 2 image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Karen Key, May 25, 2007

3. Western Star Lodge No. 2

Sign over right door image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Karen Key, May 25, 2007

4. Sign over right door

Sign between doors image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Karen Key, May 25, 2007

5. Sign between doors

Sign over left door image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Karen Key, May 25, 2007

6. Sign over left door

Photographed By Karen Key, May 25, 2007

7. Western Star Lodge No. 2

Credits. This page was last revised on August 29, 2020. It was originally submitted on June 10, 2007, by Karen Key of Sacramento, California. This page has been viewed 2,548 times since then and 57 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7. submitted on June 10, 2007, by Karen Key of Sacramento, California. • J. J. Prats was the editor who published this page.