Nacogdoches in Nacogdoches County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)
Milam Lodge #2, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons of Texas
Original members included Isaac W. Burton, Kelsey Douglass, Haden Edwards, John H. Hyde, John W. Lowe, George A. Nixon, John S. Roberts, Adolphus Sterne and Frost Thorne. The newly constituted lodge first met in the Old Stone Fort for three consecutive nights following the chartering ceremony. Charles S. Taylor, a signer of the Texas Declaration of Independence, and Thomas J. Rusk, soldier and statesman, were initiated into the lodge that week. Many other significant men in the Republic of Texas were members of Milam Lodge. The Holland, Milam and McFarland Lodges (renumbered No. 1, 2 and 3) organized the Grand Lodge of Texas in December 1837.
Promoting education was one of the chief community activities of Freemasons in Texas; the Milam Lodge helped establish and operate Nacogdoches University in 1845. The lodge also supported several local churches and new lodges in cities across Texas. Milam Lodge met in a number of facilities over the years, using its entire building fund to buy war bonds during World War I before finally building its own home in 1931. The Milam Lodge's tradition of community service and charity continues to this day.
Erected 2008 by Texas Historical Commission. (Marker Number 14133.)
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Fraternal or Sororal Organizations • War, Texas Independence. A significant historical month for this entry is December 1837.
Location. 31° 36.243′ N, 94° 39.239′ W. Marker is in Nacogdoches, Texas, in Nacogdoches County. Marker is on Fredonia Street south of West Hospital Street, on the left when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 129 North Fredonia Street, Nacogdoches TX 75961, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. The Daily Sentinel (a few steps from this marker); Space Shuttle Columbia Memorial (within shouting distance of this marker); Storytellers (within shouting distance of this marker); Original Location of Sacred Heart Catholic Church (within shouting distance of this marker); The Fredonia Hotel (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); First United Methodist Church of Nacogdoches (about 300 feet away); The Roland Jones House (about 300 feet away); Diedrich Anton Wilhelm Rulfs (about 300 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Nacogdoches.
Credits. This page was last revised on April 25, 2023. It was originally submitted on April 11, 2010, by Steve Gustafson of Lufkin, Texas. This page has been viewed 1,611 times since then and 95 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on April 25, 2023, by Jeff Leichsenring of Garland, Texas. 2, 3, 4. submitted on April 11, 2010, by Steve Gustafson of Lufkin, Texas. • Syd Whittle was the editor who published this page.