Grand Lodge of Texas, A.F. & A.M.

The first attempt to establish freemasonry in Texas occurred in 1828 when Stephen F. Austin and a group of Masons petitioned the Mexican National Grand Lodge for a Lodge Charter. Due to the political upheaval of the time, nothing became of the petition. Five Master Masons met in Brazoria in March 1835 and sent a petition to Grand Master John H. Holland of Lousiana asking for a charter to form a lodge in Texas. The charter was delivered to Anson Jones, who carried it during the Battle of San Jacinto. Holland Lodge was located in Houston and by 1837 was joined by Milam Lodge in Nacogdoches and McFarland Lodge in San Augustine. On December 20, 1837, the three lodges met in convention and created the Grand Lodge of the Republic of Texas. Sam Houston presided at the convention, and Anson Jones was elected First Grand Master. The Grand Lodge met in various locations before permanently locating in Waco in 1902. Masons were at the forefront of Texas history. Twenty-two of the signers of the Texas Declaration of Independence were Masons. Members of the organization defended the Alamo and fought at the Battle of San Jacinto. All of the presidents and vice presidents of the Republic of Texas were Masons.

Grand Lodge of Texas, A.F. & A.M. is a historical marker in Waco, McLennan County, dedicated in 1987. It is one of 198 historical markers documented in McLennan County in the Texas Historical Commission Atlas, among 224 historic sites cataloged across the county.

The site sits at 31.5566, -97.1361 near Waco. The nearest cataloged historic site is Saint Paul's Episcopal Church (historical marker), about 0.2 miles away. Others within a short drive include Waco Springs, Site of the Waco Indian Village, McLennan County Courthouse, and The Courthouses of McLennan County.

This record corresponds to Texas Historical Commission Atlas #5309002248. Use the map below for its exact position and turn-by-turn directions.