Austin Lodge No. 12, A.F. & A.M.
Austin, Travis County, Texas
Marker Inscription
Master masons gathered at the home of Edwin Waller, surveyor of the townsite of Austin, on Oct. 11, 1839, one week before President Mirabeau B. Lamar arrived to set up government in the new Republic of Texas capital. Grand master Branch Archer authorized the organization of Austin Lodge No. 12 on Nov. 7, 1839. Alexander Russell was the first worshipful master. Many prominent Texans have been members of this body. Edward Burleson, who served as vice president of the Republic of Texas, was a lodge officer. His burial with Masonic honors in 1851 was the first interment in the State Cemetery. Two Texas governors, Edward Clark and Harden R. Runnels, were members of the lodge. In the early years, meetings were held at various sites. A fire in 1866 destroyed the lodge's quarters and burned some of its records. In 1883 members moved into the new Masonic temple at 7th and Colorado. The Scottish Rite Temple at 18th and Lavaca served as the meeting place from 1923 to 1968, when the lodge moved to a new facility on Bull Creek Road. During its history, Austin Lodge No. 12 has responded to human need in times of natural disaster. Members have participated in the dedications of a number of Austin's public buildings and church structures. (1979)
Erected by Texas Historical Commission
The Story
Master Masons met at surveyor Edwin Waller's home on October 11, 1839, just a week before President Mirabeau B. Lamar arrived to establish the government of the Republic of Texas in its new capital. Grand Master Branch Archer authorized Austin Lodge No. 12 that November, with Alexander Russell as its first worshipful master. Its rolls read like a roster of early Texas leadership — vice president Edward Burleson, whose 1851 Masonic burial was the first in the State Cemetery, and governors Edward Clark and Hardin R. Runnels among them.
Why it matters
Founded in the same weeks as the capital itself, Austin Lodge No. 12 shows how fraternal orders wove together the leadership and civic life of the fledgling Republic of Texas.
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Related people
- · Edwin Waller
- · Mirabeau B. Lamar
- · Branch Archer
- · Alexander Russell
- · Edward Burleson
- · Edward Clark
- · Hardin R. Runnels
Themes & tags
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