Boerne Chapter No. 200, O.E.S.
Boerne, Kendall County, Texas
Marker Inscription
The foundations of the Order of the Eastern Star began in the 1840s and, by 1867, developed into a system of local chapters. Eastern Star is dedicated to the principles of truth, charity, and loving kindness. Organized in June 1910, the Boerne chapter had membership of twenty women and men when chartered on October 11, 1911. Many members belonged to pioneer families of the area. Virgil (Taylor) Calrow, the wife of a Rough Rider and Texas Ranger, was the first Worthy Matron. The chapter contributes to local charities and awards scholarships to graduating seniors. Supporting Masonic youth, in 1952 the chapter helped organize Assembly #229, Order of Rainbow for girls. (2012)
Erected by Texas Historical Commission
The Story
The Order of the Eastern Star, a Masonic-affiliated body open to women and men and devoted to truth, charity, and kindness, took root in Boerne with a chapter organized in June 1910 and chartered on October 11, 1911, with twenty founding members drawn from local pioneer families. Its first Worthy Matron was Virgil Calrow, wife of a Rough Rider and Texas Ranger. The chapter has long supported local charities, awarded scholarships, and in 1952 helped organize a local Order of Rainbow assembly for girls.
Why it matters
The chapter reflects the fraternal and women's civic organizations that structured social life and charitable work in small Texas towns in the early twentieth century.
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Related people
- · Virgil (Taylor) Calrow
Themes & tags
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Masons in Boerne worked toward a lodge from 1904, and the Grand Lodge of Texas chartered Kendall Lodge No. 897 in December 1905. After fire destroyed their hall in 1908, members met in the county courthouse and then the Calrow Building before settling into a new home in 1969. In 1911 local women chartered Boerne Chapter No. 200 of the Order of the Eastern Star, and both bodies have long supported the community.
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