Humble Lodge No. 979, A.F. & A.M.
Humble, Harris County, Texas
Marker Inscription
Near the turn of the century, the town of Humble was home to many Masons who were members of lodges located in nearby towns. With the help of local Justice of the Peace F. K. Wise, Humble area Masons organized their own lodge in 1908. Humble State Bank president and future Texas Governor Ross Sterling (1875-1949) provided meeting facilities in the bank building which formerly stood at this site. After the bank burned in 1912, the Masons bought the property and built a new lodge hall. The Masons have been active in civic programs over the years.
Erected by Texas Historical Commission
The Story
Around the turn of the 20th century, Humble's Masons still belonged to lodges in neighboring towns until, with help from Justice of the Peace F. K. Wise, they chartered their own lodge in 1908. They first met in the bank building of Ross Sterling — future Texas governor — and after a 1912 fire bought the property to build their own hall. The lodge remained active in civic affairs for decades.
Why it matters
Fraternal lodges were pillars of civic life in booming oil-era Texas towns, and this one's ties to a future governor show how local institutions and public leadership intertwined.
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Related people
- · F. K. Wise
- · Ross Sterling
Themes & tags
Nearby & related markers
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