San Saba Lodge No. 612, A.F. & A.M.
San Saba, San Saba County, Texas
Marker Inscription
San Saba Masonic Lodge No. 612 arose out of a long history of Freemasonry in San Saba County. This lodge, chartered on December 11, 1885, was the successor to Lodge No. 225 that was disbanded in 1882 as a result of financial troubles and a perceived association with the San Saba Mob. The new lodge included 21 new members and distanced itself from associations to the infamous mob. At the turn of the 20th century, order membership had grown enough to construct a new two-story building at the 300 block of East Wallace Street. In this new building, the lodge continued their commitment to community service, helping to establish the first community library and equip the local post office. Unfortunately, a fire in 1909 destroyed the entire building, including records, challenging the lodge's survival. The members persevered and held meetings in Brother T.A. Murray's building while new construction began on the same site later that year. Despite periods of financial problems, particularly during the Great Depression, Lodge No. 612 maintained its commitment to charitable activities in local and national causes.Two lodges merged with San Saba Lodge; Bend Lodge No. 1124 in 1951 and Richland Springs Lodge No. 882 in 2011. These helped the lodge increase its membership and leadership. Its history reflects the challenges and prosperity of San Saba County. Lodge No. 512 remains active in the community, supporting public school education and upholding the Masonic tradition of "charity and fraternity." (2012)
Erected by Texas Historical Commission
The Story
Chartered in 1885, San Saba Lodge No. 612 rose directly from the disbanded Lodge No. 225, its founding members deliberately distancing themselves from the notorious 'San Saba Mob.' As membership grew, the lodge built a two-story hall on East Wallace Street, helped establish the town's first library, and equipped the post office—only to see fire destroy the building and its records in 1909. Rebuilt on the same site, the lodge weathered the Depression and later absorbed two neighboring lodges while continuing its charitable work.
Why it matters
It shows the persistence of small-town civic institutions in central Texas, rebuilding through fire, financial hardship, and scandal to sustain community life.
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Related people
- · T. A. Murray
Themes & tags
Nearby & related markers
San Saba Lodge No. 225, A. F. & A. M.
San Saba, TX
Freemasonry ran through the founding of San Saba County, whose organizers were largely Masons; when the first courthouse rose in 1857, the county let them meet there. San Saba Lodge No. 225 received its charter in 1859, drawing county officials, Texas Rangers, and frontier settlers, and its members promptly built a combined school and lodge hall—seeding the San Saba Masonic College chartered in 1863. Financial strain during Reconstruction and a damaging association with the vigilante 'San Saba Mob' led the lodge to surrender its charter in 1882.
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