San Saba Lodge No. 612, A.F. & A.M.

Organized Masonry in Texas had a rough start. In 1828 Stephen F. Austin and six others petitioned the Grand York Lodge of Mexico for a charter, but the petition vanished. In 1835 Anson Jones and five others met secretly under the Masonic Oak near Brazoria, and Holland Lodge No. 36 first met that December 27, only to lose its records to Urrea's army. In December 1837, with President Sam Houston presiding, delegates of three lodges organized the Grand Lodge of the Republic of Texas at Houston. Masons soon filled some 80 percent of the republic's higher offices.

What the plaque says

San Saba Lodge No. 612, A.F. & A.M. 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)

Where it stands

Worth the stop nearby

• Colorado Bend State Park — 17 mi
  Old ranch country on the Colorado above Lake Buchanan, where a spring-fed creek drops 70 feet over fern-covered travertine at Gorman Falls.

More markers nearby

• San Saba Lodge No. 225, A. F. & A. M. — steps away
• John H. "Shorty" Brown Cemetery — 0.3 mi
• San Saba County — 0.5 mi
• Alma Ward Hamrick — 0.7 mi