Flora Lodge No. 119, A.F. & A.M.

Founded before the Civil War, as Quitman Masonic Lodge. Petition for charter was made on Jan. 5, 1852. First officers: James N. Brown, Worshipful Master; A. Gunter, Senior Warden; Francis C. McKnight, Junior Warden. Petitioners (other than the officers) included George Birdwell, W. L. Brown, S. M. Flournoy, I. D. Goes, E. H. McRee, I. H. McRee, M. W. Matthews, and Joshua Smith. Without any recorded explanation, the lodge was given its present name on Christmas Day of 1852. Original furniture was made by illustrious Wood County pioneer Peter Gunstream at cost of $10.75. In 1854 fire destroyed lodge charter, jewels, and furniture. Combination Presbyterian church and lodge hall was built on this site and occupied in 1855. Members voted to prohibit smoking on the premises. Ending of Civil War found the lodge penniless and hard pressed to pay 30 cents a pound for candles bought in 50 pound lots. In 1917 electric lighting closed a 65-year time span of candles and kerosene lamps. The early lodge worked diligently, often meeting on Saturday mornings, dismissing to attend preaching services downstairs, and afterward resuming work. Flora Lodge built new two-story structure at this historic location in 1949. (1972)

Flora Lodge No. 119, A.F. & A.M. is a historical marker in Quitman, Wood County, dedicated in 1972. It is one of 75 historical markers documented in Wood County in the Texas Historical Commission Atlas, among 151 historic sites cataloged across the county.

The site sits at 32.7786, -95.4568 near Quitman. The nearest cataloged historic site is Stinson, James A., Home (historical marker), about 0.8 miles away. Others within a short drive include Hogg, James Stephen, Early Home, Jones, J. H., and the Old Settlers Reunion Grounds, and Collins-Haines Home.

This record corresponds to Texas Historical Commission Atlas #5499008960. Use the map below for its exact position and turn-by-turn directions.