Jon: What do you know about the Main Street fire in October 1862? It consumed many buildings including the Presbyterian Church (Main at Capitol) and the Masonic Hall across the street. I am researching the history of Masonic buildings in Houston and would love any pointers that you have. lindadodge at yahoo dot com.
The biggie in Houston, though was in May, 1912.... It destroyed the Masonic Temple, which had been rebuilt on the same site at the one that burned in 1862.
Many of the earliest Texians were Masons - and they left their mark on the city and street names. In Houston, the streets Lamar, Rusk, Milam, Fannin and even Louisiana and San Jacinto are notable. There was animosity between the Catholic Church and the Freemasons, so they could not meet openly until after Texas became independent from Mexico. The Holland Lodge of Houston is the oldest in the state, dating from 1835. Their earliest meetings after independence may have been in the old capitol building. I have not seen the name Allen on membership lists, but William Marsh Rice was!
Jon: What do you know about the Main Street fire in October 1862? It consumed many buildings including the Presbyterian Church (Main at Capitol) and the Masonic Hall across the street. I am researching the history of Masonic buildings in Houston and would love any pointers that you have. lindadodge at yahoo dot com.
There will probably be an article late in the summer about fires in Houston during the 1850s and 1860s.
The biggie in Houston, though was in May, 1912.... It destroyed the Masonic Temple, which had been rebuilt on the same site at the one that burned in 1862.
The history of the Masonic Temple is relevant to the Old Capitol Hotel and to Allen House. You might be able to help me with that.
Many of the earliest Texians were Masons - and they left their mark on the city and street names. In Houston, the streets Lamar, Rusk, Milam, Fannin and even Louisiana and San Jacinto are notable. There was animosity between the Catholic Church and the Freemasons, so they could not meet openly until after Texas became independent from Mexico. The Holland Lodge of Houston is the oldest in the state, dating from 1835. Their earliest meetings after independence may have been in the old capitol building. I have not seen the name Allen on membership lists, but William Marsh Rice was!