THE AVINGER CITIZEN
Special Historical Edition
June 18, 1954

MASONIC LODGE NEARS CENTENNIAL

The Hickory Hill Masonic Lodge No. 156, was issued its charter on January 20, 1855. The charter was issued to John W. Taylor, W. M.; Isaac E. Browning, S.W.; and Daniel N. Talley, J. W. The charter was signed by E. B. Nichols, Grand Master at San Antonio, Texas; John B. McMahon, S. G. W.; John E. Cravens, J. G. W.; and W. J. Ruthven, Grand Secretary.

The charter was printed on genuine sheepskin and is well preserved after being in use nearly 100 years. This is the oldest Masonic Lodge now in Cass County, and was first established in the Hickory Hill community about a mile and a half southeast of Avinger, and moved to Avinger about 25 years later, as Avinger proper was not established until 1877 when the railroad was built through that section. The name of the lodge still remains Hickory Hill.