Plains Lodge #1261
A.F. and A.M.
USGenWeb >> TXGenWeb >> Yoakum County >> County Histories >> Plains Lodge #1261
The original lodge was # 1019, but the charter burned in 1924 (sic) in the courthouse fire. Plains Lodge # 1261 A.F. and A.M. was chartered December 5, 1929 with 16 members. Walter Anderson went to Grand Lodge at Waco to receive the charter. His expenses for the week totaled between twenty-seven and twenty-eight dollars. The first officers were J.B. Hassel, Worshipful Master; Walter Anderson, Senior Warden; and Fred Cox, Junior Warden. Sanford Webber was the first member raised to Master Mason. Lodge met on Saturday night on or before the full moon since members still rode on horseback and needed the light to get home. Murphy W. Luna served as Treasurer for more years than any other officer and T. J. Miller served longer as Secretary. The first lodge hall was on the second floor of an old store building. The window glasses were broken out and boarded up. In addition, the furniture was cane bottom chairs and the stations were wooden apple boxes. The lights were kerosene lanterns and candles. Our present building was erected in 1956. (info in Yoakum County, From Sod to 1986)
Since 1986, Worshipful Masters include:
- Randy Tuggle, 1986-1987
- Jim Wheeler, 1987-1988
- Billy Boiles, 1988-1989
- Newell Squyres, 1989-1990
- Alton Earl McGinty, 1990-1993
- Bo Stephens, 1993-1994
- Ty Earl Powell 1994-1995
- Tommy Barron 1995-1998
- Alton Earl McGinty, 1998-2000
- Ty Earl Powell, 2000-2007
Alton Earl McGinty was District Deputy Grand Master in 2006. With help from Denver City Lodge #1278, scholarships were presented to Plains graduating seniors in 2006.
