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Floral City Masonic Lodge No. 133
of Free and Accepted Masons
was chartered by
Grandmaster M\W\ Angus Peterson
of
The Most Worshipful Grand Lodge of F.&A.M. of Florida
on January 18, 1893,
With the following charter members:
John W. Allan, Walter E. Armstrong, James M. Baker,
William J. Baker, Hugh Borland, Isaac M. Barton,
William M. Brooks, John W. Benton, Jacob C. Clements,
James A. Hampton, Joseph W. Knight, William U. Laurie,
Frank J. Lewis, Solomon D. Moon, Marcus L. McCoy,
Columbus U. Rooks, Frank S. Rawls, Abram J. Tooke,
James B. Young, and William C. Zimmerman.
The first officers of the Lodge were:
J. M Baker, Worshipful Master - J. W. Knight,
Senior Warden
J. B. Young, Junior Warden - W. J.
Baker, Treasurer
Hugh Borland, Secretary
One of the earliest meeting places was on the second floor of the
two-story, school house built in 1880, located on Marvin Avenue
across from the home of J. O. Love. The Masons agreed to keep the
pillars and the roof in repair in lieu of rent.
The Masons later purchased this two-story building and moved it to
Orange Avenue and Everett Street, in front of the present Masonic
Temple.
It was used continually by the Masons until the
new
Temple was completed in 1962.
For a few years, there was just one meeting each month.
Now they have two stated meetings each month.
In 1962 the Lodge moved into its new Temple which was built
by the Members and assisted by Members of the
Order of the Eastern Star #164
and friends that donated their time and money.
It was known back then
to be a very friendly Lodge to visit.
A tradition we hope to keep going.
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Beginning in 1962 and through 2004, six Brothers were honored
with appointments as District Deputy Grandmasters of the 18th
Masonic District (now the 19th Masonic District). The first was
Brother Hilton Higginbotham in 1962
and again in 1976,
Brother Bert Robertson in 1972,
Brother Gene Puckett in 1975,
Brother Frank Ownbey in 1982,
Brother George Depina in 1987,
Brother Robert Darden in 2004.
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December 10, 1983, Brother Hilton Higginbotham was honored by
election as Inspector General Honorary of the 33° of Ancient and
Accepted Scottish Rite and crowned an Honorary Member of the Supreme
Council.
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