The History of Marshall Lodge # 209 F & AM

            155 years distinguished service of Marshall Lodge No. 209 F&AM., Guntersville, Alabama will be completed December 7^th, 2004. This Period of influence has been for a better Citizenship of this fine Community. The anniversary Observance of a 150 years of existence is fitting and proper, for throughout these 150 years Marshall Lodge has stood as a notable example of the exemplification of the teachings of Masonry. Truly, Marshall Lodge has justified its existence.

Little is known of the early history of the Lodge; it was granted a Dispensation May 11^th, 1854 and at the meeting of the Grand Lodge in December 1854 was granted a charter on December 7^th, 1854 .  Most Worshipful Brother David Clopton was Grand Master and Brother Armand P. Pfister was Grand Secretary, this according to Page 90 in the 1854 Grand Lodge proceedings. Nothing is known about the meeting place or accomplishments of the Lodge from the year 1854 until the early 1880’s.  From the roster of the Lodge of Officers for this period the names of Louis Wyeth, L.D. Lusk, Byron McFarlane, W.H. Wiggs, S.W. Van Dyke, James Cochran, Andrew J. Baker, J.P. Whitman. Solomon Palmer, Thomas B. Lusk, John M Scott, E.D. Nickles and Charles H Kendall are found.

The first Home owned by the Lodge that we have any record of was a two-story frame building on the lot now occupied by the old County Jail , the ground floor was used for business purposes, and the second floor the Lodge Hall. This building must have been constructed in the late 1880’s or early 1890’s.  In 1901 the roof of the building was blown away by a Tornado that passed this way, also it did other damage to the town.  In May 1905 the Masonic Building was completely destroyed by fire and most of the records were lost.  It is said that this was the most disastrous fire in the business district, to this date, since the Civil War. From the time of the fire in 1905 until 1928 the Lodge held its meetings in the second story of the P.B. Lusk building.

In 1927 having traded the lot on which the old jail now stands to the County for 66 feet on Broad Street, the Lodge sold the south 30 and decided to build the present Temple. In August 1928 the Corner Stone was laid with Masonic Ceremonies. In the Corner Stone along with other items is a Holy Bible presented by Mrs. John A. Lusk.  In the early 1930’s the Lodge had quite a struggle meeting it’s obligations but by the Financial Management of Brother J.P. Willis it surmounted the obstacles, Brother J.P. Willis served the Lodge as Secretary for twenty consecutive years, from 1929 to 1949.  Again in the late 1930’s our Lodge was damaged by fire and most of our records were lost.

In 1946 the Lodge paid the last obligation on the present building which was celebrated with a barbecue and the burning of the mortgage.   The Barbecue has since been an annual affair.

Marshall Lodge No. 209 has furnished our State and Nation two Grand Masters (the late Bro. O.D. Street and the late Bro. S.A. Moore) one Governor, two U.S. District Attorneys, on U.S. Congressman, one U.S. Federal Judge, one State Treasurer and several State Senators and State Representatives.

Marshall Lodge has seen seven major conflicts between nations and has furnished a number of men for each conflict. To these Brethren, both living and dead, your lodge honors you for your efforts in the cause of your Country.

It can be truly stated that Marshall Lodge No. 209 has had a commendable career.  From those early days before the Civil War until these dark days of unrest, Masonry has lived in Guntersville through Marshall Lodge No. 209 and has survived as an ancient and ever honorable Institution.  This 150^th Anniversary finds the Lodge membership at 220 members.  To these Masons in 2004 has been thrown the Masonic Torch, now 150 years old. It is their duty to hold it high, and to live worthy of this great privilege.

The following members were active members at the 100 year anniversary and are here and active members for the 150th year anniversary