Masonic History
The Beginning
There are many theories
The actual beginning of Freemasonry is itself the cause of much confusion, even among its members, for there is disagreement concerning the fraternity's earliest origins. There are those who find evidences of Freemasonry dating back to the Roman Empire. Others mark its beginning in ancient Egypt.
›› Read About The Roman Empire Theory
United States Masonic History
Dates back into the 1730's
It appears reasonable to assume that there were many Masons among the early settlers of this country. There is no reason to doubt that they did meet, hold meetings, and initiate candidates under the "prescriptive right" meaning that they formed Lodges without Warrants, acting upon their "right from time immemorial."
›› Read More About U.S. Masonic History
Illinois Masonic History
Dates back to 1804
The history of organized Freemasonry in Illinois started on May 7, 1804; fourteen years before Illinois would be ratified for statehood. On that day, Brother James Edgar, of Kaskaskia, wrote to the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania asking for a Dispensation to form Western Star Lodge located in Kaskaskia. The Dispensation was granted September 24, 1805, making Western Star Lodge #107 the first Masonic Lodge in the Indiana Territory.
›› Read More About Illinois Masonic History
Famous Masons
Presidents, Kings, Inventors, Businessmen......
There are tens of thousands who have been initiated into ranks of Freemasonry. While most did not make it into the history books, many did. Some helped found countries and others were inventors and businessmen. You may be amazed to find out who some of these people are.
›› Famous People You May Not Have Known Where Masons
Henry Bromwell
One of our famous Masons
Brother Bromwell was Worshipful Master of Temperance Lodge No.16 from 1856 to 1857. He is the author of "Restorations of Masonic Geometry and Symbolry", a book circulated in nearly every Grand Jurisdiction in the world and has been made the subject of resolutions by the Grand Lodge of Illinois, by which it is characterized as "The most remarkable contribution of its class ever made to Masonic literature."