Mt. Jackson Lodge No. 103 A.F. & A.M.

                                                              Springfield, Virginia

    In the latter part of 1891 a group of Masons {we are not sure what Lodges they came from} wanted to form a Masonic Lodge in Mt. Jackson. Hunter Lodge No. 135 in Edinburg agreed to sponsor them. On December 17, 1981, a dispensation was granted by the Grand Lodge of Virginia, signed by Most Worshipful William H. Pleasants, Grand Master of Masons in Virginia. The Lodge was chartered on December 8, 1892.

    On December 21, 1981 the Grand Master appointed Jerome K. Gilbert, Worshipful Master, Robert J. Walker, Senior Warden; J. S. C. Murphy, Junior Warden. The Worshipful Master appointed Brother J. H. Downey as Tiler Pro Tem, Bro. W. E. Knee, Secretary and Treasurer Pro Tem, Bro. M. M. Moore; Senior Deacon Pro Tem, and Bro. Robert S. Jones, Junior Deacon, Pro Tem.

    Brother L. A. Zirkle was the first Master Mason raised in the new Lodge named Mt. Jackson Houck Lodge. Later, the minutes stated “be it resolved for reasons satisfactory to ourselves” the Lodge dropped the name Houck from the Lodge name and asked the Grand Master to charter the lodge as Mt. Jackson Lodge. The origin of the name Houck is unknown and no reason is given for dropping if from the name.

    The Lodge met on the second and fourth Thursday in the second story of I.K.E. Saum’s tin shop which they rented for $50.00 a year. On May 12, 1903, the Lodge accepted an offer to buy the building for $490.00 to be paid $250.00 cash and $60.00 per year at 5% interest. Seven years later the last payment was made on the Lodge on January 27, 1910. The value of the Lodge and real estate was placed at $800.00. Mt. Jackson Lodge No. 103 still meets on the second Thursday of each month in the same building. In the late 1980’s the Lodge voted to drop the meeting on the fourth Thursday.

    By dispensation of Grand Lodge, the Lodge laid the cornerstone of the new Mt. Jackson Fire Department with Masonic honors on August 12, 1936. Of course over the years we have lost many members to the Great Celestial Lodge above, but only one died in Lodge. On January 10, 1957 Dr. A. A. Shutters of Hunter Lodge No. 135 suffered a heart attack after making a talk in the Past Masters degree and died within minutes at 8:20 P.M. The Lodge was not closed that night as you might have expected.

    On September 1953, a report on the proposed Chapter of Eastern Star was made. It was chartered on June 7, 1955.

    In early 1991 discussion began on buying land to build a new Lodge in the future. The committee found a suitable parcel with a house on one side. The Lodge voted to buy it, and soon after sold the house retaining plenty of land for future building. On November 14, 1991 a report was made that due to the generosity of many the loan was paid in full, and a building fund started to build a new Lodge building.

    Taken from the minute books.