Murray Lodge No. 175, A.F. & A.M.

                                                         Fredericks Hall, Virginia

Murray Lodge No. 175 was chartered on December 16, 1874, with the following officers:

H. B. Hancock                        Worshipful Master

E. Battigheimer                       Senior Warden

James H. Harris                       Junior Warden

The first Lodge minutes are dated February 22, 1877, and state that the Lodge meeting was held in its temporary hall at Frederick (sic) Hall, Virginia. The next minutes reflect that on the June 21, 1877, stated communication, an election of officers was held.

On January 30, 1878, a committee consisting of Brothers G. H. Cooke, J. C. Carpenter and W. A. Garrett was appointed to recommend a lot on which to build a Lodge building.

On July 27, 1881, Right Worshipful Henry W. Murray, Grand Junior Warden, of Day Lodge No. 58 laid the cornerstone of the first Lodge building of Murray Lodge No. 175.

This building served the Lodge until the early 1900's. Also during the early years the Lodge met on the Tuesday on or before the full moon of each month, and is still the current meeting day.

This Lodge has continued to serve as a cornerstone of the community and many Brethren have labored diligently in keeping Freemasonry alive and well in this area.