Waco Lodge No. 92, A.F.& A.M.

Duane's take

Here's my telling of what the official marker has to say, straight from the record. Now, some organizations come and go with the seasons, but every now and then one digs its roots so deep that generations pass and it just keeps on going. Waco Lodge Number 92, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, is that kind of outfit.

The marker calls it the oldest organization in continuous existence in Waco. Not the oldest building, not the oldest street, the oldest organization still running. That's a title you have to earn one decade at a time.

It was chartered on January 23, 1852, and it started life under a different name entirely. Back then it was called Bosque Lodge. That name held for a few years before a change came along, and by 1856 it was carrying a new name.

What name it became, well, you're looking at it. Waco Lodge Number 92. Now here's where the story gets interesting, because this lodge devoted to benevolences has had some rather consequential members sitting in those chairs over the years.

Three of them went on to serve as Governor of Texas. Richard Coke, who served from 1874 to 1876. L.S.

Ross, better known as Sul Ross, who served from 1887 to 1891. And Pat M. Neff, who served from 1921 to 1925.

Three governors, one lodge, one small room in Waco where a lot of Texas history was quietly present. The next time you're passing through McLennan County, consider that the oldest continuous organization in town has been meeting since before most of the state was anything at all.

What the marker says

Oldest organization in continuous existence in Waco. Chartered Jan. 23, 1852, as Bosque Lodge, had name change in 1856. Texas Governors Richard Coke (1874-76), L.S. ("Sul") Ross (1887-91), and Pat M. Neff (1921-25) were members of this lodge, devoted to benevolences.