Forrest Lodge No. 19, A.F & A.M., erected its first lodge building at this site early in 1850 on a lot measuring 50 by 75 feet purchased in 1849. The two-story white frame building was 50 feet square with five plastered brick columns in front. Lodge meetings were held upstairs, and the lower floor was leased for retail purposes. Sam Houston was a member of this lodge from 1851 through 1854. The Masonic Grand Lodge of Texas met here in June 1858. After the building was destroyed by fire on December 27, 1881, members of the lodge made immediate plans to replace it with a brick building, which was completed late in 1883. Within a year six other fraternal organizations also were meeting in the building. In 1895 Forrest Lodge purchased a lot on Twelfth Street to accommodate a future, larger building. The new location was occupied in June 1909, a few months after the property at this site had been sold to several Huntsville businessmen.
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