Chartered 1891

Arizona Territory

In 1878, a railroad camp was

established on the high desert

area of the Sulfur Springs

Valley. Settlers quickly realized

the potential of this area and by

1880 Willcox became a bustling

town who’s main industry was

cattle. Ranchers quickly took up

residence in the area, many of

whom where Freemasons.

A Town Forms in southeastern Arizona

Trivia: Willcox was first known as Maley Camp.

On January 20th of 1891, a number of Brethren met in the office of the Justice of the Peace to discuss the formation of a much needed lodge, the closest being King Solomon Lodge in Tombstone, 59 miles away.

By May 20th of 1891, Willcox had been granted a dispensation to meet. They quickly obtained a room that the A.O.U.W. ( Ancient Order of United Workmen ) had been using at the Navajo Hotel and immediately set about the business of becoming a regularly chartered lodge.

Willcox No.10 - Lodge Beginings

Original meeting location, the Navajo Hotel 1891 -1917

Trivia: The Lodge paid $15.00 a month to rent the room shared by A.O.U.W., this was incredibly expensive for a single room at that time. $15.oo in 1891 has the same buying power as $342.00 in 2008!

Incredibly, by November 11th of the same year, they were granted a charter and the number 10.

The Brethren of the Lodge spent the next few years initiating, passing and raising all men who came to their doors.

By February 1916, their membership was around 50 and their little room was becoming a bit crowded. They decided to appoint a committee for the purpose of erecting a new building and by December they entered in a contract for a new modern 2 story brick structure to be built on a corner lot a block away from their meeting location for the sum of $8400.00

Willcox gets it Lodge

Trivia: Willcox is one of the few lodges that still has it’s original “Territorial Charter”.

By April 1st the building was completed,

but with a large cost over run. The grand

total for the building: $12,000.

The Masons of Willcox had their new

home and in April of 1917, they bestowed

the first Master Mason degree in that

building on Brother Mark Allen Cook.

This building continues to be the center

of Freemasonry in Willcox, having

hosted a number of Masonic

organizations past and present from

O.E.S to the Rainbow Girls.

The New Building is Complete

Trivia: Willcox Lodge was nearly shook off it’s foundation and had to undergo repairs as the result of practice bombing in a nearby dry lake by the Army Air Corps during World War II.

The Willcox Lodge

continues to honor the

pioneers of their lodge

and they still utilize much

of the original furniture

and props that the lodge

used over 100 years ago.

Pictured below are the

original Masters hat, a

collapsible coffin, degree

props and furniture in the

South.

Willcox Lodge Continues It's Traditions

Willcox Lodge has a reputation for looking after their members. Pictured to the left is WB Mick Easthouse presenting a 70 year certificate to Mark Allen Cook, the first member to be raised to a Master Mason in the Lodge building back in 1917.

Willcox has had the honor of presenting many 50 year certificates over the years. It seems that they have a hardy membership who have extraordinary dedication to the craft.

Willcox Lodge's Long Commitment to Freemasonry

Trivia: The fees for initiation in 1891 were $60.00, and the dues $1.oo per month, payable in advance.

116 W. Maley Street, Willcox, Arizona (520) 384-2740

Stated Meeting 2nd Thursday of the month, 7:00pm

Willcox Lodge No. 10, F. & A.M.