On Wednesday, 25 March, the finishing touches were put into place to make the front of the Blanco Masonic Lodge look just like new.

Matt Lewis, Terry Miller, Brandon Aly and Russell Suggs did the long overdue work. Shawn Cole of Cole Landscaping helped by providing the powerwash and cherry-picker truck to get the job done. Once again, the building is projecting a favorable image of Blanco to travelers passing through on Hwy. 281.

Despite the current state of affairs, the Masonic Scholarships for high school seniors are still being offered, and the deadline to submit for consideration has been extended to April 30. Please contact the school for details.

The Fantastic Teeth packages have already been done. Unfortunately, due to social distancing protocol, it appears that the Take Time to Read program has been canceled for this year, but should be back next year.

Blanco Masonic Lodge has long been involved in education. They present the Lamar Awards and the above-mentioned programs, but the Masons kick started many schools in Texas.

Immediately after the Civil War, the Blanco Lodge began work on a school in Blanco. In 1874, the State of Texas granted a Charter for the Blanco Masonic University. Land was set aside, a foundation was created, and the stones for the building were purchased. Because of the economic downturn in Texas after the war, the lodge ran out of funds, and work came to a halt.

In 1883, a meeting was called. A stock company for the school was formed, and shares were offered. The Blanco Masonic University turned over the land, foundation, and stone to create Blanco High School.

The Blanco Lodge itself has had more than one home. The site the lodge is occupying now has been given the historic designation of a Texas Ranger Encampment. In 1974, it came to the present location which had been a cabinet shop formerly owned by Gilbert Klinger.

Originally, Blanco Lodge was not even in Blanco. In 1856, the lodge was started at Hodge’s Mill on Curry Creek. It was named the Twin Sisters Lodge in honor of the two nearby hills.

In 1858, Blanco County was created, and the lodge moved to Blanco and met in the second floor of the original Blanco County Courthouse. In 1872, the name of the lodge was changed to Blanco Masonic Lodge. The wooden courthouse was lost to a fire in 1876 along with all county and lodge records.

From there, the Masons began meeting in the Independent Order of Odd Fellows Hall. The Blanco Courthouse was rebuilt, and the Masons resumed meeting their meetings on the second floor of the Courthouse until 1893 when the Harrison building was purchased for meetings.

In 1907, Masons had a building constructed at 309 Main Street. The façade of the building was meant to echo the style the Courthouse which was in the middle of the square. Fire also damaged this building in 1929. The building was rebuilt but, the Masons lost possession, possibly due to the depression. They continued to meet in this building until they moved to the present location on 281 and 11th Street.

No matter which building they are in, during good times and times of distress, the Blanco Masonic Lodge intends to survive and help this community whenever possible.