Western Star #240

Western Star #240 History

As we all know there are many interesting facts relating to the history of Western Star Lodge. One of the most fascinating is the origin of our name. Why Western Star?

      In 1778 George Rodgers Clark, a Mason, captured Fort Kaskaskia from the English. Kaskaskia is located on the Mississippi River near the present town of Chester and some 50 miles downriver from St. Louis. In 1805 the first Masonic Lodge west of the Indiana Territory was formed under dispensation from the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania. It was named Western Star No. 107. For ten years it was the only Lodge in the Illinois Territory. However, during this time it produced the first Grand Master of Illinois, the first Governor of Illinois, a United States Senator, 12 Representatives and the territorial Governor of Wisconsin. “Western Star No. 107” materially assisted by several others in 1822, formed the first Grand Lodge of Illinois. From this Grand Lodge emerged Western Star No. 1 A.F. & A.M.

      On February 7Th 1829, the Mighty Mississippi, in full flood, erased forever Kaskaskia, the first Capital of Illinois, and Western Star Lodge No. 1. However, on October 7th, 1857, The Grand Lodge of Illinois granted a charter to the Western Star No. 240 at West Urbana, Illinois (Champaign).

      It is with a great deal of pride we continuously strive to perpetuate the memory of these pioneer Masons and this original Lodge.

      As we are in our 120th year we humbly acknowledge the history of our Craft in Illinois, and dedicate these few pages to the future.

Thomas E. Smith
Worshipful Master
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Ross P. Stout, Editor

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Click Here - Chronological History of Western Star Lodge No. 240 PDF.