1876 - 2010

The first settlers arrived in what was then known as Mosquito County in 1844. Mosquito County was composed of Orange, Seminole, Volusia, Osceola, Lake and Brevard Counties. Apparently because of the implications of the name, Mosquito County was changed to Orange County after Florida became a state in 1845. As other settlers came into the area, it was found that there were enough Free Masons in this part of the county to organize a Masonic Lodge.

In 1856, they gathered in Apopka, constructed a building which still stands today, and called it “The Lodge.” These settlers then organized and chartered Orange Lodge No. 36. Apopka was known then as “The Lodge” until 1887 when the name was changed to Apopka.

In 1875, the population of Orlando was about 200 with the entire business district confined to three sides of the court house square. The business district consisted of four stores, one hotel, which was probably Jacob Summerlin’s hotel, one blacksmith, a wagon shop, and one livery stable.

When the City of Orlando was incorporated in 1875, it was determined that there were enough Masons living in the area to organize a Lodge of their own. No longer would the Masons in Orlando have to make the long journey in the moonlight to Apopka and back to attend Lodge. An excerpt from the Dec. 19, 1874, minutes of Orange Lodge in Apopka states, “ That this lodge being satisfied with the examination of Brothers Charles W. Jacocks, Henry C. Harrison and C.C. Beasley, that they are qualified to confer the several degrees … do recommend them as the first officers of a new Lodge in Orlando and authorize the

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officers of this Lodge to grant them the necessary certificate.” On April 16, 1875, Orlando Lodge F & AM, UD held its first communication. The following Brothers were in attendance. Charles Jacocks, who was a resident of the village of Formosa, which is now at Princeton and Orange Avenue. C.C. Beasley who homesteaded on land near Fort Maitland. William J. Brack who became Orlando’s first mayor. Jacob Summerlin was one of the most prosperous cattlemen in the state and one of Orlando’s greatest benefactors. Also in attendance were H.C. Harrison, J. R. Montague, R. W. Broom, and E. A. Richards.

Early records do not indicate exactly where these communications were held other than “the Masonic Hall.” With this dispensation being surrendered as decided on December 25, 1875, Orlando Lodge No. 69, Free and Accepted Masons was organized and received a charter on January 13, 1876. The first communication was held on February 5, 1876, with Charles W. Jacocks presiding in the East as the first Worshipful Master.

The next few years indicate an effort was made to move the location of the Lodge meetings to a more permanent place. On February 1, 1879, with W0r. Master E.A. Richards presiding, the cornerstone of the “new Masonic Lodge” was laid. Again, this location is obscure. A few months after this event took place; discussions began again to look into the possibility of securing a new Lodge hall. These discussions were finally terminated when, in 1881, Brother William Patrick, who owned land in the Conway area and was one of Orlando’s first merchants and a sheriff in the 1850’s, donated a corner lot on West Church Street and Garland Street. It was decided to build a lodge building 26’ by 40’. In late 1881, the building committee met to draft plans and set the construction cost of not more than $1200.00.

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In 1882, this newly constructed, two story building was made of rough lumber and unplastered interior walls. The upper floor was the Masonic Lodge and the lower floor was given to the Public Schools, where three grades met. A portion of this lodge property was sold to Brother Joseph Bumby in 1885 for $450.00. This later became the location for the first of his extensive hardware business. Orlando Lodge No. 69 continued to occupy this building until 1888, when they sold the building and the remaining land. They moved to the third floor of the newly constructed Dollins Block on the south side of West Pine Street near Orange Avenue.

The Lodge continued to hold communications in the Dollins Building, but looking toward the future, purchased from the Rosaline Club, dubbed the “silk stocking group,” lot ‘C’ of the Grannis and E. Frank Sperry subdivision near Lake Eola. The lodge paid $6500.00 for this parcel of land. Plans were drawn up and a new Lodge building was erected on the site, 205 East Central Boulevard. On the 50^th anniversary of the Lodge, January 25, 1925, the cornerstone was laid by P.M. and M.W. Louis C. Massey, Past Grand Master.

The Lodge was exquisitely ornate on the exterior and the interior and was well suited for every Masonic need. In addition to Orlando Lodge No. 69 many other appendant bodies used this facility. They include: The Chapter, Council, and Commandery of the York Rite Bodies, Mizpah Chapter 190, Order of the Eastern Star, Orlando Assembly No.6, Order for Rainbow for Girls, John M. Cheney Chapter, Order of DeMolay , and Crown Court No.33, Order of the Amaranth. Additionally, Eola Lodge No. 207 and Composite Lodge No. 293 were formed and met at the Central Blvd. building before moving on to their respective locations in the City.

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The passage of time took its toll on the grand old building forcing its sale. It still remains overlooking Lake Eola and now houses several businesses. In 1984 Orlando Lodge purchased land overlooking Big Lake Fairview on Edgewater Drive, and erected a new Lodge on that site. In 1993, due to financial distress, the Lodge sold the Edgewater property and moved back downtown to its present site on South Street at Mills Avenue in 1998, Worshipful Master Kenneth Batts was in the East. The cornerstone was laid by M.W. Jacque Coutour, Grand Master of Florida.

Throughout its 134 year history, Orlando Lodge No. 69 has participated in the laying of many important cornerstones. These include: District High School of Orlando 1883, Orange County Courthouse 1892, Elks Club of Orlando 1908, Baptist Church of Orlando 1914, Central Avenue Elementary School 1917, Orlando High School 1922, Hillcrest Elementary School 1923, Orange County Courthouse 1926, Orange County Courthouse 1998 and Orlando Fire Station #1 (The Big House) 2009.

In the beginning , Orlando Lodge No. 69 was composed of a broad spectrum of life, from City and County officials to blacksmiths and carpenters, from lawyers to “Cattle Kings” and merchants. Throughout the ensuing years, Orlando Lodge No. 69 has continued to grow and prosper. As in the beginning, our Lodge remains a cross section of Americana, representing all walks of life. These were strong, colorful men who shaped our city and our Lodge. Some of these fine Brothers are as follows:

Charles W. Jacocks, Master 1876--- Brother Jacocks lived in Formosa and owned a pecan orchard. His wife developed a new variety of pecan.

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Jacob Summerlin--Though not a master of this lodge, he was a member. In 1875 Jacob built the extravagant Summerlin Hotel. There was a sign on the front desk that read, “10 cents hard cash” would be paid to any roomer who could produce a mosquito caught in the hotel. Reportedly, not a cent was ever paid. When the mailman arrived by horseback he was given a room on the third floor. But just as soon as he left the next morning (Summerlin) had the room deloused with a bath of kerosene. Traveling postmen in those days were known to be great carriers of bedbugs.

Joseph Bumby, Master 1885—When Bumby first moved to Orlando in the 1870’s, he like most others, planted citrus trees. To make a living while waiting for his trees to mature, he saw an opportunity to start a transportation business. Joseph obtained the mail contract and began hauling both freight and passengers on a 12 hour round trip wagon ride between Sanford and Orlando. It was called the Bumby Express.

John Moses Cheney, Master 1893---Brother was a strong-willed and very well- respected attorney. In 1908 Brother Cheney was the Republican gubernatorial candidate who made a good showing. Brother Cheney also ran for the U.S. Senate He also served as a US Attorney and a Judge. Worshipful John also reorganized the water and light company, and the Cheney family managed this Orlando Water and Light for a quarter of a century. Once Worshipful John SHUT the water off when he thought that the people of Orlando were using and wasting TOO much water.

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Louis Conrad Massey, Master 1895---Grand Master 1909 & 1910

Louis Massey was born in Philadelphia, PA, where he was educated in private schools. He graduated from the University of PA and was admitted to the PA Bar in 1874. Brother Massey married in 1876. The Massey family moved to Orlando in 1885. He and fellow Lodge brother, T. Picton Warlow became law partners. In 1892 Brother Massey became a member of Orlando Lodge No 69. He was well regarded throughout the state, both in the legal profession and as a Mason. Louis was a member of the state senate, a judge and president of the State Bank of Orlando from its organization until his death. He was elected to the office of Most Worshipful Grand Master of the State of Florida for two terms 1909 & 1910.

Thomas Picton Warlow, Master 1896---Grand Master 1918 & 1919

Thomas Picton Baumgarten (Warlow) was born in India in 1865. His father, was a Captain in the English Army. Thomas’s father, Captain Baumgarten had been adopted by an uncle by marriage and thus his name had been changed. Brother Baumgarten was educated by private tutors and spent most of his early life in England. At the age of 19, Thomas moved to Orlando. He studied law and was admitted to the Florida Bar in 1888. Thomas joined the law firm of Massey and Willcox, and eventually became a judge. In 1893 he joined Orlando Lodge No. 69 and began progressing through the chairs immediately. In

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1900 Brother Thomas changed his name to his family name—Warlow. Brother Warlow was elected to the post of Most Worshipful Grand Master of the State of Florida in 1918 & 1919.

William R. O’Neal, Master 1900---Brother O’Neal was a prominent Orlando businessman. He was also the gubernatorial candidate for the Republican Party. Brother O’Neal was the first Post Master of Orlando.

Eugene Duckworth, Master 1914--- Brother Duckworth was a prominent Orlando businessman who became mayor of Orlando in 1919. He was backed in his campaign for mayor by P. Master Samuel Way, who was Master in 1907.

Harry P. Leu, Master 1916—A prosperous businessman, he and his wife, Mary Jane, bought their 1898 farmhouse and began to gather exotic plants from all over the world to create their luxurious gardens. They resided on the property until 1961. The estate was given over to the city of Orlando with the stipulation that it be open to the public. Brother Lew was also an Orange County Sheriff.

Harry Voorhis, Master 1919 & Raymer McGuire, Master 1924

Brothers Voorhis and McGuire, a politician born in Ocoee, did not wait for federal help to come during the Great Depression. In 1930 these two masters of our Lodge began a company dealing with real estate / construction called Florida Faith, Inc.

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Martin J. Daetwyler, Master 1921---In 1904, Martin Daetwyler arrived by train at the Church Street depot to begin his life in Orlando. After his uncle sold the family citrus groves, Wor. Brother Daetwyler began a career as Orlando’s first nursery owner and only landscape architect. He purchased 80 acres on Lake Conway and transformed an old Georgian mansion already on the property into a showplace. He had much to do with enhancing fellow Lodge brother, Harry P. Leu’s gardens along with Lake Eola and many homes in Winter Park. Mr. Det developed his own variety of azalea,” Pride of Orlando.” Past Master, S. Y. Way said,” He is the most optimist person….” because Mr. Det predicted that the population of Orlando would reach 50,000 by 1950. Before his death, he said, “We made it.” The Orlando Sentinel said the Brother Deatwyler MADE Orlando The City Beautiful

Donald A. Cheney, Master 1922-- Brother Cheney, like his father, John M. Cheney, was a well respected attorney who was appointed probation officer. He earned an excellent reputation for his work with juveniles and became the judge for the juvenile court of Orange County.

Frank A. Smith, Master 1943 & 1944---Circuit Judge and the “Dean” of the Orange county Bench.

Jesse Ramsdell, Master 1928 & Robert Ramsdell, Master 1960 & Frank K. Ramsdell, Master 1964---This family founded the first area wide funeral home company.

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Ralph C. Kazaros, Master 1962--- R.W. Brother Kazaros was the son of “the citrus man.” Ralph’s father started with a small fruit stand which became a large company shipping citrus all over the United States. Brother Kazaros continued in his father’s footsteps.

Some of the other notables members of Orlando Lodge are:

Brother Thomas Gilbert Lee started his little dairy business, T.G. Lee Dairy, in 1925 with one cow and her calf.

Brother Earl K. Woods, Tax Collector of Orange County, for many, many years.

Brother Lawson Lamar---Orange County Sherriff and Sates Attorney for the 9^th Judicial District.

Within the historical body of men, the Craft, of Orlando Lodge No. 69 are many more Masons who made their Mark in this community and they continue this day to grow in many ways and to serve the Craft and the community of The City Beautiful.

End

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History Notes:

This written history of this document was researched and configured by R.W. Albert C. Eaton, Past Master, Orlando Lodge No. 69, R.W. Curtis F. Johnson, Past Master, Orlando Lodge No. 69 and Mrs. Mary Lou Johnson, member of Mizpah No. 190, O.E.S., Orlando, Florida.