The future Bolivar Lodge #418 A.F. & A.M. met in the lodge room at Bolivar, Texas, for the purpose of organizing a lodge, when authority was granted by the Grand Lodge of Texas in 1874. The lodge opened in the “Masters” degree with Bro. J. M. Blount, of Stanfield Lodge #217, Denton, Texas, presiding. Bro. Blount was legally authorized by D. J. Eddleman to organize the lodge and he proceeded to carry out this official duty.

On agreement of motion, the lodge decided to hold stated meetings on the first Saturday after each full moon at the hour of 6:00 p.m. By-laws were adopted as laid down in Taylor’s Monitor for the government of the Lodge. The lodge voted to set dues at $2.00 each per annum. Lodge was duly closed, “peace and harmony” prevailing. (W.H. Logan, Sec. pro tem)

After the legally authorized Bolivar Masonic Lodge #418  A.F. & A.M.  was chartered on June 4, 1875, a meeting was held in the lodge hall on June 19, 1875. History reveals that at this meeting a letter was composed and sent to the honorable Joseph U. Sayers on his  84th birthday by J.S.J. Gober, Secretary, to congratulate him on his birthday and again thank him for signing the charter of Bolivar Lodge. lt is interesting to note that Sayers was later Governor of Texas. At this same meeting, officers were elected for the ensuing year and installed by Bro. D.R. Grafton, District Deputy Grand Master.

The year 1875 was a busy one with committees appointed and work done by all with great willingness. The Finance Committee was one of the first to organize and function. In September, 1875, the matter of a lodge building was introduced. It was customary at that time in Texas for Masonic Lodges to build a lodge hall with rooms for a school and church. A committee was appointed to meet with the trustees of Bolivar School to obtain a title deed for the building. In December, this committee reported favorably and a deed was secured. (An interview with the historical committee tells that E.W. Bentley built the first lodge house in Bolivar in 1875 and this building was also used for school and church by all denominations. A picture of this first building  was published in the Sanger Courier during the 100th Anniversary week of July 19, 1975).

In 1899, a committee of Bros. Nance, Gober and Seal took steps for a permanent lodge home. J.W. Millligan, a devoted Mason, had a one-story brick building. He offered the upper part of his building for the Masons, to be constructed and owned by them. The committee in charge of this move and acceptance of Milligan’s offer was composed of T.A. Gentle, H.V. Duncan, J.W. Milligan, and B.G. Vaughn. This committee was assisted by the Finance Committee which was made up of A.J. Nance, A.F. Warren, and J.R. Sullivan.  Bro. Milligan’s offer was for the Masons to add a second story to his building to be used and owned by them.

May 13, 1905, dates the accomplishment of a permanent home for Bolivar Lodge. On a motion by  H.E. Hicks and seconded by J.H. Sullivan, action was taken to complete the upper story of the building which became the permanent home of the lodge.

The first meeting to be held in the new lodge facility was on June 10, 1905.  One of the first actions taken by the lodge was to grant the Eastern Star permission to use the Lodge Hall. This organization was especially active in the ’20s and ’30s. Mrs. Lula LeFan from the Grand Lodge Eastern Star held regular instruction periods and many of the women became proficient in the work. Several received state recognition at the annual meeting in Galveston in the late ’30s. Minutes of the years following the move into the new home indicate the lodge was extremely active with all bills paid and finances carefully checked.  The characteristic activities of the lodge were carefully itemized, such as help to members in Slidell after a storm had done considerable damage.

The old lodge building has been occupied since the top floor was constructed by the lodge for $2690 in 1905.  In March 1965, the bottom floor was purchased.  The 1970s began with the lodge replacing the old flooring of the bottom floor with concrete and later the installation of a suspended ceiling in both the upper lodge room and the downstairs meeting hall. Orus Everly, a lodge member, and electrician, installed 220-volt outlets on the upper floor in 1975 and window air conditioning units were installed and the lodge hall had its first taste of true comfort. The interior of the lodge was repainted in anticipation of the Centennial celebration. The Centennial Celebration was an overwhelming success.  The Sanger Courier printed a full four-page section on the history of the lodge as well as front-page stories. Worshipful Master Bill Kesseler introduced Past Grand Master Bill Proctor who was the featured speaker for the occasion. (Detailed Bolivar Masonic Lodge, Sanger Texas History)