Skip to main content

Freemasons Aztec Lodge no. 3 records

 Collection
Identifier: Ms-0467

Scope and Content

The collection contains copied materials pertaining to the history of the Freemasons in New Mexico and more specifically the Aztec Lodge No. 3 in Las Cruces, New Mexico. Included are member and officer lists, manuscripts of the lodge history and histories of the Freemasons in New Mexico. The photographs inlcude portraits of former lodge members, lodge activities, the buildings the lodge has occupied and photographs of Las Cruces.

Dates

  • 1867-1967

Language of Materials

English

Access Restrictions

Open. All materials in this collection are available for research under supervised conditions in the Research Room.

Copy Restrictions

Copyrights associated with materials in this collection have not been transferred to New Mexico State University.

Organizational Sketch

The Freemasons Aztec Lodge no. 3, of Las Cruces, was organized December 19, 1866. It was chartered October 18, 1867 as Aztec Lodge no. 108, under the jurisdiction of the Grande Lodge of Missouri. It was rechartered on October 20, 1877 as Aztec Lodge no. 3, A.F. & A.M. under the jurisdiction of the Grand Lodge of New Mexico. The first masonic hall was consecrated November 15, 1867. The first officers of the lodge were installed by Brother Logan Rynerson and included Joab Houghton, John Lemon, P.A. Tully, W.R. McCormack, R.H. Blake, R.H. Franklin, George Blake and James Conklin. Other members of the first lodge included Cristian Duper, Thomas B. Catron, Joseph F. Bennett, Benjamin Davies, Albert J. Fountain, J.J. Dolan, John Martin, Thomas Casad, Simon Newcomb, Dr. Joseph Blazer and William Rynerson.

In 1871 the lodge moved into the second floor of a new building on Main Street, built by Brother Henry Lesinsky. The building later housed the Las Cruces Drug Company. A masonic cemetery was created in 1872 and many prominent Las Crucens have been buried there.

Extent

0.50 Linear Feet (4 items total -2 Microfilm cabinet on 4th floor; 1 box located in photo room and 1 O.S Scrapbook )

Abstract

Manuscript, microfilm and photographic material related to the history of the Freemasons Aztec Lodge no. 3, of Las Cruces, and to freemasonry in New Mexico.

Acquisition

  1. RG81-028 Gift of Freemasons Aztec Lodge No. 3

Related Material

Freemasons. Aztec Lodge No. 3 A.F. & A.M. (Las Cruces, N.M.) A Century of Freemasonry at Las Cruces, 1867-1967. HS539.L37 F74 Copy 1. Branson Library - Special Collections - Non-circulating.

Processing Information

Lenny Silverman, Dennis Daily, 2006
Title
Guide to the Freemasons Aztec Lodge no. 3 records, 1867-1967
Status
Completed
Author
Dennis Daily and Lenny Silverman
Date
© 2007
Description rules
Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Language of description
English
Script of description
Code for undetermined script
Language of description note
Finding aid is in English

Repository Details

Part of the New Mexico State University Library Archives and Special Collections Repository

Contact:
Branson Hall
PO Box 30006
MSC 3475
Las Cruces New Mexico 88003 USA