Donated and built by John Walt, this was the meeting place of the International Free & Accepted Masons and Order of the Eastern Star, known as Johnson Lodge No. 37. It was an African-American lodge. A list of Walthourville’s historic resources in the most recent Liberty County Joint Comprehensive Plan dates it to circa 1845, but I believe this to be an error. If it was originally a white lodge, it could date to the antebellum era, but the style of construction doesn’t support that date. Furthermore, its African-American association precludes that date as such organizations and gathering places for blacks were illegal at the time. My guess is that it was built in the late 1800s. Whatever its history, it’s an important landmark and should be preserved.
Tag Archives: Fraternal Lodges of Coastal Georgia
Walthourville International F & AM OES Johnson Lodge No. 37
Filed under --LIBERTY COUNTY GA--, Walthourville GA
Royal Workers Lodge & Widow’s Son Community Center, Camden County
The Royal Workers Lodge F & AM PHA No. 144, Widows Son Chapter OES No. 408 is located in an historic African-American community, just across the St. Marys River from Florida. Maps refer to the area as Greenville, but residents of the area say that name is never used and they all call it Browntown.
Filed under --CAMDEN COUNTY GA--
Woodbine Lodge #236, F.A.M.
Though I’ve been unable to find an exact date for this lodge, I believe it dates to the 1890s, which would make it one of the oldest structures in Woodbine. It’s very well-maintained.
Filed under --CAMDEN COUNTY GA--, Woodbine GA
Eulonia Lodge, 1910, McIntosh County
Similar in style to African-American schoolhouses still extant in the region, this small lodge hall was the home of a fraternal organization. Preservation or stabilization is needed immediately.
Filed under --MCINTOSH COUNTY GA--, Eulonia GA