On May 22, 2001, the 50th anniversary rededication ceremony of the Yellowstone Masonic Lodge, located directly west and adjacent to Fort Buford, took place.

The first Masonic Charter was issued by the Grand Lodge of Masons in Minnesota in 1872 to Yellowstone Lodge No. 88. The primary officers of this Lodge were members of the 7th infantry. The second Charter to arrive was carried by the Buffalo Soldiers in 1891-1892. Their Eureka Lodge No. 135 was chartered through the Most Worshipful Prince Hall Grand Lodge of the Missouri River at Ft. Apache, Ariz., Territory in 1891.

As was the case at many military outposts following the Civil War, Masonic Lodges were soon organized, and Fort Buford, established in 1866, was granted a dispensation for a new lodge. This dispensation was issued at St. Paul, Minn., Jan. 26, 1871, by Grand Master Nash, naming Captain Asa P. Blunt as worshipful master, Samuel Dennison as senior warden and Richard Comba as junior warden. Blunt was a sergeant in the quartermaster’s department, Dennison as a clerk and Comba as captain in the 7th Infantry. Robert Seip, a clerk, was listed as the first secretary.

In 1872, there was a total membership of 29, with 35 members in 1872. The lodge hall, about 80 by 100 feet, was built (probably of logs) adjoining the fort and near the post trader stores. It was two stories high, the second story being used as a lodge hall, and the first story was the social and cultural center for the fort. Many balls and parties were held in this hall which would have played a large part in the enjoyment of life for the soldiers.

In 1874, the main garrison at Fort Buford was moved, along with the three principal officers of the lodge and most of the members. This left the lodge financially unstable, and they could not legally convene without the presence of the grand master.

The jewels, aprons, ballot-box, triangle, letter G, 24-inch gauge and common gavel were turned over to the Bismarck Lodge.

That was the last recorded reference to the lodge, and in 1928 an effort was made to secure the original site. The lodge site was near Fort Buford as the depressions made by the large wooden posts used as foundation supports were plainly visible, 10 feet apart on the four sides.

Walter Stockwell, grand secretary, and Orrin Libby, grand historian, collaborated in an effort to obtain the title to the site. The land was unobtainable as it was owned by a family unfriendly to Masonry, and the place was not for sale.

In early 1957, Brother Edwin A Haak-enson became interested in a revival of the effort of 1928 to memorialize the site. He obtained a fairly authentic military map of the Fort Buford area and a large aerial photograph which assisted him in locating the site of the lodge hall. These observations were fully corroborated by the discovery of the foundation depressions of the original building. The property was owned by Homer Selby, who agreed to sell the irregular piece of ground, containing 1.73 acres for $100.

A marker was set in concrete at the center of the former building space, and at the four corners were granite stones of about 200 pounds, each engraved with squares and compasses. The marker was enclosed in a strong steel post and cable fence, and a similar fence encircled the entire site.

Next issue: Eureka Lodge and the Buffalo soldiers.

EDITOR’S NOTE: Information compiled from North Dakota State Historical Society.