Fort Buford Masonic Historical Site

THE NORTH DAKOTA MASONIC FOUNDATION

 WELCOMES YOU TO THE

On behalf of the North Dakota Grand Lodge A.F. & A.M,  the Most Worshipful Prince Hall Grand Lodge of Missouri, the North Dakota State Historical Society and the North Dakota Masonic Foundation, we are pleased to welcome you to this special Masonic Historical Site.

Through the efforts of  historians,  Masonic records and many Grand Jurisdictions  who have provided valuable assistance, we are pleased to bring to you the most accurate and documented account of  the first Regular and Prince Hall Chartered Lodges in Dakota Territory, which later became the state of North Dakota.

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 of the 25th Infantry, in 1892.  The 25th Infantry was one of only four all black units in the military at that period, and their Eureka Lodge No.135, was chartered through the Most Worshipful Prince Hall Grand Lodge of  Missouri at Ft. Apache, AZ Territory in 1891.

This Historical Website is an ongoing  project which we hope will  never have an ending.   We intend to not only bring you all the history of the past through documents and photos, but include plans for the present and future at this important Masonic Site.

We invite you to return to these pages often as this process unfolds.

Please consider attending the 50th Anniversary Rededication of the Masonic Historic Site at Ft. Buford on May 21, 22, 2010.  You will not only see history recreated but have the chance to personally visit with representatives of all Grand Jurisdictions and the North Dakota State Historical Society who are involved in the preservation of our history at the great historic site.   

Many Events are scheduled over the 2 day period and are available in PDF format by clicking on Map below:

More information may be obtained from the Ft. Buford Masonic Historical Site Committee.