Originally written by Morris Goldwater and edited by Parker Anderson

Editor's Note: At an 1891 celebration marking the 25th Anniversary of the Aztlan Masonic Lodge in Prescott, Morris Goldwater spoke at length about the early days of the lodge. This is the second installment of his remarks.

“On September 30th, 1865, the first work was done by the new Lodge. The Degree of Entered Apprentice was conferred on Bro. A. O. Noyes and J. G. Mitchell, and Bro. Barr was raised to the degree of Master Mason.

“On January 2nd, 1866, we find the first record of a lodge funeral. The deceased Brother being Stephen Lee, of Eugene City, Oregon. In the files of the Arizona Miner of 1864, owned by Mr. B. H. Weaver, there is a notice of a Masonic funeral, although there was at that time no lodge.

“On January 27th, 1866, we find another indication of the results of the war in a resolution requiring all dues and fees to be paid the lodge in gold or silver coin, or in gold dust.

“In March 1866, a Building Committee was appointed to secure a lot with a view to building a hall, but the matter was indefinitely postponed. And it may as well be stated here that similar committees have been several times appointed and the resulting action has invariably been the same.

“In August 1866, the last meeting under the dispensation was held. The debts of the Lodge were all paid, the books, papers, and dispensations were forwarded to California by Lt. Barr for examination, and the Grand Lodge was by a vote asked to change the name of the lodge from Aztlan to Arizona. Five months elapsed and in January 1867, the glad tidings came that the charter had arrived.

“No reason is assigned for the refusal of the Grand Lodge to change the name, but the charter had been granted under the name and number of Aztlan Lodge No. 177. This charter, which now adorns our Lodge Room, was brought from San Francisco to La Paz by Mr. Charles B. Genung and from La Paz to Prescott by Bro. Joseph R. Walker. It arrived here January 21st, 1867, and notices were immediately printed and distributed around Prescott and its vicinity for a meeting to be held January 26th. The Brethren assembled and Past Master John Martin duly constituted the Lodge and installed its officers.

“In May 1867, a Committee was appointed to raise and re-inter the body of Bro. William P. Jones, who had been killed by Indians near Prescott in June 1864. The Committee selected as a suitable place the present cemetery, and reported to the Lodge that Governor R. C. (Richard) McCormick had generously donated the ground for a Masonic cemetery, and appropriate resolutions of thanks were passed and ordered sent to him.

“I shall not attempt to give you the details of the work done by the lodge in this early period of its history. The minutes show much labor performed. The Lodge by its standing proves whether this work was square and true. There are records of the deaths of many brethren inhumanly butchered by the ruthless savage, with no friend near to cheer them in the hour of death, or bear a last affectionate remembrance to the loved ones left to mourn their fate. Kind and loving hands brought and laid their remains to rest, and the Lodge was the first to convey the sad tidings to sorrowing relatives. In November 1867, the Lodge asked for a reduction of rent and the price was fixed at $22 a month, gold coin. In May 1868, permission was given the IOOF to hold informal meetings in the hall, and $150. were expended for jewels and regalia.

“In October 1868, a new Lodge Room was chosen in the second story on the Southwest corner of Montezuma and Gurley streets, over the Diana Saloon, and where the Hotel Burke now stands. $466 were spent in furnishing the hall, and $320 was paid for freight on the furniture and carpets brought from California. In this month, the fence around the cemetery was built. The cost was defrayed by private subscription, and there is no record of the amount, but the lowest bid for painting the fence was $650, while for whitewashing it only $350 were asked.

“In December 1869, the first public installation took place. It was held in the old Courthouse, Past Master Col. E D. Baker acting as Installing Officer, and Bro. John A. Rush delivering an oration.”

Note: The Prescott Aztlan Lodge continues to this day. The Masonic Temple was built in 1907 and is located at 105-107 North Cortez Street. Morris Goldwater was active in statewide Freemasonry until his death in 1939.

Sharlot Hall Museum Photograph Call Number:(bub8166pd-buh7020p) Reuse only by permission.
Diana Saloon, at far left, is the white two-story building in 1870. The photo on right is the Burke Hotel on the same site, 1891. The original lodge group met in the Governor’s Mansion in 1864 with Gov. Goodwin presiding. Subsequent meetings were held above what was known as Fitz Jason’s Saloon (building owned by Levi Bashford). When the Diana Saloon was built in 1868 on the southwest corner of Gurley and Montezuma streets, the meetings were held there until the Diana burned down in 1883. At the time of Goldwater’s speech at the 25th anniversary of the Lodge in 1891, the Burke Hotel (built in 1890) was located at the former site of the Diana) The original Burke hotel (shown here) burned down in the 1900 fire, was rebuilt and is now known as the Hotel St. Michael.

Sharlot Hall Museum Photograph Call Number: (Photos courtesy Alan Krause, 2009) Reuse only by permission.
The Masonic Cemetery in Prescott is the resting place of Morris Goldwater and his wife. Land for the cemetery was donated to the Lodge by Gov. Richard C. McCormick in 1867.