San Jacinto Masonic Lodge #106 AF & AM, 106 Bell Street, Willis, TX (2026)

has been a part of the growth of the great community of Willis, Texas. Before becoming the City of Willis, the town of Danville was established in 1853. Then in 1870, Willis became a town and was named the Houston and Great Northern Railroad, for two brothers, Peter J. and Richard S. Willis, residents of nearby Montgomery, Texas, who deeded the right of way for the railroad and town site. Currently, the lodge is located at 106 Bell Street where it has been since 1955. What follows is a historical look back at the musings of the lodge from its charter in 1853 to today. Published during the 1870s, one of Willis’ newspapers, the Willis Index was owned and operated by M.C. Leslie, who was Master of the Lodge eleven times from 1875- 1900. In the June 29, 1885 and July 31, 1885, and October 16, 1885 editions of the index under “Lodge Notices” it read: “San Jacinto Lodge #106 meets the first Sunday before the full moon in each month. Leslie, WM.” Between leaving Danville in 1853 and 1855, San Jacinto became a “moon” lodge. A “moon” lodge meets according to the phase of the moon, instead of the same day every month. This was to assist members in riding their horses to the lodge by moonlight. As reported above, San Jacinto met on Saturday on or before the full moon. This custom is still observed by some Texas lodges. On May 5, 1919, a fire broke out in the Runnels store on the first floor of the Masonic hall and spread north through other buildings. The cause of the fire is not known and caused $35,000 in damage. The lodge would catch fire two more times in different locations between 1882 and 1919 before settling on its present property. Interestingly, all the owners of the buildings were members of the lodge and past masters or would be at a later date. Later that year in 1919, the lodge was granted a charter to meet in an unoccupied second floor of a school building where the Master Masons Degree would be conferred on Brother L.Q. Goff would go onto serve as Master of the Lodge in 1922 and 1926. It was reported in lodge records, that the lodge had rented the south wall of the building to Target Advertising Co. In December of 1935, the lodge changed from being a moon lodge to having meetings on the first Monday of each month. During the 1940s and up until the 1970s several references were made to an annual oyster supper. In February 1951, there were over 100 in attendance for the oyster supper and did not close down until 11:15 p.m. Presently the lodge has stood at 106 Bell Street since 1955 and remains a vital cornerstone within the community. (Historical information courtesy of Affiliated Past Master John L. Massey, Past Secretary of San Jacinto Lodge 106 Jesse Robert Huffman)

10/23/2026

Way to represent Texas Masonic District 28. Congratulations to the WM’s and brethren of Conroe Masonic Lodge # 748 & North Houston Morning Lodge No 1360 A.F&A.M.

🏆 CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR 2026 VANGUARD AWARD RECIPIENTS! 🏆

The Grand Lodge of Texas A.F. & A.M. is proud to recognize the 42 Masonic Lodges that applied for, successfully met the requirements, and earned the prestigious 2026 Vanguard Award! 👏

🌟 Representing 27 Masonic Districts across the great State of Texas, these Lodges have demonstrated their commitment to excellence, leadership, community involvement, and the continued growth and strength of our Fraternity.

The Vanguard Award is more than just recognition. It represents the dedication, hard work, and collective efforts of Brethren who strive to make their Lodges stronger and their communities better.

🏅 AND THERE'S MORE TO COME!

Of these 42 outstanding Lodges, the TOP FIVE will be announced and recognized at the upcoming Grand Annual Communication!

Stay tuned for additional details in the next Grand Secretary's newsletter.

👏 A SPECIAL WORD OF APPRECIATION

We would also like to extend our sincere gratitude to the Committee on Masonic Education, and especially its Chairman, Brother Chris Galloway , for the tremendous time, patience, and dedication devoted to carefully reviewing the many Vanguard Award submissions.

Evaluating these submissions is no small undertaking, and we sincerely appreciate the diligence, fairness, and attention to detail demonstrated throughout the process. Your commitment to recognizing and encouraging excellence among our Texas Lodges is truly appreciated!

To every Worshipful Master, officer, and Brother who contributed to this achievement, CONGRATULATIONS! Your efforts are a shining example of Texas Masonry at work.

Let us celebrate these Lodges and encourage even more Lodges to strive for the Vanguard Award in the coming year!

Making Good Men Better. Building Stronger Lodges. Strengthening Texas Masonry.

10/19/2026

🇨🇱 22 MASONS WHO DECLARED TEXAS FREE

DAY 1 OF 22 — RICHARD ELLIS

He didn't just sign the Texas Declaration of Independence.
He presided over the convention that created a Republic.

On March 1, 1836, delegates gathered at Washington-on-the-Brazos under extraordinary circumstances.

Santa Anna's army was already in Texas.

The Alamo was under siege.

And the men gathered at Washington were preparing to do something from which there would be no easy retreat:

Declare Texas independent from Mexico.

Before they could begin, they needed someone to preside over the convention.

The delegates unanimously selected Richard Ellis.

A Virginia-born lawyer who had lived in Alabama before coming to Texas, Ellis represented the municipality of Pecan Point.

As president of the Convention of 1836, Ellis appointed the five-man committee charged with drafting the Texas Declaration of Independence.

On March 2, 1836, the Declaration was adopted.

At the top of the signatures was the name of the convention's president:

Richard Ellis.

But declaring independence was only part of the job.

While war raged across Texas, Ellis continued presiding as the delegates worked to establish an interim government and write a constitution for the new Republic of Texas.

He would later serve in the Senate of the Republic.

Nearly two centuries later, we remember the famous battles and larger-than-life names of the Texas Revolution.

But before there could be a Republic to defend, men had to put their names on paper and create one.

Richard Ellis sat in the chair while they did it.

For the next 21 mornings, we'll introduce another Freemason whose signature appears on the Texas Declaration of Independence—and tell the story behind the name.

🇨🇱 22 MEN. 22 DAYS. 22 STORIES.

🔹 Montgomery Lodge No. 25 A.F. & A.M.
The last Lodge chartered under the Republic of Texas

10/16/2026

Next weeks EA Return and FC Degree has to cancel. Will be just the Return portion only. Degree will be next month. Watch for that notice soon!

10/12/2026

NEXT WEEK - Tuesday, October 20, 2026 we will have an EA turn in followed by a Fellowcraft Degree!

10/06/2026

We had a great meeting last night with our visit by RW Chris Adams and several visitors.

We hope your final visit tonight is just as successful.

Address

106 Bell Street
Willis, TX
77378

Telephone

(936) 856-2833

Website

http://www.sanjacinto106.org/

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