Grand Lodge of Florida

18^th Masonic District

History of the 18^th Masonic District

    Masonry began in what is now the 18^th Masonic District of the Grand Lodge of Florida in January, 1868, with the creation of Leesburg Lodge #58 in the city of Leesburg in Sumter County. Five years later Ft Mason Lodge #65 was created in February, 1873, at Fort Mason in Orange County. In January, 1885, Eustis Lodge #85 was created in the city of Eustis, also in Orange County.

    In January, 1886, three new lodges were chartered: Penninsular Lodge #88 in the city of Tavares in Orange County, Wildwood Lodge #92 in the city of Wildwood in Sumter County, and Altoona Lodge #93 at the city of Altoona in Orange County.

    On May 27, 1887, Lake County was formed from pieces of Orange and Sumter counties. At that time Lake County included Leesburg Lodge #58, Ft Mason Lodge #65, Eustis Lodge #85, Penninsuar Lodge #88 and Altoona Lodge #93.

    In 1888, a fire destroyed Penninsular Lodge and a new charter was issued. In 1890, Ft Mason Lodge changed its name to Umatilla Lodge to match the name of the town in which it was now located. Both Altoona and Penninsular Lodges surrendered their charters in 1891.

    Mascotte Lodge #190 was formed in January, 1910, in the town of that name. Clermont Lodge #226 was formed in that town in January, 1914. Tavares Lodge #234 was formed in January, 1916 and Mt Dora Lodge #238 in January, 1917.

    In 1925, Mascotte Lodge was moved three miles east to the city of Groveland and became Groveland Lodge #190.

    When the Grand Lodge of Florida realigned its zones and districts in 1993, the 18^th Masonic District was formed to include all of Lake County and Wildwood Lodge #92 in Sumter County.

    The latest addition to the 18^th Masonic District was Villages Lodge #394 which was chartered in June, 1998, at The Villages.

    Masons of the 17^th District formed a Masters And Wardens Association to help coordinate the Masonic activities of the District. Membership was open to the Masters and Wardens of each Lodge with each Lodge having a maximum of three votes on any question. Other Master Masons were encouraged to attend meetings, but had no vote on matters brought before the Association.

    When the 18^th Masonic District was formed, the Association was reconfigured to allow all Master Masons of the District to join and have a vote in matters brought before the Association. Its name was officially changed to the 18^th Masonic District Association.

    The Association holds fund raising activities in the District such as golf matches and fishing trips and assists other organizations such as the Rainbow Assembly. It donates funds to charity, helps Brothers in need and contributes to the expenses of the District Deputy Grand Master and Grand Lodge Officers elected from the District. It has as its purpose the general support of any District 18 Lodge or Master Mason who is in need. It also provides coordination and financial support to the District Deputy Grand Master of the 18^th Masonic District during his term of office.

    The Association has no permanent home, but holds its meetings on the 3^rd Wednesday of most months in one of the Lodges of the District. The host Lodge rotates among the District Lodges in numeric order.