Fort Worth Lodge, Number 148, A. F. & A. M., is the largest and
wealthiest Masonic lodge in the state. It was constituted April 14th,
1854, "Under Dispensation" issued by M. W. Grand Master Wm. M. Taylor on
the 18th day of March, 1854, and chartered January 18th, 1855. Julian
Feild was the first Worshipful Master and John Peter Smith its first
Secretary. Its first home was a two story brick structure which stood in
the middle of Belknap street, at the intersection of Elm street. The
lower story was used for school and church purposes. The writer of these
pages is the Senior Past Master of the Lodge at this time. W. H. Feild,
the present Secretary has filled that position for about thirty years,
the last twenty-five of which have been consecutive.
There was a small lodge of the I. O. O. F., but no record of its
official roster is accessible to the writer at this time.