On Saturday, Sept. 28, the Paw Paw-Lawton Lodge marked its 175th anniversary, holding a rededication ceremony, followed by a luncheon, and speakers. Members of the Paw Paw-Lawton Lodge 25 are shown. Also taking part in the rededication ceremony were state Grand Lodge officers.
Courier-Leader photo /Paul Garrod
By Paul Garrod
Staff writer
news4garrod@gmail.com
PAW PAW – On Saturday, Sept. 28, the Paw Paw-Lawton Lodge marked its 175th anniversary, holding a rededication ceremony, followed by a luncheon, and speakers.
According to the lodge history, a charter was granted to Paw Paw Lodge No. 25 on Jan. 11, 1849, Masonic year 5849.
The first Worshipful Master of Paw Paw Lodge No. 25 was Aaron W. Broughton.
The early history of Paw Paw Lodge has been lost due to two fires, the first in 1866, and the second coming 22 years later on Jan. 13, 1888, in which most of the written records were destroyed. Following the second fire, the lodge made arrangements with the grange to meet in its hall for a fee of $1.25 per meeting Both fires occurred in the Longwell block, located in the northwest block.
Bricks from the ruins were recovered and transported to the new site. Bricks were also obtained from the walls of the Lawton furnace building that was being salvaged at a cost of $5.90 per thousand. Those bricks were packed in barrels and transported to Paw Paw by train then to the site by horse and wagon.
The Masonic Association authorized the issuance of 1,000 shares of the stock at a value of $5 per share to raise money for the construction of the building.
In December of 1984 Lawton Lodge 216 consolidated with Paw Paw Lodge 25 and was then known as Paw Paw Lawton Lodge No. 25.
The lodge has had two of its members progress to the highest station of Michigan Masonry – Most Worshipful Grand Master of Masons in Michigan – Roscoe Broughton 33, 1903-1904 and Harvey Sherman 33, 1935-1936.
