Q3 2020
Arizona Masonry Boyd Wayne Robertson Most Worshipful Grand Master
Bryon Patrick Howe Worshipful Grand Editor
Arizona Masonry is an official publication of the Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons or Arizona. Unless otherwise noted, articles in this publication express only the private opinion or assertions of the writer, and do not necessarily reflect the official position of the Grand Lodge. The jurisdiction speaks only through the Grand Master and the Grand Lodge Trustees when attested to as official in writing by the Grand Secretary.
The Editorial staff invites the contributions in the form of informative articles, reports, news and other timely information (Of about 350 to 800 words in length) that is broadly related to general Masonry. When possible, photographs or graphics that support the submission are appreciated. Pieces submitted become the property of the Grand Lodge, F. & A.M. of Arizona. No compensation is permitted for any article, photograph, or other submitted for publication. Permission to reprint articles is automatically granted to recognized Masonic publication with proper credit given.
MWGM Boyd Robertson
RWDGM Randy Jagar
RWSGW Jim H Baker
RWJGW George Rusk
WSGD Michael Dale
WJGD Leigh Creighton
Please direct all articles and correspondence to: WSGS Roger Biede III Bryon P. Howe 14247 North 25th Avenue Phoenix Arizona 85023 bryon.howe@gmail.com For submissions for the next issue of Arizona Masonry or The Copper Post please contact Azgl.editor@gmail.com
WJGS Eric DuPree
Front Cover Image Courtesy of: WB Bo Buchanan Arizona Lodge #2
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Brothers, I bring you greetings from the middle of Arizona! First, I would like to say thank you to all of you for the honor of electing me to the Grand East. I will do my best to help you all move Masonry in Arizona forward during these peculiar times. I hope you are all staying safe and comfortable this summer. I also want you to join me in praying for the monsoon’s to finally show up. Here in Prescott it has been basically non-existent and things are really drying out.
established? Is it a picnic? An outdoor degree? Sitting in a circle at a park, keeping 6 feet apart of course, and just visiting? Down south you guys would have to do that at low twelve. So get creative! FigIn the last edition of Arizona Masonry I let you ure out what will know about my theme for this year, “Brothers Being work for you indiBrothers”. With the pandemic and restrictions on vidually or for your our abilities to have activities we are going to have to Lodge. But remember, you must follow all of the esadjust what I wanted to accomplish this year. Several tablished guidelines and rules if you are going to get of the ideas that I put forward can still be attained, it together. may just be in a different way than what I had in mind. The concept really does not need to change. In closing I ask you all to take the time to check And at this time we need to make an even greater on each other and stay safe. If you are able, help out effort to take care of each other, our families and our in any way that you can. And since you are all stuck Masonic Family. at home this is a perfect time to work on your ritual! Maybe in June we can recognize a whole group of Instead of the concept of bringing a Brother to you as Master Ritualists. Lodge, we can call, visit, or meet with them online. I know that several meetings over the last five months have occurred online. I also know that this is not the Fraternally, same and we can not complete some of our work in this format, but we can still visit or check up on Brothers in this way. And maybe as we work our way Grand Master 2020-2021 through this pandemic we can use this format for education and social events to keep each other from going stir crazy if we are stuck in our homes.
Boyd Robertson
We also will have to get creative. The scientific world is still trying to figure this out and they are saying that being outdoors is safer than staying confined. So how do you coordinate an event outside and still maintain the guidelines that are ARIZONA MASONRY—A GRAND LODGE OF ARIZONA F&AM PUBLICATION Q3 2020
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Brethren, I bring you warm Fraternal greetings from the Grand North East.
to earn respect from others. This virtue describes both the Several issues back, I began discussing the LIGHT Divine laws and those acronym that embodies the teachings I have received from of a civil society, so it Freemasonry. (L)iving (I)n (G)race, (H)onor, (T)ruth – for allows me to align my me, these few words help to guide my actions every day. actions with God, Last time I discussed the idea of Living in Grace, so this man, and the local time I will focus on Living in Honor. magistrate. In the context of the LIGHT acronym, Living in If we are effec-
Honor means maintaining a high sense of awareness for what I believe to be right. For me, this definition revolves around the virtues also taught to me by Freemasonry: Temperance, Fortitude, Prudence, and Justice. Temperance reminds me to hold in moderation my actions, thoughts, and feelings. As a person with an acute sense of humor and sarcasm, this often consists of trying to at least think about what I am going to say prior the words escaping from my mouth. It is certainly easier to cancel a thought than it is to retract words that have been misinterpreted by the recipient. Lasting perceptions can be formed by first impressions that were tainted by harsh or careless words that were “meant to be funny.”
tively applying the
LIGHT acronym in our daily lives, we serve as good examples to all of those who we encounter on a regular basis. It may be what singles us out from others. It may be what makes a positive impression on someone who we meet. It may be what makes a difference in society. Does this mean that changes can or should happen overnight? Definitely not!
Consistent improvement and application of these principles is what counts. For my fellow math nerds out Fortitude reminds me to have a strong will when I am there, I was recently reminded that 1.00365 = 1.00, but faced with danger, pain, or opposition. When faced with 1.01365 = 37.78. Simply put…even a fraction of improveopposition, it is easy to quiet down or “go with the flow.” ment everyday can make a significant difference. Keep However, if “the flow” is clearly moving in the wrong diworking my Brothers! rection…I should be the opposition! Unfortunately, I have encountered many people that interpret this idea to mean I look forward to seeing you all in Lodge again very that only their way of thinking is right, and it is not neces- soon! sary for them to listen to any other viewpoints. My reply to Fraternally this idea is…back to temperance. We must be willing to listen to opposition for us to determine whether it is the wrong path. Who among us is always right?
Randy Jager
Prudence reminds me to govern and discipline myself by using reason. Calmly considering what causes me to drift out of LIGHT at times, allows me to realize my
Deputy Grand Master 2020-2021
tendencies and weaknesses. Only by recognizing those shortcomings can I effectively try to correct them. Disciplining myself without using reason can lead to overreactions that only serve to make matters worse. Justice serves as the moral principle determining what just conduct means to me. Justice is the standard or definition of right. Justice can symbolize equality, which teaches me that I should treat others as I would expect them to treat me. I try to show respect wherever it is due, and I try
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Brethren,
130 and was raised September 23, I have been procrastinating and occasionally pon1857. He was also a dering about what to write an article about this month famous theater actor and picked up the "Emessay Notes" from the June and because of that and July editions published by the Masonic Service vast knowledge and Association of North America. There were two short experience he unarticles that stood out that I would like to share with derstood the esyou. sence of the tragedy. The first is a message from Virginia Grand Mas- Here is how Brothter Douglas Vernon Jones to the craft. He wrote that er Booth evaluated the Hiramic tragepart of life is looking for answers surrounding the dy. human condition and the good and really tough things that can and most assuredly do happen in life. "In all my research and study; in all my close analysis of the masSome answers will never come. That is the way terpiece of Shakespeare, in my earnest determination life is. Success and failure, experience and hard to make those plays appear real on the mimic stage, I knocks are among our greatest teachers. It is in the simple and profound moments of everyday life that have never, and nowhere, met a tragedy so real, so so often offer up the answers for which we are look- sublime, so magnificent as the legend of Hiram. It is ing, sometimes even before we have the question in substance without shadow-the manifest destiny of life which requires no picture and scarcely a word to the first place. make a lasting impression upon all who understand. To me, it comes down to this: listen patiently and To be Worshipful Master, and to throw my whole soak in those simple and profound things that hapsoul into that work, with the candidate for my audipen around you every day, immerse yourself in good ence and the Lodge for my stage, would be a greater books, especially the Bible, Do not neglect art, mu- personal distinction than to receive the plaudits of sic, conversation with smart people or those who pos- people in the theaters of the world. ses wisdom; do this and the answers will come. Brothers, look for those profound moments and From my perspective, the message is this: as Ma- words of wisdom that surround us in our everyday sons we have the tools to transform the ordinary into life. Share those moments with your Brethren and the extraordinary. The values we embrace, such as encourage them to seek them out in their everyday loyalty, kindness, love and faithfulness are values lives. Remember to embrace the lessons taught conwhich resonate with American men. If we want to see cerning the seven liberal arts and sciences in the Felour lodges survive and thrive for the long-term, we lowcraft degree. In the ritual work of the fraternity, need to understand there is nothing wrong with our we owe it to our candidates to throw our soul into product, but instead, it is the method of our delivery delivering a meaningful and profound degree, a dethat needs work. gree that leaves a lasting impression on the candidate. The degree work is not only for the candidate, it is The second article is a short evaluation of the for all who confer the degree as well as all in attendHiramic tragedy from Edwin Booth the brother of ance. John Wilkes Booth who shot President Abraham Lincoln. Edwin Booth was not close with his brother and their political points of view differed greatly. Edwin was a brother Mason of New York Lodge No.
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Thank you for the vote of confidence in electing me Senior Grand Warden. I will strive to work in the best interest of Freemasonry in Arizona.
Jim H Baker Senior Grand Warden 2020-2021
Gila Valley Masonic Lodge #9
Brethren All, We send greetings from your Grand Lodge Service Center. Mike, Jim, Jim and George are working to keep all the Lodges updated and helping resolve your situations and concerns. We are also working on the new Grandview Membership Data System. When everything is ready to roll out we will communicate with all the Lodges the process that will be used to bring each Lodge on board. We will hold regional sessions as needed to assist every Lodge to become comfortable to the new system. Many things will change from the way we have been doing Lodge reporting and record keeping. We ask that each Lodge be supportive of the change and help us help you become masters of the new system. We would like to request that all Lodge Secretaries get in touch with any Brother that you do not have current phone numbers or email address for. There are many blank phone and email records in the Grand Lodge data base. If there are out of state Brothers please send them a letter or post card requesting the information. For the Brothers that are reading this article please check with your Lodge Secretary to see if your information is correct and current. Sincerely and Fraternally,
Your Grand Lodge Support Team ARIZONA MASONRY—A GRAND LODGE OF ARIZONA F&AM PUBLICATION Q3 2020
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Thank you, brethren, for entrusting me with the office bottles, barrels; the of Junior Grand Warden. I promise to fulfil my duties to glasses, cannon; and the liquor, powthe best of my abilities and earn your favor. der” (Darrah, 1954, Throughout this Masonic year, when we meet, I will p. 182). An important be sharing with you the Most Worshipful Grand Master’s piece of furniture was message of “Brothers Being Brothers”. I encourage you to the Mason’s glass or read well the Grand Master’s paper published on the drinking cup which Grand Lodge website and chose one of his bulletin points had a very thick botof action as a goal. tom. The purpose was to allow brothers In my correspondences this year I will discuss the to drink to each othfollowing subjects: 1) Is your lodge running efficiently, 2) er’s health and then Is Freemasonry visible in your community, and 3) Educapound the table with tion for growth. This three-fold commentary is an effort to the cup. help lodges and masons stay active and informed. Before we dive into the first two subjects, I will share with you my Eventually Freemasonry became a pioneering influinsight into the position of Junior Warden, its history, its ence in temperance. A steady reminder of masonic ethics symbolic representations, and esoteric meanings. by its leaders guided Freemasonry to evolve from what some considered a meal and drink- oriented association to The Junior Warden’s (JW) Jewel of Office, as we all an “institution of strong moral force seeking the elevation know, is the Plumb, a symbol of upright moral behavior. of human mind and the cultivation of social virtues” (p. In lodge one of the JW duties is ensuring the brethren do 188). not indulge in excess. In ancient times (and some modern times) this was meant to make sure they did not overly References Darrah, D. (1954). History and Evolution partake in libations because lodge meetings most likely of Freemasonry. Chicago: The Charles T. Powner Co. were held in taverns. Today a similar duty may apply to Fraternally, remind the brethren of their conduct outside of the lodge, in public, and on social media. We should accept the responsibility that the public record of our thoughts and actions are as pure and spotless as that distinguished Junior Grand Warden 2020-2021 badge of which we were presented.
George Rusk
When we dig deeper into the charges of the JW and early Freemasonry we understand the reasoning for a lodge officer to be responsible for the behavior of the lodge members. When the United Grand Lodge of England was formed in 1717, it was formed at Goose and Gridiron Ale House. American Lodges continued the tradition of meeting in taverns including the first lodge in the new world in Boston meeting at the Bunch of Grapes Tavern. Many Lodges participated in table lodges or festive boards (and many continue the practice) which involve many toasts. Records can be found of fines levied by early lodges (1750’s) to members who used foul language, drank, or smoked too much. Celebratory masonic events became so common that the fraternity renamed tavern furniture and a fine of a bottle of wine was imposed if an article was called by its proper name. “The table was called a workshop, the chairs, stalls; the candles, stars; the
Oriental Masonic Lodge #20
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The definition of professionalism as by MerriamWebster is the conduct, aims, or qualities that characterize or mark a profession or professional person. Professionalism is being an expert and specializing in the knowledge of ones professionalism of their practice. A Mason is measured by his ability to do his job successfully, tactfully, and professionally. Being a professional at everything you do will help you succeed in every aspect of your life. Freemasons are considered professionals. How we learn, subdue our passions, and even improve ourselves in Masonry make us the elite fraternal force we are. Professionalism is about being highly motivated and doing what is asked of you and following through with whatever is asked of you to do. Also showing up early and being on time, in the right uniform (for your lodge) or look like you are ready for whatever task may be assigned to you. As well as looking up to and following Masonic Values at all times no matter what the situation. Being professional also means that you are being in the right place at the right time, doing exactly what is right physically, morally as well as ethically. Being a professional in the Masonic Fraternity means that everything is done by first impression to the way that you work, the way you handle yourself and the way you handle different situations that may arise. Professionalism also has to do with your motivation and how well you perform the tasks at hand and the different jobs that need to be completed but also knowing what you are doing and how things need to be done when it comes to the task at hand as well as other circumstances. Professionalism also means that one is able to be emotionally intelligent as well as highly observant; some individuals need to pay attention and be well aware of what is going on around them and their lodge as well as having the ability to be an acYuma Masonic Lodge # 17
tive listeners and multi task at the same time. Meaning that when you are doing one task that needs to be completed and someone else needs your advice, your help or your opinion, you are able to actively listen to what is being asked and act upon it. In any profession there are many attributes accompanied with professionalism. In the Masonic Fraternity, like all professional jobs, in order to be successful experience, communication, and moral ethics will make any individual succeed. Experience can help save time and effort. Learning from ones past mistakes and accomplishments can be very valuable in any lodge setting. Being able to effectively communicate is key. As a Mason knowing what to say and how to get into people’s minds can prove to help a great deal in a Lodge setting. Ethics is knowing the difference between right and wrong from good from bad, this is what being a professional is. Every single person’s morals and values of life are different. To me professionalism means to lead by example, to try your best and give it your all no matter who is watching. As well as to put in the time and effort, to act on your best behavior and to get any task presented to you done giving one hundred percent. These are all traits of what professionalism means to me. No matter if you are an Entered Apprentice or a Past Grand Master. Being a professional within the Masonic Fraternity is the standard we all should live by.
Fraternally,
Michael Dale Senior Grand Deacon 2020-2021
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As many of the readers of this magazine already know, I retired from the US Army with 24 plus years of service in both the enlisted and officer ranks. During most of my career there was an emphasis on leadership – from the smallest unit, a squad during basic training, to the largest, a field army during Command and General Staff College. So of course, there was a field manual, Department of the Army FM22-100, which lays out 11 timeless principles of leadership. These were developed in 1948 and first published in the field manual in 1951, still being taught today more than 70 years later. So, what are these timeless principles and how do they apply to Free and Accepted Masonry? I will not attempt to align all 11 of the principles with the leadership requirements of today’s Worshipful Masters and Wardens who are the leaders of our lodges. There are also other leaders besides the pedestal officers – the brother who is good at ritual but does not seek progression, the Past Masters with their wealth of knowledge and experience, the brother who is not very good at ritual but is often the first to volunteer for other duties. Some of these 11 principles have an obvious connection to Masonry and these will be explored here.
Know yourself and seek self-improvement. The clear masonic tie is the second part – seek selfimprovement. As Masons we are in search of light, to seek a better understanding of ourselves and to become better men and serve our country, our neighbors and ourselves. “Knowing yourself allows you to discover your strengths and weaknesses. Selfimprovement is a process of sustaining strengths and overcoming weaknesses…”.
struggle to put together a fully functional funeral team. A leader in a blue lodge will take on these additional requirements and become proficient in them.
Set the example. The first thing that comes to my mind is personal appearance. Certainly, an unkempt appearance does not engender a feeling of admiration in onlookers. A leader in a lodge does not have to wear a tuxedo or even a suit and tie. Whatever the norms of the lodge are, be it jeans and a polo or a tuxedo, the good leader should present himself in clean attire and well-groomed. This principle goes beyond the superficial. The leader who is not prepared to fulfill his position requirements, who does not know his assigned ritual, who is tardy, who uses sarcasm, who is not open to new ideas, who is disrespectful, who does not take responsibility, who demonstrates a lack of integrity, does not therefore set the example for others to follow and consequently will, in all likelihood, not succeed.
Keep your people informed. An effective leader
will communicate with his subordinates, will let them know why they are doing something. This will help them make good decisions themselves, enhance their morale, encourage initiative and improve teamwork. In my lifetime President Ronald Reagan was known as the “Great Communicator”, not because people Be technically and tactically proficient. The reagreed with him or his politics, but because he was quirements for progression in the lodge officer line able to talk to people, not down to them or over their are well known and relatively simple. A brother must heads. He used simple language always with an optiopen, confer and close all 3 degrees and must be mistic positive approach. He was able to make the proficient in one of the degree lectures. Is this American public feel good about themselves and enough? In my humble opinion it is not. There are their future. He also regularly held “fireside chats” many other parts to the degrees – the charges, the and other public appearances to present his vision. apron presentation, the various roles in the Fellowcraft and Master Mason degrees. Many lodges ARIZONA MASONRY—A GRAND LODGE OF ARIZONA F&AM PUBLICATION Q3 2020
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Make sound and timely decisions. Effective “leaders must assess situations rapidly and make sound decisions.” They must know when to decide for themselves, when to seek advice before deciding and when to let others decide. Leaders must know the factors to consider when deciding how, when and if to make decisions. Good decisions made at the right time are better than the best decisions made too late. Avoiding a decision, equivocating, hesitancy, reversals of decisions will create confusion and a loss of confidence in the leader. I would add one more principle of leadership that is not in FM22-100 and that is:
Praise in public, counsel in private. No brother Mason should be held up to public chastisement for behavior that a leader finds inappropriate. The action that requires remediation or correction should be pointed out to the brother in private and simultaneously the brother should be counseled on why the behavior or action was not Masonic in character and what future behavior should be. Likewise, when a brother or group of brothers has been found to accomplish something of worth then that recognition should be in public. We celebrate our achievements together and use these occasions to honor our brothers’ accomplishments.
Leigh Creighton Junior Grand Deacon 2020-2021
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A good friend of mine operates a company out of Uganda named “Ubuntu” which is usually translated as, “I am because of who we are.” To explain, retired Archbishop and social rights activist Desmond Tutu believes that Ubuntu is the very essence of what it is to be human. “You can’t be human all by yourself, and when you have this quality—Ubuntu—you are known for your generosity. We think of ourselves far too frequently as just individuals, separated from one another, whereas you are connected and what you do affects the whole World. When you do well, it spreads out; it is for the whole of humanity.”
In response to Raynor's expressions of gratitude, pointing to the Masonic pin on Raynor's shirt, Lemon replied, "I can only hope to get the same treatment from your men if I ever fall into their hands. If you will relieve the distresses of a suffering Could a collective of goodness be one of many accurate Brother Mason when descriptions of Masonry? One of the universal characteris- in your power, I shall tics of Masonry is Charity. It has been said that “The Ma- be well paid." Lemon sonic Way is to give without remembering and to receive then mounted his horse and rode away. The next mornwithout forgetting.” ing Raynor was removed to a barn that contained 20 other Union officers, and he learned the full extent of the ConOne of the first acts of Masonic Charity to occur in federate victory. the American Civil War occurred at the First Battle of Manassas or Bull Run on July 21st, 1861. This act was A Mason’s Charity does not only extend toward those reported in the Boston Masonic Monthly which started in the Craft. publishing in November 1863, and was edited by E. L. Mitchell. The earliest surviving Masonic documents, “Old Charges” or “Gothic Constitutions,” dating from 1390 to the 18th Colonel W.H. Raynor of the 1st Ohio left his comcentury, outline a masons’ duties to his God, his master, mand and in the company of two sergeants went to fetch his family and society in general. Dr. James Anderson water at a nearby creek. Suddenly, as they neared the condensed these ideals into the preface of the 1723 stream, they heard the yell that eventually became known “Book of Constitutions.” In operative terms, the “Old as the Rebel Yell and the thundering hoofs of hundreds of Charges” called on the stone masons to assist a strange horses. A horseman fired his pistol at Raynor and missed mason with up to two weeks’ work and lodging. In specuand then as he passed by struck Raynor with his sabre. lative terms, they directed masons to aid the needy and act Lights flashed through Raynor's brain and he fell to the with charity toward all mankind. ground senseless looking almost dead. Early that evening the Southern wounded from the front were being treated at the junction in a stable. Raynor was taken first to a surgeon who refused to treat him because he was a Yankee and who said that he had enough others to take care of from his own army. Finally another more compassionate surgeon was found and his wounds were taken care of. He was made as comfortable as possible. His guard, J.H. Lemon of Radford's Cavalry truly acted the part of the good Samaritan. Lemon somewhere found some ice and put it on the pounding head of Raynor and inquired if Raynor needed any money.
How is charity toward all mankind a part of your life? Do you strive to make a difference in the lives of your fellow man? The eyes of the World are upon us, and we are ambassadors for our Fraternity. Our words and actions should show that upon becoming a Master Mason we have indeed become better men. Be the stellar example, the World needs it, especially now!
Fraternally,
Roger Biede III Senior Grand Steward 2020-2021
Gila Valley Masonic Lodge #9
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In the first degree of Masonry we are given Tools and lessons to help us erect our Future superstructure and spiritual building. As we advance through the degrees of Masonry it may be easy to forget those tools and implements which are meant to help make us better men. One of those tools the common gavel which is an instrument made use of by operative Masons to break off the rough and superfluous parts of stone the better to fit them for builder’s use. We are also taught the perfect points of entrance of which the lesson of prudence comes to mind. Prudence teaches us to regulate our lives and actions agreeably to the dictates of reason. It implies that we will use sound judgement and self-control in all matters and decisions we make in life
everyday affairs, at home, work or with our brother Masons? Are we tolerant of others while on social media outlets, where it is so easy to let emotions get the best of us? This is a question we all must answer for ourselves.
My challenge for all brothers during this time of unIf we look at news stations and social media, we certainty, is to recan see that our country is divided more than ever. member the tools Seeing this made me realize that we need Freemaand lessons you sonry more than ever in these turbulent times. I have were taught when seen families split up and brothers at each other over you were first made differences of opinions on political and nonpolitical a Mason. Work on issues. Seeing the divide among brothers made me perfecting your ashlook within and wonder if I was squaring my ashlar lar, remain prudent and remaining tolerant of others who thought differ- with your actions ently than me. and your dealing with others, and alI recently read an article that I shared with my ways think before brothers. The article was about tolerance in the Mayou act by exercising sonic lodge. The dictionary describes tolerance as the tolerance. ability or willingness to tolerate something, the existence of opinions or behavior that one does not necessarily agree with. The article proposed that a MaFraternally, son should be one who should tolerate opinions difEric DuPree ferent than his own. He should also be prepared to Junior Grand defend another’s right to have a differing opinion. Steward 2020-2021 Have we as Masons been practicing tolerance in our Tucson's Downtown Masonic Lodge #86
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Opened & Dedicated 1959
1959. Because of the restoration and rehabilitation work done by the Tombstone Restoration CommisBy Charles R. Eatherly sion, Tombstone Courthouse State Historic Park was Cochise County was created by a vote of the citizens in ready to open to the public and was Arizona’s first op1881 with Tombstone serving as its county seat. The erational State Park. Dell Lamb was the first Park two-story courthouse, designed in the Victorian style, Manager. was constructed of red brick in 1882. The courthouse, The Tombstone Restoration Commission transferred a splendid example of territorial architecture, contin- ownership of a lot across the street and east of the ued to serve as a county facility until 1931 when the Courthouse to the Park Board on April 4, 1960. This county seat was moved to Bisbee. The City of Tomb- lot has been continually been used for visitor parking. stone leased the courthouse building until the County The old Law Offices located across the street and transferred it to the City on January 5, 1942. The City north of the Courthouse were acquired by State Parks leased the building to the Tombstone Restoration on January 12, 1973. State Parks negotiated a lease for Commission, and they restored the first floor and the property under the Courthouse from the mining opened the building to the public in 1956. company in 1981. The Agency continued to lease the Mrs. Edna Landin, President of the Tombstone Restoration Commission, brought the proposal of making the Tombstone Courthouse a State Park to the attention of the State Parks Board shortly after the legislation passed creating Arizona State Parks. In April of 1958, Mrs. Landin and several members of the Tombstone Restoration Commission attended a meeting of the Parks Board in Tubac to advise the Board that the City of Tombstone would donate the property if the Parks Board accepted it as a State Park.
property until it was purchased on January 25, 1994. The last parcel acquired for the Park was the Ed Schieffelin Monument site located 3 miles north and west of the City. This property was donated to State Parks on December 31, 2003.
The State Parks Board tentatively accepted the Tombstone Courthouse as a State Park pending acceptable agreement between the City of Tombstone, the Tombstone Restoration Commission, and the Parks Board. During the process of transferring the property, it was learned that the City of Tombstone did not own the land under the Courthouse as that land had originally been leased to the County for 99 years. The agreement was finalized and the City transferred the courthouse, its contents and the remainder of the 99year lease on the property to the Board on August 1,
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In 1717 four Lodges in London met together and decided to form a Grand Lodge, possibly for no other reason than to strengthen and preserve themselves. In 1723 they adopted a Constitution. Their success led to the establishment of still other Grand Lodges. In 1725 some of the Lodges in Ireland formed a Grand Lodge and a similar body was instituted in Scotland in 1736. Moreover the original Grand Lodge in England did not remain without rivals, and at one time in the eighteenth century three Grand Lodges existed in England in addition to the one organized in 1717. Two of these died out without influencing the history of Masonry in general, but the third had a great part in the spread and popularizing of Masonry throughout the world. It called itself the Ancient Grand Lodge. The two surviving Grand Lodges were long and vigorous rivals, but they finally united in 1813 into the present United Grand Lodge of England. Thus, from one of these two Grand Bodies in England, or from those of Ireland or Scotland, all other Grand Lodges in the world today are descended. Titles of Grand Lodges in the United States also vary. Some Grand Lodges are called A. F. & A. M. which means Ancient Free and Accepted Masons. The most commonly used title, like that used in Arizona, is F. & A. M., or Free and Accepted Masons. Masonry was established in France sometime between 1718 and 1725. The first lodge in Spain was established in 1728. A lodge was established in Prague in 1729, in Calcutta in 1728 and in Naples in 1731. Masonry came to Poland in 1734 and Sweden in 1735.
The growth of Freemasonry and its ideals and beliefs came not without opposition. Masons are taught that all men are equal - We meet upon the level. Individual freedom of thought and action, as well as morality and ethics, are the concepts and ideals upon which our order is founded. The teachings are a condemnation of autocratic government, who in turn condemn Freemasonry.