Pleasant Lodge

In the year 1852, the State of Indiana had been a member of the Union for the brief period of thirty-six years. The city of Indianapolis was a town of some 8,000 people and the roads of the county were being planned and laid out. The railroad was a new means of transportation but those who traveled did so mostly by horses and wagons. To accommodate... such travel a few important roads were being built throughout the country. One of these highways was the Old Michigan Road. This main north-south route extended from Madison in the southeast corner of the state to Michigan City in the northwest corner of the State. In the area where this Michigan Road crossed the Marion-Shelby county lines about 15 miles southeast of Indianapolis, lay the prosperous village of Pleasant View. In 1852, it was a growing community on an important stage line and contained several industries and businesses as well as a number of homes. It was here in this community that Pleasant Lodge had its beginning. The date of the Charter was May 26, 1852 and for seven years the lodge met in the Isaac Larrison home in Pleasant View. These were the days when railroads were being built in Central Indiana, and when the rails were laid a short distance to the south, the Lodge moved to the new community of Farmersville, now called Acton. This was in the year 1859. Fire destroyed the Lodge building on Sept. 19, 1873 along with the Lodge equipment and the Masonic records. During the following months, the Brothers met in the Acton school, while work was being carried forward on a new brick Lodge Hall. At the beginning it was estimated that the new building would cost $5,300 but the contract was let and the building was completed for $4,000. The bricks purchased cost the Brothers $1.75 per 1,000, while a well sunk in front of the Hall was put down for the magnificent sum of $26.70. This cost included labor, brick, pump and everything complete. In the early 1950s, with increased membership and the need for more room a new Lodge Hall was built at 7525 Acton ...Read More