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The second fraternal organization to form in Alliance, Nebraska was that of the Masons. A preliminary meeting was held in November of 1888, in the second story of the wooden building on the north side of west Third Street in Alliance, which was used as a cream station. Word was sent out and about all the Masons living in Box Butte County assembled in this small hall and selected a committee to secure a dispensation from the Grand lodge of the state. This petition was signed by the requisite number of Master Masons in good standing. Reverend Henry J. Brown, a Presbyterian minister hitched his two horse tandem to a high wheeled cart, and he and Thomas Shurtz drove to Hay Springs and secured the approval of that lodge. This petition was presented to the Grand Lodge and a dispensation issued in January, 1889, authorizing Alliance Lodge to confer degrees. The first officers were: Henry J Brown, Worshipful Master; John Carman, Senior Warden; David Peters, Junior Warden; J. W. Phillips, Secretary; and H. W. Axtell, Treasurer. In July, 1889, a charter was granted and the name of Alliance Lodge No. 183, A. F. & A. M , assigned, which has had a continuous existence since that time, and has grown to a membership of over three hundred and fifty, owns and occupies a fine three story temple at the corner of Laramie Avenue and Third Street in Alliance, which is also used by, Aloyah Chapter No. 185, Order of the Eastern Star, and Adoniram Lodge No. 6 Scottish Rite Masons. Meetings are the second Tuesday of each month at 7:30pm
The temple is located at 123 W. 3rd; Alliance NE. Phone number is 308-762-4324
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