Oklahoma Masonic History by T.S. Akers

Pictured here in the 1960s is the Mark Master degree team of Cyrus Chapter No. 7, Royal Arch Masons, exemplifying the dedication to ritual excellence that has long distinguished Oklahoma Masonry.

Royal Arch Masonry occupies a unique and important place in the Masonic journey, completing the story begun in the Craft degrees and revealing lessons concerning faithfulness, perseverance, and the recovery of that which was lost. Through its ceremonies, generations of Masons have gained a deeper understanding of the principles and traditions of the fraternity.

This remarkable photograph captures the Pass and Review of the Grand Commandery Knights Templar of Oklahoma in Muskogee during the 1960s. Sir Knights from across the jurisdiction assembled in full regalia, demonstrating the pageantry, discipline, and traditions that have long distinguished the Order.

Adding to the spectacle was the Bedouin Shrine Band, whose field music accompanied the procession and lent a stirring soundtrack to the occasion. Images such as this preserve a time when large public displays of Masonic and Templar fellowship were a familiar sight, reminding us of the rich heritage passed down by those who came before us.

Few Oklahoma Masons have left a legacy as enduring as Henry Lowndes Muldrow. From serving as the last Grand Master of Indian Territory and the first Grand Master of Oklahoma to helping establish the Masonic Home, the Masonic Charity Foundation, and the Masonic Dormitory at the University of Oklahoma, his influence shaped generations of Oklahoma Masonry.

Learn more about this remarkable Brother and his contributions to our Fraternity in the comments below.

What treasures are hidden in the history of Oklahoma Templary?

This article explores a remarkable relic preserved by Lawton Commandery No. 18 — a Knight Templar sword connected to General John J. Pershing. It is a fascinating glimpse into the rich history preserved within our Commanderies and a reminder that the artifacts of our fraternity often tell extraordinary stories.

Read the full article and discover one of Oklahoma's unique Templar treasures. Link in the comments.

Jerry Gammill, a collector of all things Guthrie, recently reached out with some questions about the Masonic Children's Home. He rescued the old metal sign that marked the entrance to the Home for many years and intends to restore it. Looking forward to seeing the finished result.

One of the most remarkable examples of Oklahoma Freemasonry in action was the Masonic Children’s Home. Established through decades of dedication and sacrifice, the Home provided shelter, education, vocational training, and a sense of family to hundreds of children who found themselves in need.

From its beginnings in Indian Territory to its final home in Guthrie, the story of the Masonic Children’s Home reflects the Masonic commitment to Relief—not merely as a principle, but as a living practice.

To explore the history of the Home, the lives it touched, and the lasting legacy of a charitable institution that served Oklahoma’s children for generations, check the comments below for a link.

This past Saturday, I had the privilege of being received into the Royal Order of Scotland in ceremonies held in Dallas under the auspices of the The Provincial Grand Lodge, USA.

Tradition holds that the Royal Order of Scotland was established in 1314 by Robert the Bruce when he conferred knighthoods on Freemasons who aided his victory at the Battle of Bannockburn. As such, the Royal Order of Scotland also exists as a civic order of knighthood, claiming the King of Scots as its hereditary Grand Master. Owing to this, the current hereditary Grand Master is King Charles III of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.

Decoration Day, rooted in the “Flowering Sunday” traditions of Southern Wales and later carried through Appalachia into eastern Oklahoma, remains a meaningful Southern custom of remembrance. Families and church communities gather each spring to clean cemeteries, place flowers on graves, and honor loved ones who have passed.

While Decoration Day officially became Memorial Day in 1971, the two traditions are not quite the same. Memorial Day honors those lost in military service, while Decoration Day is a broader tradition of family remembrance, fellowship, and honoring all departed loved ones.

To remember the men who have led the Scottish Rite of Freemasonry in Oklahoma, please consider visiting the "Virtual Cemetery" found in the comments below this Spring.

Image: The final resting place of William Busby, Sovereign Grand Inspector General, at Oakwood Cemetery of Parsons, Kansas.

As May draws to a close, we are reminded of the old and meaningful tradition of Decoration Day, a custom with roots in Flowering Sunday, once observed in Southern Wales and nearby regions of England. On Palm Sunday, families would gather to decorate the graves of loved ones with flowers in remembrance and affection.

Carried across the Atlantic into Southern Appalachia, the tradition evolved into Decoration Day and followed the routes of westward migration into eastern Oklahoma and throughout the American South. Often observed during the month of May, these gatherings included cemetery cleaning, floral tributes, memorial services, and the reunion of families and church communities.

Although Decoration Day officially became Memorial Day in 1971, the two observances are not entirely the same. Memorial Day honors those who died in military service, while Decoration Day remains a more personal and communal act of remembrance—an occasion to gather on a Sunday, place flowers upon the graves of loved ones, and honor the memory of those who came before us.

To remember the men who have led Craft Masonry in the state of Oklahoma, please consider visiting the "Virtual Cemetery" found in the comments below this Spring.

Image: The final resting place of Past Grand Master Henry L. Muldrow, 1909-1910. Located at the IOOF Cemetery of Norman.

As May unfolds, many communities across Oklahoma and the South continue the old tradition of Decoration Day, a custom with roots in Flowering Sunday in Southern Wales. Carried through Appalachia and westward migration, families would gather to clean cemeteries, decorate graves with flowers, and remember loved ones together.

Though Decoration Day officially became Memorial Day in 1971, the two are not quite the same. Memorial Day honors those lost in military service, whilst Decoration Day remains a broader tradition of family remembrance, fellowship, and memorial observance.

To remember the men who have led Templary in Oklahoma, please consider visiting the "Virtual Cemetery" found in the comments below this Spring.

Image: The final resting place of James F. Elliott, Grand Commander of Knights Templar (I.T.) 1907-1908. Located at Oak Hill Memorial Park of McAlester.